A scene from Jamaica Carnival's 'Blowout #1' on New Year's Day at the Marketplace. - Winston Sill
IF THERE is no other marker for the return of Carnival time, the sight of shorts and sneaker-clad masses jumping about and waving rags/flags (and whatever else they get a hold of) is surely it. This was the sight to behold on Tuesday night at the Marketplace on Constant Spring Road. It was the first day of the new year, and many die-hard soca fans made it their point of duty to be there for the first blow out, as Jamaica Carnival was stomped off with the theme For Me and For You.
While the parking lot held only half its capacity, the patrons were obviously serious soca fans and went with the vibe from early in the night.
The Dragonnaires was playing with Oscar B, Audra, Jumo, and Cedric playing the role of lead singers. The group was filled with a lot of energy and often succeeded in sending the audience into a frenzy with their selections. Peter Phillips Disco provided music during the breaks between sessions.
As such, they often encouraged the rag-waving fetish that affects soca fans, causing even those who have forgotten their waving material to fling their hands into the air sans rag. This was extremely evident when, in the spirit of the new year, Audra encouraged the crowd to join her in a count down from 1 to 20. They eagerly joined in this topsy-turvy countdown and went into another flag waving frenzy when they reached 20.
Of course, it is a soca session and thus much wining took place, especially on the stage. Audra sorely tested the strength of her skirt (if one can call it that) as she swung, twisted and shook her 'bam-bam' in time to the music. The men were not to be outdone however, as all three men showed that they too could handle their business.
One very prominent feature of the night was the number of instructions given and people's willingness to follow them. It is actually amazing that in this country, where we are still unable to figure out what the red of the traffic light means, we can so easily move to the left and then to the right on command, once its a soca song.
In fact, it got to the point where the audience was instructed to turn in all directions and walk until instructed to turn. Finally, in what must have been an attempt to cause pure mayhem, the crowd was given the instruction to move in any direction they chose. Fortunately, several persons simply jumped up and down while others impersonated headless chickens with great delight.
Jerry D and Norma Brown-Bell played emcees for the night. However, neither were very impressive at inspiring a crowd response. When Jerry D came on-stage with his usual hype, he wished the crowd a happy New Year and asked them to join him in yelling Happy New Year. However, only a few whistles responded to his request. The audience seemed much more intent on getting their freak on, as encouraged by Missy Eliott.
Critics of Jamaica Carnival have often said that their problem with it is that it is a purely commercial venture. Whether this is true or not, the behaviour of those on-stage surely went a long way in indicating that it was. There was heavy promotion of all the sponsors, not only in praising them for sponsorship. The crowd was told by Oscar B to "use Cable and Wireless, buy Pick Three and drink Red Stripe."
