Sites&Sounds

The lovely Mrs Edith Williams took the crown and top prize in this year's American Classic Woman of the year pageant after a Chris Rock like comedy routine that left few stones unturned and the audience in stitches. The Honorable ANC2C01 Commissioner Alexander M Padro, president of the pageant's board of directors, presented the award.

Richard Pryor reincarneted as a lovely woman.

Virginia E. Hayes Williams (left), mother of the former Mayor an no relation to the evening's winning contestant, and Asbury Dwellings Tenants Assoc. President Earl Storm (second from the left) enjoy the performaces at this year's event.

Prince and Sarah Silverman would have blushed at the mix of sacred and profane, raw and refined talent on display at this year's event at Shaw Middle School on Saturday. One of the pageant judges, Reverend Joseph Williams from Emmaus, was often seen feverishly wiping the perspiration from his brow. Nonetheless, from Improvisational dance sent to “Diamonds and Pearls” to French and Italian cantatas and classic negro spirituals; liturgical dance to bawdy bar room comedy; this year's pageant lead by founder and chairwoman the fabulous Letha Blount was a fantastic success. One minute the audience would be joining in on for a Christian spirtual, the next falling out with laughter to jaw dropping comedy. ... Completely off the hook. For all the passionate and lofty spiritual devotion on display, some acts in the talent competition proved nothing was sacred and it all made for a pageant that was better than ever.

There were several guest performers during a classical productions showcase.

There were wonderful touching and elegant moments as well that helped everyone appreciate the important and lively contributions that our senior friends and neighbors make to our city and our community.

Pageant organizers Alexander M Padro and Letha Blount can take pride in their best pageant yet. The pageant once again took place in the Percy Ellis Auditorium of Shaw Middle School. Shaw Middle School was saved from being closed permanently by Mayor Adrian Fenty's and School Chancellor Michelle Rhee's school reorganization plan partly because it has served as a great venue for such community events in Shaw.

More pics here