For $30.00 you could have seen the best of Bermuda's entertainers at Club Azure last Sunday working for a very worthy cause.

What is more you would have got more than your money's worth; Gene Steede, Bootsie, Shine Hayward, Hubert Smith, Stan Gilbert, Ronnie Lopes, Dennis Fox, Vic Glazer, George Simons, Deletta Gillespie, Sheila Smith,Tony Bari, Mike Perinchief and other notables turned up and turned it on for one of their own, George W. Smith, whose benefit it was.

Hard working bassist Stan Gilbert and sidemen Dennis Fox and Ronnie Lopes kicked off the set which was MC'd alternately by Cousin Juicy Simons and Big Daddy Gates. Vic Glazer took over the keyboards and Sheila Smith took the microphone, highlighting a Glazier composition `When I'll Stop Loving You'.

(Glazier donated part proceeds from his new CD which was on sale at the entrance to the fund).

George Simons, with Bently Burgess and Vernon Tucker Jr. continued as the room filled to capacity.

All 350 tickets sold and there was an overflow that the bar eagerly catered to, while in the back of the stage, and in the wings, musicians waiting to come on milled around, catching up and swapping anecdotes.

Princine Bailey revealed she is also a formidable singer, too, with her rendition of `Endless love'.

George Smith's talented nephew Dean put in one of his all too rare appearances. This singer comes by his voice and stage aplomb honestly, and he delighted the capacity audience with a short set that ended with `One In A Million', the crowd loudly showing its appreciation.

Veteran Hubert Smith performed his compositions including `Bermuda Is Another World' and the lovely `Gina' -- an under-performed gem.

Ron Lightbourne sang `My Pal George', which he wrote especially for the concert.

There was a Devonshire Academy reunion of sorts, when former faculty member Shine Hayward teamed up with former students, tap-dancer Mitchell Trott and guitarist Desmond Smith.

Another former academy performing arts alumnus, Chanelle Simons turned out with Antonio `Jug Head' Dill's trio Extacyx, along with Rokeisha Binns, the two ladies an engaging duo in black and leopard skin outfits. This combo had couples out of their seats and onto the dance floor moving to the pulsating sounds of their music.

Hugh Murray ably represented the absent Legacy, the Bermuda Strollers revved up the crowd as only they can, and Dub Poet Ras Mykkal contributed his politically adept renditions.

Then the man of the hour took to the stage with Gene Steede on guitar, and Ronnie Lopes and Stan Gilbert, who seemed never to have left the stage all evening, and did a superb set which included The Rose, and most especially a `Drifters Medley'.

The price of admission ought to have been higher seeing that Webster B.

Tucker, `Biscuit' Johnson, and Reecey Nearon `drifted' musically along with their own idiosyncratic choreography, and I use both those words very carefully. Then again mere money couldn't have recompensed. It was the best, most loving kind of folly.

Gene Steede entertained. That is all that need be said where this great veteran is concerned. And Bootsie, his heir apparent rounded off an amusing set with a parodic tribute `Starting From An Old Hotel', to the tune of Steede's much purloined `Lindo's ' commercial.

It was a great evening of local entertainment. Tony Bari's band played, and featured a saxophonist whose name, regrettably I did not catch, and while the audience reluctantly drifted away, `Ovation', George Smith, Cal Symonds, Roy Richardson and Gary Bean sang some classic capella numbers.

The Minister of Works and Engineering, the Hon. Alex Scott represented the Premier, whose letter commending the lifelong efforts of George Smith as entertainer and community activist, was read by M.C. Cousin Juicy.

The evening is now a bright memory, and even though the music has faded away and the entertainers have packed up and gone home, you can still participate if you care to contribute to George's fund by calling Ms Velda Ming, at 236 6116, and pledging your contribution.

ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINERS ENT