LEFT: Dennis Coke photo
"We are a very affectionate family... lots of hugs and kisses," says Paula Ann Porter
RIGHT: Winston Sill photo
After God, Sandra Brooks' son, Ricardo, is number one.Winston Wilson, Jr., Staff Reporter
Several women in entertainment are amazing acrobats. The tightrope of their lives is made up of a highly involved career at one end and their children, in most cases without a father, at the other. They walk the rope's length, meeting both responsibilities half-way.
The task of keeping it all together is at times an onerous millstone, or conversely a shared joy, where the little ones roll up their sleeves and dive right in.
For Andrea Davis, founder/producer of International Reggae Day, sometimes the dual demands get "a little hairy", but she still tries to spend quality time with her eight-year-old daughter, Angiel Shaw.
"She teaches me a lot of things and I look forward to the interaction on a daily basis. We do most things together -- going to the movies and listening to music. She tries to get me to play basketball and helps me to exercise.
"I also try getting her to do new things like play golf and tennis. We also travel a lot to the Caribbean islands and to the United States," Andrea said.
She sometimes wishes there was more time to spend with her daughter, but she ensures that they spend quality time.
Four-year-old Che Earle is the world in Sharon Burke's whirl.
The ever busy producer/manager, who travels extensively, told Showbiz her son was the most precious thing to her. He travels with his mother overseas.
"Che and I go out a lot... we see a movie occasionally, go shopping or listen to music. When we are at home I have to watch Cartoon Network or play video games with him," she said.
Motion
Bubbler, DJ Madd Anju's dancing partner, spends a lot of her time showing her motion at stage shows. But between January and June, she has some time for the children, Rickeisha, Raneika, Latoya, and Crystal. Otherwise her work roster keeps her busy.
"I try to spend a lot of time with them, but sometimes I have to work so much, it's hard," the dancehall dancer said.
When cabaret singer, Karen Smith performs, her six year-old daughter, Courtni Jackson, usually sits in the front row, singing and dancing to her gig.
"We are so blessed to have her in the family, I love her so much. Sometimes I read to her or she reads to me. But a lot of the time spent together is when we travel. Usually it's from Kingston to Ocho Rios or to Beaches Turks and Caicos. We have even been to three Carnivals in Trinidad," Karen said.
Despite her hectic schedule Courtni has never felt left out because of the excellent support system "at home". Karen Smith's mother or husband tends to Courtni when mother Karen is unavailable.
Gospel singer Sandra Brooks is often away from home for two weeks at a time, so the strain on the relationship with eight-year-old Ricardo Brooks, Jr. is enormous. The bonds bend, but never break.
"Sometimes he cries when I go away, but I call him everyday, from wherever I am," she told Showbiz.
The two are very close and occasionally Ricardo goes to his mother's concerts. Devon House and its ice-cream is a favourite treat.
"He is a very understanding child. He is also a musician (drummer) so he understands what's going on. Still I never take him for granted. Our quality time spent together is used to play Nintendo or football. His father is a soldier and whenever he is away, Ricardo takes over his bed," she said with a laugh.
"My job is so hectic and mentally draining and that keeps me away from my children, but the real difficulty comes with having the energy (when I get home) to play and be with them," Paula Ann Porter told Showbiz.
With her high energy and party spirit, the radio disc jockey is in demand as an emcee. She also produces several entertainment shows, so her schedule is 'crazy.'
"I have two children -- three-year-old son, Jair and one-year-old daughter, Avielle. My husband, John, is a stickler for family and that helps a lot with the lifestyle I have. He is the glue; the force that keeps it together," she explained.
Sometimes the entire family goes on picnics, to Devon House, the zoo, kite-flying, or spends a day in the country.
Love
Chetenge will never get over the recent death of her first son; now she pours all her love in the other, four-year-old Joel.
"A dog of my age is no pup, so I will be adopting another child in two years. Despite my busy schedule I love my son and we have an incredible relationship," she said.
The Negril cabaret singer/producer said that Joel goes everywhere with her and they even sleep in the same bed.
Courtney is 15 years old, Shanice is eight years and Maleka is nearly two-year-old. They are DJ Lady G's babies. "When my career is on a high I don't get to spend a lot of time with them, now we have some time together," she said.
The four spend time shopping, cooking or going overseas on holidays. At least once weekly the family visits either Devon House, Hope Gardens or fast-food restaurants.
