By Chaos, Freelance Writer
The Allison Hinds-helmed Square One band from Barbados took the stage somewhere around 1 a.m. and immediately launched into one of their customary sets. - File
THERE WAS a sea of people last Friday night at the National Housing Trust's (NHT) parking lot in New Kingston, just opposite the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Not just a crowd, a veritable rag-waving, scantily-clad, jumping, 'wining' and soon to be covered in yellow sea.
The event? Smirnoff Ice and Jokers Wild's J'ouvert. From as early as 12 midnight throngs of revellers made lines that seemed to go on forever to get into the venue under the eyes of a very watchful, and at times rude, security personnel. Those in the know came prepared, dressed in clothes that just begged a new lease on life and with heads firmly wrapped. On the other hand, there were those that clearly had no idea what a J'ouvert was all about and seemed to have spent all day at the hairdresser as well as invested in a new wardrobe for the event. They soon found out that this may have been a mistake.
COOL NIGHT
It was a cool night with nary a cloud in the sky and a light breeze rippled through the venue, which would come in very useful as a night of waving, gyrating, jumping and general insanity progressed. The red-clad Allison Hinds-helmed Square One band from Barbados took the stage somewhere around 1 a.m. and immediately launched into one of their customary sets. They took the lead in having everyone spinning whatever lengths of cloths they had with mad abandon, jumping and moving their bodies in ways not seen even in the Kama Sutra. In an energetic, over an hour-long set, the band sang songs such as Faloma, Hinds gave yet another 'wining' lesson and people just kept streaming in. Joined for a moment by fellow Bajan Peter Raj, who had to work harder for a response, they truly were a hit when they performed a number of songs on the 'Diwali' rhythm, such as Wayne Marshall's Overcome and Assassin's Roughest, turning most of those present into hand-clapping fiends.
Renaissance followed and impressed with their remixes, even if they got a few good-natured 'boos' when they experienced a mechanical problem or two, which MC Oscar B promptly smoothed over.
TRUE STARS
Iwer George also put in an appearance, but it was Machel Montano and company who were the true stars of the night, the event itself aside. Given the fact that there was another J'ouvert in progress practically next door at Mas Camp on Oxford Road, apparently the entire island had come out to party and they all obeyed Montano's every command. "I know some of you men out there don't dance because you say bad man don't dance," he said, accent firmly in place, before giving several instructions to go left, right and up and down.
This was J'ouvert, so sooner or later, there had to be paint. From all indications, most of those present could hardly wait. As dawn loomed, the floodgates were opened and a section to the right of the venue was deluged as people thronged for the yellow paint available. Hilariously enough in some instances, a gentleman who seemed out of his depth somewhat kept insisting that people 'Wait' or 'Step back' but they would not be denied, and soon everyone was no longer the complexion God and genetics gave them.
Bottles and cups full of paint were inverted over willing and not-so-willing heads, inside and on clothing, women presented their assets to be hand-printed by total strangers and a few young ladies lost their tempers as hundreds of dollars and hours at the beauty parlours went promptly down the drain. Frankly enough, they were the only persons who cared. This was J'ouvert. Get painted or stay home.
