The Jamaica Star :: Entertainment :: Artistes promote weekly dances

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Assassin and Macka Diamond - file

Since the early 2000s, many weekly street dances have sprung up across the island but only some have managed to survive.

Dancehall artistes have joined the trend, staging their own dances, but will they stand the test of time?

Notable Corporate Area street dances which fizzled included 'Bad Mind Sundays' at Northside Plaza, Liguanea; 'Early Mondays' in Standpipe, Liguanea; 'Kool Tuesdays' in Matthews Lane; 'Better Tuesdays' in Portmore (St Catherine); 'Stress Free Thursdays' on Windward Road, and 'Jiggy Fridays' in Arnett Gardens.

Still strong

However, some have remained strong such as Uptown Mondays, Weddy Weddy Wednesdays and Passa Passa.

Recently, there have been new dances such as Gabba Sundays at Nannyville in St Andrew, Feelings Fridays held in Arnett Gardens, Bembe Thursdays on Constant Spring Road in St Andrew, Passion Sundays at Hillview Avenue and Chi Ching Chewsdays at Stony Hill in St Andrew.

The wave has also hit Antigua as they now have Colour Colour Fridays.

Dancehall artistes are quite optimistic their street dances will last.

There is Beenie Tuesdays and Bounty Sundays in Majesty Gardens (Back-To) but both were banned by police in the area, fearing violence would develop between rival groups in the community.

Assassin also started Girls Gone Wild Tuesdays at Weekenz on Constant Spring Road, Voicemail started Voicemail Saturdays at Gem Road, off Maxfield Avenue and Macka Diamond is set to start Money-O Sundays this week in Old Harbour.

Good support

When THE STAR spoke with Assassin after his first party on May 6, he was pleased with the support on the first night.

"Dem sey first impressions are lasting, and we really appreciate the turnout ... It's a great start," Assassin said.

He also wanted to make it clear that 'Girls Gone Wild Tuesdays' was going to be a party with a difference.

"Is just a party without the negative vibes. Is not no segregation ting. From yuh a artiste an' a do music, yuh can come an' expect fi hear yuh tune play. Suh to me, this is just a step in getting the music back in the right place," Assassin said.

Macka Diamond is also optimistic about her weekly dance. She said it would go well if the event is kept safe.

"If wi keep it secure and violence-free it will go on good. Wi a try draw in people from Mandeville, May Pen and St Catherine. Dem nuh really have nutten back that side so mi naah worry seh it a go pop down. Wi just know seh a enjoyment and it a go big," she told THE STAR.

Woman thing

She added: "This Money-O thing is for the enhancement of women. So they (female artiste) can come here to hear their music, 'cause it is going to endorse our thing. This will show seh wi ting dem hot an' nuh only play pon radio. Wi naah go be selfish so wi a go play fi dem ting too."

She said the party would start at 6 p.m. with oldies music until 9 p.m. After that, the bashment will start, music from the early '90s to 2008. She said this was to facilitate both young and old people at the event. In addition, there will be money and phone-card giveaways.