Evening of Classics maintains pace

Anekwe

When the first Evening of Classics held earlier this year in June, it set the pace when it comes to live

music performance.

It was so successful that its main promoters, Lanre Delano, CEO, Church Organ Projects in Nigeria (ChOPiN), and the prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938 knew the second had to be just as or even more successful.

And they achieved it.

The second EoC was also a rousing success. With the first two editions having set the pace, the highly anticipated third also had to maintain or even surpass it.

And on Sunday November 7, 2021 the third EoC held at its usual venue, The Rotunda, Ikoyi Club, and most importantly, it maintained the pace of its predecessors and actually outdid them in its own way.

Hosted by the elegant Oluyomi Taiwo Adejumo popularly known as Lady T, its tone was set by its first performer, Ogechukwu, when she faultlessly recited Lascia Chio by G F Handel. Olumide Dada followed her with You’ll Never Walk Alone and JohnPaul Ochei then gave a good account of himself too with Fall On Me by Andrea Bocelli.

As usual with EoCs, once the performances begin thrilling the audience, the night moves along excitingly so Ogechukwu came on again with Laughing Song by Johann Strauss, Ochei with Never Enough and Dada with Edelwise during which he got Ademola Mumuney, Chairman, Ikoyi Club and his wife to take some of its lines and their unexpected efforts really pleased the guests.

Ikoyi Club member, Ike Obike, who did Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong at the previous EoCs, then did it again before Ochei raised the stakes with Sway which got practically everyone dancing delightedly.

Even as it seemed Ochei had stolen the show with his Sway set, Dada proved he came to really kill the show too with emotional performances of Stand By Me and Hero that touched everyone.

With EoC also a veritable platform for the discovery and promotion of talents, Master Inumidun was given the chance to showcase his dexterity on the talking drum then all the main artists - Ochei, Dada, Ogechukwu and Ifunanya Anekwe - together performed the final song, Time To Say Goodbye.

Overjoyed at EoC 3’s obvious success, its promoters couldn’t contain themselves.

Delano reiterated that it was for matured minds and was about quality, not quantity; Bolaji Martins, Entertainment Chairman, Ikoyi Club, said it’s a new revelation each edition; and Mumuney said they must keep having it as it’s a lovely event that makes Ikoyi Club members enjoy the club more.

Congrats, ChOPiN and Ikoyi Club.