Seven attractive women will take to the stage of the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, February 28, for a night of glamour and entertainment.
It probably won’t be mistaken for Miss Belize, or even Queen of the Bay, but organizers of the Miss African Queen International Pageant say this latest addition to the circle of local pageant shows has a talented line-up and a worthy cause behind it.
The Concerned Belizean Women’s Group is hosting the pageant as a fundraiser on behalf of the battered women’s shelter – Mary Open Doors in Cayo. The committee’s members are: Barbara Frazer, Birdy Francis, Jennifer August, Karen Vernon, Michelle Longsworth, Brenda Stewart and Bernadette Cattouse.
Amandala attended the latest rehearsal at the Bliss on Sunday afternoon and watched pageant handler and coordinator Birdie Francis put six of the seven contestants (one could not make it) through their paces for the opening section of the pageant, an African dance to introduce themselves to the audience.
During a break, we sat down with the attendees, some well known, some not so much, but all dedicated to the cause of the pageant and eager for the opportunity.
The contestants, all save one being first-timers in a pageant competition, are: radio announcer and travel writer, Avil Steadman; aspiring Belize City Council candidate for the People’s United Party and domestic, Dorla Vaughan; education officer, Lurleen Betson-Gamboa; domestics, Sherrymae Valerio and Sherette Staine; lone absentee Sharin Pitts; and Amandala’s very own Adele Ramos, poet and journalist.
The women told us in unison that the experience of preparing for a pageant, and knowing they will do much for a worthy cause, was what motivated them to get involved.
According to Ramos: “The pageant is all about celebrating our African heritage, as daughters of Africa, but also as Belizeans. We intend to build a sense of unity and sisterhood by our actions on stage that night.”
In the talent portion of the pageant, entitled “Images,” the women will creatively present a representation of a famous woman of Black and/or African descent. Contestants’ selections include civil rights activist Rosa Parks and writer Maya Angelou of the United States; Biblical character the Queen of Sheba, who famously visited King Solomon; South African politician Winnie Mandela; singer Miriam Makeba, and Belize’s own comedienne and former Arts Council director, the late Beverly Smith-Lopez.
The evening wear portion of the pageant will showcase African designs as well as the contestants’ own poise, charm and elegance. In the final section of the pageant, contestants will be asked to explain in 100 words or less what it means to them to be a Belizean woman of African descent.
In the capable hands of Francis – a veteran coordinator with 25 years’ experience in both Belizean and American pageants – the seven ladies are being taught the ins and outs of pageantry. While rehearsals are occasionally difficult, the women get along and say they will not so much compete against each other, as they will celebrate with each other.
Showtime is 7:30 p.m. February 28 at the Bliss. Tickets are on sale for $15 general and $20 reserved (adults) and $5 general and $10 reserved (children) and are available at the Bliss box office.