Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Dr Donna Hope.

It is just past 2:00 a.m. on Emancipation Day 2008 and, on the grounds of the Senior Common Room, UWI, Mona, the typical after- session clean-up is in progress. A small enclosed truck is backing up for the sound system, a group of students is analysing the party, the Hot 102FM and Wata signs signal corporate support.

It is the end of the '80s and '90s music party 'Pop Style'. It is the beginning for Full-Ah Hope Productions, run by UWI lecturer and talk-show host Dr Donna Hope.

The name reflects personal and professional outlook ("Full of hope," she muses), "in the sense that it has all these positive aspirations. The party 'Pop Style' is a spin-off of that".

Positive education

The intention is to utilise dancehall as a launching pad for other initiatives and Hope says "one thing I plan to do is to use media output for positive education". She points out that while there are many shortcomings and critics in the society "we are not plugging the loopholes".

Hope remembers that when she was a teenager the National Family Planning Board had the 'two is better than two many' advertisement, but now "we do not have many things like that".

As for 'Pop Style', the party's name taken from a Terror Fabulous song, Hope says, "I was happy that the event got off the ground. We had a lot of fun. I am pleased about it. I hope we can make it an annual event".

Sponsors included Hot 102FM, CVM TV and WISYNCO through Cyclone, Wata and Coca-Cola.

Filling the gap

Gearing the music, played by Julian Jones of Radio 94FM, towards the '80s as well as the '90s, was meant to help fill the gap between 'oldies' and contemporary music events. "I believe we have a great deal of events that focus on the contemporary music and a lot of people doing the oldies," Hope said. "I think we can add more to the serving, where people can dance."

As such, the invitation was to 'dance the night away'.

And there is no doubt about her favourite dancehall artiste of the era. "Shabba Ranks," Hope said.