A packed house crowded into the Rainforest Theatre at the Wyndham Nassau Resort on Sunday afternoon for the ‘Love That Child’ benefit concert in aid of the Ranfurly Homes for Children and the Children’s Emergency Hostel, sponsored by BOB.
More than 200 performers wowed the audience with everything from hip-hop inspired contortionist dance moves to awe-inspiring vocal renditions.
Adults sang along to local hits from seasoned performers including Funky D and T’rez Hepburn, while children joined in with The Meridian School Choir’s rendition of Lean on Me and the pop hit Price Tag by Jessie J. The show featured something for everyone, all in aid of the children’s homes. “BOB has been a supporter of the Ranfurly Homes for Children since our sponsorship of the production of Damien Davis’ single ‘Love That Child.’
To witness the overwhelming success and public support of the ‘Love That Child’ concert brings our dedication to this important project full-circle,” shared Michael Basden, BOB Marketing Manager.
“Today has been truly remarkable, not only the fact that it is all about children helping children, but that we were hoping to fill 500 seats and we are now at standing room only with more than 800 in the house. It shows how much heart we have as a people when it comes to looking after our youth.”
Loretta Butler Turner, Minister of State for Labour and Social Development brought brief remarks at the event, expressing pride for the throngs of guests who attended the show to show support for the nation’s future, our children.
Damien Davis, who grew up in the Children’s Emergency Hostel and the Ranfurly Homes for Children, wrote and composed the song Love That Child, the event’s namesake. Davis received a standing ovation after his moving rendition of “You Raise Me Up,” the show’s finale. He was joined on stage by local performers and the 20 award-winning dancers from the Touch of Class Dance school in Philadelphia who all raised their own money to perform in the ‘Love That Child’ benefit concert.
The award-winning Touch of Class dancers from Philadelphia perform a high-energy number choreographed by NBA Philadelphia 76-ers Dance Team Director Debbie Apalucci, the co-producer of the Love That Child benefit concert held recently to raise funds for the Ranfurly Homes for Children and the Children's Emergency Hostel. (Photo by Derek Smith Jr.)
Other performers included Danielle Dean of Chelsea’s Kids, Yodephy Dance & Modeling Academy, Dance Bahamas School, Virtue Dance Academy, Live to Dance, Eurhythmics Dance Studio, Kaleidoscope Dance Company and Juice Unit Hip Hop Group.
All funds raised from the sale of tickets, CDs and T-shirts will directly benefit the Children’s Emergency Hostel and the Ranfurly Homes for Children. Corporate table sponsors included Chelsea’s Water, BTC, Colina, MacDonald’s, Graycliff and several individuals.