Alpha Reunion Week kicks off with 'Backslider'

What can a poor parson do when his two daughters, April and June, whom he has brought up in the church, decide to seek love outside the holy walls and in the secular world? What happens when family members file for them to live in England?

Will April succumb to the charms of reggae star Jabba, who lives in London and who is an ardent believer in Rastafari?

For the answer to these and other questions, the Alpha Academy Alumnae Association is inviting patrons to witness the saga unfold during the staging of its fundraiser, Backslider, written and directed by the multitalented Devon Morgan and Pablo Hoilett, respectively.

The play will kick off the Association's Reunion Week on Meet and Greet Theatre Night, Saturday, May 24 at The Theatre Place.

Hors d'oeuvres and cocktails start at 7:00 p.m., and showtime is 8:00 p.m. Contribution to this event is $1,500, the proceeds of which will go towards the many developmental projects at Alpha Academy.

Other celebrations

Following Backslider, alumnae members from across the globe will continue to celebrate the 120th anniversary of their alma mater, the Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha), with a thanksgiving mass at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, followed by Brunch at Alpha Academy on Sunday, May 25; a picnic at the Bamboo Beach Club at Reggae Beach in Prospect, St Mary on Monday, May 26; Jamaica Night Event on Wednesday, May 28 at the Stella Maris Auditorium; a special assembly and school tour on Thursday, May 29 and the gala event to culminate Reunion Week - the Woman of Excellence Banquet at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Friday, May 30.

Alumnae members will also join Alpha Academy in a walkathon being planned by the school on Saturday, May 31.

Among the association's sponsors to date are The Gleaner Company Limited, GraceKennedy Limited, Chas E Ramson, Bella Oasis, Anne Martin Spa, Gore Developments Limited; Bookophilia, Tradewinds and Tastee Limited.

Tickets for Reunion Week events are at Liguanea Drug and Garden Centre, 134 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6; tel: (876) 977-0066, or at The Theatre Place, 8 Haining Road, New Kingston, tel: 908-0040. Interested patrons may also call (876) 382-3631.

For details on each event, log on to the Alpha Academy Alumnae Association Facebook page.