THE eighth edition of ‘A Treat for My Mother’, produced and directed by Simone Dowding, through her Purple Arts Productions company, is slated for this Sunday at the National Cultural Centre.
‘A Treat for My Mother’ is a musical variety show comprising golden oldies music, sung by some of Guyana’s top performers. This list includes Bonnie Alves, Charmaine Blackman, Sean Bhola, Sheron Cadogan-Taylor, Barbara Lee, and Leona Walton.

On board with this year’s production, for the first time, are Maxwell Hunte and Michelle Gonsalves as well. Included in this is a jazz segment, with a performance by saxophonist Damion Layne.
In addition to the top-notch musical performances, Dowding said there will be a fashion segment, called ‘The Fashion Trap’. She explained that to prevent mirroring the previous director, the late Mr. Winfield James, who in years prior would have used drama, she opted to do a fashion segment.
The purpose of the Fashion Trap segment of the programme, she said, serves to provide young designers an opportunity to showcase and market their work, and to network.

While over the last two stagings of the show, local boutiques took on the fashion segment, the production makes its way back to local designers with Nelsion Nurse already on board.
Much like last year, there will be a prize of gold earrings from L. Seepersaud Maraj and Son’s Limited given to the mother dressed best in deep or dark purple. A second prize of gold jewellery from Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn Shop will be given to the second-best-dressed mother in deep or dark purple. A lucky mother will also be receiving a bouquet from Ribbons N’ Bows.

Dowding expressed, “We just want to give back to our mothers. When you come to our show, we guarantee that you may not be walking out with your purse in your hands alone,” adding that, “We just want mothers to feel wanted and mothers to feel loved.”
Alongside this, door prizes include beauty baskets from DeSinco Trading, furniture from Kissoon’s Furniture Store and ND&S Furniture Store, as well as gifts from Wendy Seepersaud and Jermaine’s Woodworking.
Other prizes include a Mother’s Day cake sponsored by Melody Treats and Catering Company, and a special wig for a mother between the ages of 20 and 35 years old by Abby’s Touch of Magic.

Speaking on the evolution of the show, Dowding stated, “We are in a better place than the first time we started because we have a different variety, a different couple of things added to it now. And more people learn of us now, and more people know of the signature of my work. So, you find more people coming out.”

She further expressed gratitude and noted that there were several sponsors onboard to help make the show possible.