
The theme of the Commonwealth Games is unity. Even in the spirit of competition, we find common ground. This year’s VIP event held at The Grand Hotel, 1 Church Street, Birmingham B3 2FE. United Kingdom. The dignitaries, delegates from many of the Commonwealth nations, and VIP guests were treated to the performance of internationally renowned singer and Birmingham native Lorraine Brown. Ms. Brown performed a selection of tunes both imbued with the unifying goal of the event as well as designed to make attendees want to dance. Known for her vocally emotive prowess and charismatic stage presence, Ms. Brown was personally selected by the event organizer to bring an uplifting and exciting tone to this prestigious gathering. Among the nearly two-hundred-fifty in attendance were Dame Louise Martin – President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Derek Anderson CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) DL (Deputy Lieutenant), Martin Reynolds – Executive Director of the Commonwealth Games Federation and Former Olympic Silver Medalist, and Lord Mayor of Birmingham – Cllr Maureen Cornish and Lord Mayor’s Consort Malcolm Cornish.

Lorraine Brown has been in the public eye for many years. As the lead singer for vocal harmony group Romany way, winner of the England Entertainers of the Year, her voice became instantly recognizable. Her #1 World Dance Chart hit song with Soulshaker has been featured on thirty-five different albums worldwide. Touring internationally as a headline performer in shows such as “That’ll Be the Day” and TV appearances on the BAFTA award–winning series Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and historic headline performances like her concert in Poland at Wieliczka Salt Mine (World Heritage site) exposed her to millions of admirers. As a Club Aces Award-Winning “Female Vocalist of the Year”, Lorraine is universally respected for her immense talent. Known for her affinity of touring internationally, Ms. Brown was the ideal performer and representative for this VIP event.
Lorraine’s dynamic set at the event dazzled the audience with her renditions of R&B hits like Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” and a Motown Medley comprised of “Dancing in The Street”, “This Ol’ Heart of Mine”, “Tears of A Clown”, “My Guy”, “Reach Out I’ll Be There”, and others. Taking a cue from another great singer, Lorraine notes, “Continuing with the sporting theme, the Song ‘One Moment in Time’ was sung by the late Whitney Houston at the 1998 Olympic Games in Seoul and therefore we thought it would be right to echo the sentiments of that song which to this day resonates with so many athletes. Motown music is universal and encourages people to dance and revel in the atmosphere.”
Ms. Brown confirms that not only was she enthusiastic about performing for the Commonwealth Games VIP event, she was ecstatic to be a part of this iconic sporting tradition. She declares, “I am a massive sports fan and have been since a very early age when I participated in many sporting events as a competitor. I played netball at Club and County level and am a season ticket holder at my beloved Aston Villa Football Club, the most successful club in the Birmingham area. Sporting events are a massive part of our family, and being British I am wholly aware of the importance of the Commonwealth and the excitement which the Games bring to the UK. It is part of our history and culture. For my home City to host these games is an honour and a privilege. The amount of investment required to stage these games is enormous and the pride that I feel to this day that I was a part of the entertainment will not diminish. I represented my city and brought a sample of the diversity which Birmingham has to offer to the delegates and dignitaries. This experience will have stayed with them when they returned to their respective countries, and I am sure the great atmosphere of the closing night reinforced that feeling.”
Writer : Basil Thomson