Maxi Priest delivers at 'The Weekend'
Published:Monday | August 9, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Amsterdam DJ Julien Lejay, Chicago's J.J. Flores, St Louis' Scotty Mack and Miami's Emilio Hernandez were the perfect precursor to the indomitable reggae performer Maxi Priest on night two of 'The Weekend' last Saturday in Montego Bay.
Night two for organisers Clear Concept finally gave birth at the historic Rose Hall Great House in the second city. The duo Dwayne Smalling and Gary Codner had already broken water for the 'fetus' during the opening night's beach party at the Iberostar Grand, Friday night, and by Sunday afternoon were busy placing the finishing touch at the christening at the 'All White' affair at The Palmyra.
Three days of partying for the mature and sexy, were enough for those who came to 'Discover, Escape, Indulge', and it took the magical hands and the creative minds at Thai Flora to recreate the scenes that complemented this adult alternative event.
In fact, it was the lyrics to the music of the late Prince of Reggae Dennis Brown that heralded the Lazarus Foundation-sponsored Maxi Priest on stage last Saturday night - "Should I have faith in you", was all that the 'Priest' had to say for the intimate gathering of some 200 people to gravitate towards the front of the stage.
Not even the ranting of the self-proclaimed 'Best Rapper in the World' 'DMC' formerly of Run DMC received the attention that Maxi Priest got when he made his entrance ten minutes after midnight.
The English-born Priest, who has adopted the Jamaican roots reggae, proved within minutes on stage how it felt to be loved and how it feels to be entertained by a star performer Just a Little Bit Longer.
When he drew for Wild World, the Americans, Caymanians, Spanish, Germans, Canadians, Dutch and Jamaicans and other nationalities in the audience went wild.
Here was a melting pot of cultures, richly blended by the universal force of music.
The Spanish resort Gran Bahia Principe had cooked the delicious food, while the Jamaican/German couple, Paulette Thai-Hossman and husband Sascha Hossman had done the fabulous decor, making Montegonians extremely proud.
Although Michele Rollins was absent because she was making waves on the campaign trail in the United States, her presence was felt at the great house she owns and operate.
The sponsors who believe in the potential of the 'The Weekend' include US-based carrier Jet Blue, CVM Television, On-Stage, Kyla's Posh N' Sassy, African Connection, DMS Broadcasting - Grand Cayman, Iberostar and The Palmyra.