10/14/2009 12:34:00 PM Governor plays host with his own 400 year anniversary picnic party
Saying it like it is: Gavin ‘Djata’ Smith was one of many Chewstick performers who shared their singing and spoken voice talents with the crowd. * Photos by Kageaki Smith
Natural amphitheatre: Governor Sir Richard Gozney said Sunday afternoon’s 400th anniversary picnic concert was the ideal way to put the grounds of Government House to good use. He said he may even hold a similar event in 400 years time!
Thousands of people partied with the Governor as he threw open the 'natural amphitheatre' of Government House.
Sir Richard Gozney opened up the grounds of his home on Sunday afternoon for a Picnic Concert to celebrate Bermuda's 400th anniversary.
Sir Richard and Lady Gozney were happy to welcome 1,500-2,000 people to the free local entertainment concert between 4pm and 7pm.
The public were treated to performances from the CedarBridge Academy choir, music and spoken word collective Chewstick, sax legend Wendell 'Shine' Hayward and Joy T. Barnum and her backing band The Channel. There was also plenty of 400th anniversary giveaways.
Sir Richard told The Bermuda Sun he had enjoyed all the musical acts "especially in the setting."
He said: "The North Shore of Government House grounds forms a natural amphitheatre, tiered by nature, and, since we arrived nearly two years ago, I have been keen to put it to use for an occasion when everyone could just sit on the grass up and down the slope and see what was going on."
Sir Richard was the perfect host as he wandered around meeting and greeting the public, who had all taken along their chairs and blankets. He also took to the stage to personally thank each musical act and present them with a certificate of participation.
But it was perhaps Gavin 'Sundjata' Smith, the founder of Chewstick, who got the loudest round of applause when he dared to 'speak politics at Government House' with his anti-conscription song.
Sir Richard said: "As to the lyrics of particular songs, I've long learned that singers, like other artists, are not really biddable. The main thing is to get them to turn up on time and to check that their equipment is working!"
At the event Sir Richard joked that he'd be hosting another picnic at Government House "in another 400 years time."
He added that the number of people who came along "justified the effort by all concerned." Sir Richard wanted to thank Conchita Ming's anniversary committee, Parks Department, BELCO and the police.
