'An Evening of Dance'

THE JAMAICA Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) celebrated their 40th anniversary with the style and flair of classical dance, and the hype and vibe of party dancing.

'An Evening of Dance', sponsored by Round Hill Hotel and Villas, was a short but spicy package, featuring four pieces from the NDTC. Patrons at this first of the two-part celebration, on Thursday night at the Little Theatre were treated to an evening of absolute excellence.

Among the dignitaries in attendance was Dame Louisy, the Governor-General of St. Lucia.

The first number was an alluring piece that took the audience through 'blue moods' as different shades of blue flew across the stage. 'Azure', choreographed by Arlene Richards, was aptly described as 'fluid, undulating, mesmerising, organic.'

Then the stage came alive with a different vibe. Congo Laye, choreographed by Arsenio Andrade, filled the halls of the Little Theatre with the sound of pounding, screaming drums, while dancers joined in with raw power and boundless energy -- the movement and passion of the mother land, Africa!

Next, the audience was "caught up" with the flowing, captivating beauty of Arlene Richards 'Cry Of The Spirit'. The dance swayed and played the mystical scales of emotions, sometimes soft and delicate, at other times giving way to the intoxicating power of the music. The final number, 'Ritual Of Sunrise', bore the Rex Nettleford stamp of excellence. It was bright, colourful and lively, a stark contrast to the previous number, awakening the audience is if from a trance. Perfect to close the show, in preparation for the second half of their celebration, which continued on Friday at Jamaica House.

From their very first note, on the second night, Byron Lee and The Dragonaires placed their stamp of approval on the JHTA's anniversary celebrations. Dubbed "Jamaica Night", the party started when the familiar melody of soca music, infused with its infectious beats began influencing bodies to bounce, waistlines to slowly gyrate and 'Hands-in-de-air'. After a long week of work, there was no holding back, as everyone was in a party mood. So strong was the party vibe, when Tourism Minister Portia Simpson-Miller arrived, she only briefly extended congratulations on behalf of the government.

"This is your party!" she shouted. "Rise up, stand up -- get together and feel alright!" she charged, and the veteran band, on cue, started the music once more.

They continued the Minister's sentiments with a medley of Bob Marley songs, Three Little Birds, One Love, and No Woman No Cry.

The crowds sang along in unison. But then it was back to the party. The patrons, now well over 100, seemed hungry to "wine down". Shouts of glee filled the night as the singers rolled into soca music once more with the sound of someone knocking at the door:

"knock, knock, knock, knock!"

"Who is it?"

"It's the plumber - ah come to fix you sink- whoy!"

And the soca music flowed like uninhibited water, as Byron Lee and the Dragonaires showered decades of soca music upon the thirsty crowd, as they partied with the JHTA way into the night.

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