By Tyrone Reid, Staff ReporterPRAYZ HOUSE partied on Friday night.
Performers from the seemingly 'bastard' child of local gospel music reggae gospel rocked the equally scorned and controversial Christian nightclub until the wee hours of Saturday morning.
The show that was held at 137 Maxfield Avenue marked the sixth anniversary of the club, which has had a few homes since its inception.
Despite the difficulties the club has faced, an average-sized crowd turned out to enjoy themselves on Friday. The scenes in the club were reminiscent of a secular teeny-bopper party minus the gyrating as those present unleashed the latest dancehall moves such as the popular 'Pon Di River, Pon Di Bank' in addition to a few moves of their own.
However, amidst all the fun, there was a lame segment. It came when Marshall Redwood, the owner of the club, took centrestage and attempted to entertain the audience. To be exact, he embarrassed himself.
'FLATTER THAN A PANCAKE'
His jokes were flatter than a pancake. As for the new dance 'Awake' that he tried to teach the audience, it would have been by a long stretch more exciting to watch cement harden. Realising the boredom overpowering the audience he acknowledged that he had 'flopped' and those words earned him a hefty handclap from the brutally honest crowd.
He redeemed himself by 'spinning' a popular song that seemed to be of the rock persuasion as it sent the crowd into a massive head-bopping frenzy. At 12:45 a.m. the audience was relieved of Mr. Redwood and his theatrics after he summoned DJ Nicholas and Mr. Gallimore.
Putting it mildly, the audience was delighted as they lapped up what was provided by the two gospel deejays. From a distance, DJ Nicholas' demeanour resembled that of the man from Sherlock Crescent, Baby Cham. Additionally, his voice and delivery was akin to that of 'Mr. Wow'.
GOOD ACCOUNT
Coincidentally or not, Nicholas called on a singer by the name of Prodigy and his voice was reminiscent of dancehall singer Chico, who is Cham's label mate. Both performers gave good accounts and exited. The stage was then turned over to Mr. Gallimore, who was waiting patiently and calmly in the wings.
His calm deportment was laid to rest as he delivered the fast paced Sick in Yah, which saw the audience get into a fit of excitement. After delivering it to the audience, his calm nature was restored and he exited stage right.
At 12:56 a.m. things got quite rowdy with the introduction of Goddy Goddy and Prodigal Son. They delivered each other's songs, much to the delight of the audience. The duo gave the audience a bellyful of hardcore reggae gospel with a side order of gimmicks.
After the deejays had departed, the controls were once more handed over to the selectors and they did not fail to delight. They delivered a combo of Papa San hits such as Step Pon Di Enemy and Pop Style. Their selections were accompanied by a group of dancers on-stage that delivered the latest dance moves in Christendom as well as the secular world.
SPECIAL GUEST
At 1:17 a.m. the special guest for the morning, Sherwin Gardner from Trinidad, was introduced to the audience. At his appearance, soca-like revelling took place, as the audience expressed their appreciation for the Trinidadian deejay.
Judging by his delivery and accent, one would question the authenticity of his Trinidadian nationality. Gardener had the local vernacular down pat. In his almost hour-long performance, he pleased the audience with songs such as Hotta Redda Fire, which spoke of the ills that will befall the unbelievers at the coming of the Lord Jesus.
Proving his nationality, the deejay delivered songs of the soca persuasion. Although it was his first time in Jamaica it was evident that he was no stranger to the regulars at Prayz House.
At 2:17 a.m., the curtains were brought down on the event with a sermonette and a prayer. Judging by the reaction of the audience it would be safe to say that the show was impressive, as they filed out without a complaint.
