By Monique Murray, Gleaner Writer
Nicole C. Mullen had the patrons entranced at last Saturday's event.
THE LAID-back crowd on the lawns at Island Village, Ocho Rios, St. Ann, last Saturday were out for an evening of 'Fun In The Son' and the event certainly delivered.
When The Gleaner arrived, the beautiful voice of Nicole C. Mullen had the patrons entranced with Black, White Tan and Music Of My Heart. There was a hush as people quietly meditated on the words or took the time to worship.
"The secret to success is when we find time on our knees before the Lord," she said before easing into On My Knees and Redeemer, which received screams and wild applause. She also launched into a few of her hip-hop dance numbers such as Shooby and Witness. She was joined on-stage by her dancers clad in tie-dyed T-shirts and jeans.
The evenings MCs were Pastor Ché Cowan and Love FM's Nadine Blair but at one point Markland Edwards took the spotlight, asking patrons to 'light up their cellphones' and as the lights were turned off there was a beautiful display of cellphone lights.
PRODIGAL SON
Prodigal Son also made a guest appearance to give away a copy of his latest album, Radical Prodigal. The Prayz House crew was there to teach a few dance moves and had the crowd jumping for Jesus as they waited for the next performance.
Fun in the Son dared to cross a few cultural barriers as Toby Mac and his team took the stage and threw some rock into the mix. They received a cool response at first but the audience quickly warmed up and the more liberal saints came alive as the group started their set with Irene. "That wasn't rock and roll yet... don't get me started," he said before launching into a energy-packed I'm Yours, Love Is In the House and Jesus Freak.
The atmosphere transformed into an all-out rock fest complete with head-banging and stage diving. The message was still intact as Toby Mac shared briefly from the Bible and went into the next song, I Got A Ticket.
HIGH OCTANE
The high octane rock group kept going and going and though the audience enjoyed their music it began to get restless after awhile. The group bid the weary audience farewell but not before they sprayed the patrons with water.
Papa San entered the stage to screaming fans waving rags, flags and pretty much anything they could get their hands on. He had them 'hailing Him up' and 'stepping on the enemy'.
The former dancehall artiste debuted two new songs, Who Know and Blood Well, which got wild responses from the audience. Smile Again had them singing along with lifted hands. One could hear shouts of "Thank you Lord" and "Bless Your name Lord", as souls were ministered to.
He skilfully eased into some of his up-tempo songs such as All God and Popstyle and the fun took on a new turn as patrons jumped into a shallow pool in front of the stage and splashed about to the beat. He wrapped up the evening with an altar call as the showers of blessing came down.
Essentially, the event was all it set out to be and then some. The venue was good for those who wanted to praise and worship freely as some could be seen walking around or dancing barefoot or sitting on towels.
