‘Miss Bell’s Amateur Hour’ enjoyed by FCity Musical Coterie members

Musical Coterie met Monday, March 20, at the Civic Center in Forrest City.

Janet Northcutt, program leader, welcomed everyone to “Miss Bell’s Amateur Hour.”

“Our very own Denny Edwards entered as Contrary Contralto, singing “Summertime” as if she had never had a voice lesson in her life, and she was a hoot to listen to,” said Coterie spokesperson Opal Chapman.

“The famous Coterie Band, featuring Suzy Jones, Alice Miller, Denny Edwards, Debbie Capps, Lee O’Banion, Marti Ramsey and Janet Northcutt, entered as the “Bill” tell Overture, playing the latest plastic instruments of horn trumpets, Vuvuzela horns and clarinets, with Susy on keyboard,” said Chapman. “They sounded so great that some might have wanted to cover their ears.”

Jones and Northcutt appeared as the “String Beans,” playing “I Saw the Light” on fiddle and autoharp.

“They were good and so enjoyable,” said Chapman.

The Hurling Girls, Capps and O’Banion, came out with their batons twirling, stepping in sync as they twirled to “El Capitan” by John Phillips Sousa.

“They really looked like they were leading the band,” said Chapman.

Northcutt introduced the Disco Duo as Katie Harrison and Miller took the floor performing “The Hustle.”

“They were dressed for the part and danced like they were really on the dance floor,” said Chapman.

For the grand finale, Northcutt introduced Carman Miranda, played by Marti Ramsey.

“She sang ‘Cuanto Le Gusta’ with great pizzazz and had us spellbound with her voice and actions,” said Chapman. Her backup group included O’Banion, Edwards, Capps, Miller and Sharon Kennedy playing maracas with Northcutt playing the drum.

“Marti really acted the part of Carman Miranda so well,” said Chapman. “The whole program was fun and entertaining, and everyone had a good time.”

Submitted Photos Forrest City Musical Coterie enjoyed “Miss Bell’s Amateur Hour” during the group’s monthly meeting, held Monday at the Forrest City Civic Center. The program featured the Coterie band performing with plastic instruments. Members of the band in the top photo, from left, are: Susie Jones, Janet Northcutt, program leader; Denny Edwards, Lee O’Banion, Debbie Capps, Alice Miller, Katie Harrison, Sharon Kennedy, Marti Ramsey and Becky Lawson. At right, Marti Ramsey performed as Carman Miranda, singing “Cuanto Le Gusta.”