Entertainment

FRIGHTFULLY DECADENT AT at Bacchanal Ja J'ouvert Fright Night

By TOUSSAINT SMITH, Staff Reporter

Maximus Dan performs at Bacchanal Jamaica J'Ouvert 'Fright Night' Party and Road March. - winston sill photos

THE MAS CAMP village came alive last Friday night with the staging of 'Bacchanal Jamaica J'ouvert Fright Night'.

Scores of cars loaded the car park and the outskirts of the venue. Upon entering, a décor depicting a graveyard was present on the inside. Give-away booths were situated at the back of the venue, where the organisers handed out coloured hats, masks, feathers, crowns and beads to name a few.

Along with that were bars, and food stalls that lined the bare walls inside. The event was aired live on Fame F.M.

At 12:30 a.m. there was just a handful of patrons inside the venue. Deejay Switch from Trinidad and Tobago kept the vibes at a high energy level, playing sweet pulsating soca music. The in-house host for the night was AB, who was clad in a black, green, and gold Batman costume.

Just as promised, J'ouvert paraphernalia were certainly handed out by the promoters. To sensitise patrons with the authentic feeling of carnival, the Point Fortin ­ Engine Room Band played live music along with the deejay.

Dressed to thrill

From short shorts, tights, mini skirts, tank tops to other revealing outfits, the ladies were dressed for the occasion.

Some wore their old J'ouvert clothes from previous events. Tunes like Turn Me On, I Want Some Nookie, Stop Hitch, Focus On Me, sent buns shaking, rears gyrating, and waves of waist gripping throughout the crowd. But like Rupee said, "What happens at J'ouvert stays at J'ouvert"

The show finally got on its way at 1:25 a.m. with the Atlantik Band, featuring Destra and Shal Marshal. Destra's high-energy performance left the male audience in awe and females applauding.

She was decked out in a red sequinned short shorts, and a black spaghetti strap top. Destra and Shal performed crowd favourites such as Insane, Hands in the Air, Jumping, Everybody Gotta Love Somebody, Weh Yuh Want, Wine on Me, Ease the Tension and Wata.

Maximus Dan ran on stage at 2 a.m. His performance was a bit short but it was exhilarating. He performed Ah-Ah, Be Wise (Order, Don't Cross the Border), Earthquake and Look at the Gyal Dem Shape before he exited the stage.

By this time the entire venue was packed. At 2:51 a.m., Peter C, formerly of Ecstatik performed his single Taylala and left shortly afterwards.

At 3 a.m. Destra announced that it was almost time to hit the road. Deejay Switch took over the turntables spinning crowd favourites such as Yea You!, Get Mad, Wata, Bachelor, Turn Me On and others.

At 3:30 a.m. the event climaxed with the issuing of the paint. The fun had just begun. Revellers were seen throwing and splashing paint all over. At one time, the announcers threatened to discontinue playing the music, but they ignored him.

The party continued on to the streets in the wee hours of the morning. Bacchanal J'ouvert crowd then met up with the Jokers' Wild group on Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston.

Security personnel blocked off the entire road, and emergency vehicles were deployed just in case they were needed. There was even a mobile KFC cart issuing food to marchers.

Patrons danced and enjoyed every minute of it. Revellers that were exhausted retired to nearby seats, stairs, and sidewalks while some just sat in the road.

The STAR team left approximately 5:30 a.m. and the party continued onto Trafalgar Road.