Shakira shakes up Plymout

THE power of the Colombian bombshell, Shakira, could not be contained during her performance at the Plymouth Jazz Festival on Saturday night. In fact, she sucked the power right out of the electricity supply,running to the stage while singing and shaking her hips to "Don't Bother". But the barefooted Shakira was no diva about the situation. "These things happen," she said. "Let's pretend that we finished that last song and I am going to make it up to you. The power could go, but I am not going anywhere."

Shakira continued to chat freely with the sold out audience, endearing herself to many, while waiting for the electricity supply to be fully restored. "Please wait for me okay? Don't go anywhere. We're fixing it." She continued into "La Pared" and thanked the audience for their patience. Several costume changes later, Shakira left patrons mesmerised with her belly dancing skills. She seemed to be having as much fun as those she came to entertain, including President George Maxwell Richards, his wife Jean Ramjohn-Richards, their daughter Maxine, Local Government Minister Hazel Manning (sans her husband, Prime Minister Patrick Manning), Attorney General Bridgid Annisette-George and sacked Trade and Industry Minister and Diego Martin West MP Dr Keith Rowley.

Working members of the local and international media, however, were hustled away from the front of the stage, where chairs were provided for them on Saturday, and told by festival officials to go into the general admission area some 800 feet away. Reporters and photographers were told that Shakira's management had a problem with the group remaining in that area after the "three-song" limit allowed for shooting photographs. Oddly enough, though, many people, including children standing on the chairs in the same area, were allowed to remain. One of them was even recording the event with the use of a video camera - an act that was strictly prohibited by the promoters. It turned out that this group of people comprised family and friends of a CL Financial official. Notwithstanding, the show went on and the artistes were well received by the crowd.

British reggae group, Steel Pulse, created quite an impact with their driving rhythms and lyrics which tackled many political and social issues. The group made a name for itself with hits such as "Life Without Music", "Africans Unite", "Earth Crisis", "Steppin' Out" and "Taxi Driver".

R&B group En Vogue - the 18th most successful act of the 1990s (according to Billboard magazine) - also continued their comeback trail. The group, backed by pre-recorded music and not by live musicians, was well coordinated with superb vocal harmonies and well-executed choreography. Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones and Dawn Robinson performed, for about 40 minutes, their songs which won them several awards, including "Hold On", "Free Your Mind", "Don't Let Go", "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" and "Whatta Man". Soca vibes were aplenty with Roy Cape All Stars featuring Blaxx, Olatunji Yearwood and Trini Jacobs. The festival ended last night with performances by Whitney Houston and Rod Stewart.

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