Hashtag: #DaleButlerColumns
Review: “The Soul Family Revue” Performance
[Written by Dale Butler] On Saturday, October 3, The Soul Family Revue held a command performance on the West End Sailboat Club’s beautiful oceanside terrace under a full moon and before a mature audience of eager, well-dressed and Covid-19 abiding fans. From the time we were warmly greeted by host Judy Butterfield, it was obvious we were going to... Read more of this article
Review: Black Healing Collective, Youth Justice
[Written by Dale Butler] Ajala Omodele, a young Bermudian social studies teacher and author, used his knowledge as one of the leaders of the Youth for Justice and the Black Healing Collective to pour a libation reminding the audience about the sacred venue we stood in and the healing that needed to take place in the Bermuda community. The Warwick Rubber... Read more of this article
Review: Weekend Music Shows In Pembroke
[Written by Dale Butler] The island was recently blessed with two well organised Covid-19 regulated concerts at outdoor venues demonstrating that such concerts can be held. The first concert, entitled ‘A Night of Soul,’ was held at the Bernard’s Park complex organised by A New Life Charity 1011. Prior to the show, Don Burgess did an excellent... Read more of this article
Review: Soul Session Saturday Live Music
[Written by Dale Butler] My week started by reading, for a second time, The Autobiography of Nina Simone, and a purchase of Bermuda vinyl albums from Peggy Burns that gave me copies of “At His Best: Hubert Smith”, “Search for Serenity” by Milt Robinson and “Early Autumn” by the Bermuda Sounds featuring Bishop Caines, Aidan McNally, Violetta... Read more of this article
Event Review: Flame’s Restaurant Musical Treat
[Review written by Dale Butler] On Saturday, July 18th, the Flame Restaurant at 89 North Shore, Devonshire, came alive with entertainers Jesse and John Seymour, Ben Payne, and saxophonist Tino Martinez. The show opened with Ben singing and playing guitar to a mature audience starving for live music. His versions of Redemption Song, Sitting on the Dock... Read more of this article
A Celebration Of The Life Of Marcelle Clamens
[Written by Dale Butler] A celebration of the life of Bermudian opera singer, teacher, and mentor Marcelle Clamens, a University of Cincinnati Conservatory graduate, was held at the Berkeley Institute on Saturday, December 14 for a host of relatives, students, friends, and former classmates. Organized by her husband Michael and daughter Michaela Antoinette,... Read more of this article
Column: Celebrating Bishop Lambe’s Birthday
[Written by Dale Butler] On Sunday, November 24, Pastors Madeline Hayward and Andre Bean and the membership of The First Church of God paused to celebrate the 80th birthday of its Bishop Vernon G. Lambe Sr. The service highlighted his life and the significant contributions made by his wife Elder Ruth Ann Lambe. With veteran piano and organ maestro... Read more of this article
Column: Going Up Yonder With Toni Robinson
[Written by Dale Butler] The CD arrival of Bermuda’s “First Lady of Gospel” a few months ago was widely received and appreciated with the excellent selection of songs and their delivery. Long a staple at weddings, funerals and VIP events, Toni had also performed with excellence in numerous plays by Atlantic Publishing House and for Her Majesty... Read more of this article
Review: The Bermuda Ambassador Choir
[Written by Dale Butler] The Bermuda Ambassador Choir chose the last day of Heritage Month to celebrate Bermudian excellence with a debut concert at the majestic St. Theresa’s Cathedral to an audience of over 150. Led by Clearwater Middle School music teacher Martin Pastor, a Bloomsburg University graduate with a lot of personality, the tone was set... Read more of this article
Musical Review: Band Plays At Astwood Arms
[Written by Dale Butler] A few years ago, a comet of energy burst onto the saxophone scene well versed in jazz and soul. I had never seen or heard of him before. Dave Pitman, with 15 years of experience, was a breath of fresh air. I was therefore very pleased when I stepped into Astwood Arms on Front Street on Sunday, May 26th to see him as part of... Read more of this article
Tribute Of Song & Word For Leroy Simmons
[Written by Dale Butler] On Sunday, April 14th at precisely 3.00pm as advertised, The Bermuda Entertainers’ Union [BEU] Executive Committee, with the support of the Spinning Wheel establishment, greeted and entertained a packed house of family, friends, musicians, and fans of popular teacher, musician, radio host, and union president, the late Leroy... Read more of this article
Review: The Kings Band Perform At PYC
[Written by Dale Butler] On Friday, April 5, The Heartbeat of Hamilton came to life at PYC in a free concert that started at 8.30pm after sound and instrument checks and warm lights were installed. The hall was lit in traditional reggae fashion, exactly the way staunch reggae fans love to dance alone, or in small groups. I had heard the band earlier... Read more of this article
Review Of Eugene Joell & Max Maybury
[Written by Dale Butler] On Sunday, March 31 at 11.00am, I joined the artists who had painted a mural featuring butterflies as a celebration of poet, photographer and rap artist Ras Mykkal, who has several CDs of his own. At the conclusion of the blessing at 1.00pm, I did not think I had any energy to go anywhere, but after a short rest, my hunger for... Read more of this article
Review: “Gin & Jazz” Live At Astwood Arms
[Written by Dale Butler] On Sunday, March 24, three veteran Bermudian musicians took The Astwood Arms at 85 Front Street by storm. Described as “a Victorian era styled pub,” it lived up to its name in style and music. From the minute you arrived, manager Mark James Connor, son of the famous Jimmy O’Connor of “The Happening BDA,” gives... Read more of this article
Review: New Band “Miles Raymond & Dayton”
[Written by Dale Butler] There is a new band in town that has an extensive jazz repertoire highlighting many of the island’s top professional musicians. Led by Berkelee School of Music graduate Miles Manders on saxophone, the band members are veterans of music schools and have a history that is so long that it finally comes together in their own versions... Read more of this article
