Entertainment

MAGNUM PARTY A HIT

By TEINO EVANS, Staff Reporter

WHETHER PON di river or pon di bank, patrons who attended the Magnum party by the river at the Rio Nuevo River in St. Mary last Sunday were treated to an array of artiste performances in an old-fashioned country dance setting.

The venue, though situated alongside the river, had the ideal setting for a typical country dance. The grounds were rocky and wet, but well-lit, with the bars and food area established towards the rear of the venue, where manish water, jerk pork and chicken were being sold.

Many patrons gathered towards the front of the venue where the stage, selectors' booth and majority of big speaker boxes were set up, as they 'bubbled' to selections from the likes of Total Eclipse (a sound system from Ocho Rios), the immortal Stone Love and later on the 'mentally ill', Tony Matterhorn.

With dancehall music pounding in their ears and selectors making their introductions before almost every song was played, patrons indulged in the fun and excitement of the atmosphere created.

Showtime

After the selectors had created a steady vibes and stirred up quite an appetite among patrons, it was time for the highlight of the evening.

The stage show got off at around 11:30 p.m. with George Nooks taking to the stage to please the ladies with a few of his renditions, among them were songs like Stick By Me, So Much Love, Tribal War, God Is Standing By and No Power On Earth

As the stage show continued, patrons would realise that they were in for more than they had bargained for, as close to 15 artistes, including the main act, Elephant Man, would grace the stage with brief performances.

Among the band of artistes that took a short stint on- stage were Fantan Mojah, Mr. Perfect, Pickney, Captain Barkey and Wickerman, Junior Reid, Queen Paula, Kiprich, Round Head and General B, Professor Nuts, Macka Diamond and Blacka.

At 1:30 a.m, the 'Energy God', who was being called on before time by patrons, finally took the stage. Ele wasted no time in intensifying the energy level in the venue, as he did a number of his popular tunes and dance medleys, including Jook Here, Pon Di River Pon Di Bank, and Yuh Too Bad Mind.

Patrons enjoyed the closing moments of the show, as they followed Ele's commands, "ova di wall, ova di wall, alright, shankle dip, shankle dip, revival dip, revival dip, now circle yuh head, circle yuh head...".

Two youngsters were lifted on stage by Ele, as he decided to teach patrons a new dance called 'Chaka Chaka'.