Belafonte’s Brilliance

Did I miss the review of Harry Belafonte’s show Friday night, Aug. 21 [and Aug. 22], at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts?

Maybe Elton John at the Anaheim Pond overshadowed the less publicized show in the smaller city.

Well, it was a great performance and illustrated why Belafonte has been around for so long.

Still handsome, lithe and able to completely put himself into a song and story, he had the audience enthralled as he sang his classics such as “Mathilda” and “Island in the Sun”--and a sexy new number called “Skin to Skin” with backup singer Sara Mann.

With a group of wonderful young musicians and new arrangements of his most popular old hits, Belafonte joked about the aging process, spoke about his rewarding experience working with the United Nations’ UNICEF and was obviously excited about his new world tour coming up.

Saying he was “at the point in life when he wanted to cover it all,” we had to agree that that’s pretty much what he’s done already.

With his talent, personality and the drive it took to break into the performing arts at a time when prejudice was rampant, he has not only proven himself to be a great and enduring entertainer, but an outstanding human being as well.

EDITH WOOD HARVATH

Buena Park