A WEEK ago the Jamaica Public Service earned the ire of Jamaicans for shutting off electricity to some communities. But on Sunday, JPS boss Kelly Tomblin was the toast of the annual Powerful Women and Men Perform for Charity event.

Tomblin was a first-timer on the show which has raised $42 million for the Mustard Seed Communities over the past 14 years.

For her act, the JPS boss teamed with Supreme Ventures’ Roxene Nickle and Public Relations Practitioner Renee Hartley for a hilarious lip sync and dance number set to Dancing Queen, the 1976 hit song from Swedish supergroup Abba.

Dressed as the black swan, Tomblin pliéd and jetéd awkwardly much to the amusement of the audience gathered inside the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Jamaica College, while mouthing the lyrics to the popular song.

Not even the moves of Hartley dressed as a dancehall princess could outdo Tomblin’s ‘bafoonery’ which ended with an exaggerated extension and wild applause from the audience.

Media personality Carol Francis, who has become a staple of this event, could not top the ‘light and power’ lady on this occasion. Francis, who appeared with friends, danced up a storm showcasing some of the current dancehall dance moves.

Other acts who went over well were the dance drama, Love Me Jamaica, directed by Aston Cooke; Dr Michael Abrahams, who had the audience laughing during his performance; The Folley Boys led by DiMario McDowell and a maracas-shaking Bruce James; and Irie Sisters — Georgia Henry, Deon Hardy and Jhanelle Davis — who paid tribute to the I-Three, Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley and Judy Mowatt.

The National Geriatric Dance Troupe, featuring Christine Steele, Paulette Daley and Judith Ramlogan (and joined by Renee Hartley) also provided laughter as they moved through their Soca Sizzle routine.

Kudos must go to the organisers for once again putting on a well-produced event, pulled together by Weston Haughton and ably guided by the country’s principal director of culture, Dahlia Harris.