By Adrian Frater, News EditorWESTERN BUREAU:
BUOYED BY the success of last year's staging which saw the Japanese dancing sensation Yoko Bashment walking away with the coveted title, the promoters of Dancehall Queen 2003 are promising yet another stellar event at the Pier One Complex in Montego Bay this Saturday night.
"The international response to the contest has been overwhelming," said businessman Trevor Martin, the chief executive officer of Big Head and Pure Playazz Promotions, the promoters of the annual event. "We are expecting more Japanese dancers as well as more girls out of New York, London, the Bahamas and Canada."
Because of the popularity the event gained last year through the substantial sales in video cassettes in North America and Japan, Martin is also expecting a large contingent of dancehall fans from these two popular reggae markets to fly into the island for a first hand experience of Dancehall Queen 2003.
"We have been getting a lot of calls from overseas fans who want to come to Dancehall Queen. In addition, our Web site has been getting a lot of hits," said Martin. "I am also expecting scores of fans to pour in to Montego Bay from Kingston, Ocho Rios and other areas such as Negril."
The winner will receive a trophy and pocket $70,000 in cash, courtesy of Slam Condoms. The second-place winner will take home $40,000 courtesy of Grand Central Cambio; while the third-place contestant will receive $30,000 courtesy of Big Head Promotions.
"Although the main focus is on the contestants, it is not going to be all about them as cash and prizes will also be going to patrons who emphasise the spirit of the dancehall in their mode of dressing and general mannerism," said Martin. "Among the prizes will be a cash award for 'the most catchy hairstyle' and 'the most revealing outfit'."
While most reggae shows emphasise music and dancing, since its inception, the 'Dancehall Queen' contest has been all about capturing the essence of the dancehall in terms of music, fashion, dance styles and hype. In fact, it is often the place where one is likely to see the most daring of the bare-as-you-dare outfits, the most spectacular hairstyles and the latest dance moves.
In addition to the spectacle of the contestants, patrons will also be treated to an exotic fashion show featuring dancehall models such as the Hard Copy Cover Girls, the Pure Playazz Girls, the Guns & Roses dancers and former winners Keisha Campbell and Yoko Bashment alongside special guest Keeva, the queen of dancehall videos.
