By Nathelie Taylor, Gleaner Writer
Rain did not deter the faithful at Renaissance's 14th birthday party, dubbed 'The Rebirth' at Temple Hall Estate in Stony Hill. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
WHEN YOU see someone with a broken leg aided by a crutch doing the latest dance moves at a party, you know it was an event worth attending.
Everyone simply had to be there. So, even at 3:30 a.m. when some people began filing out and the rain began to drizzle again others (dressed to the nines) were just making their way to a 'bashment' birthday party for a bashment sound.
A Goodfellaz Entertainment event, Renaissance's 14th birthday party, 'The Rebirth' at Temple Hall Estate in Stony Hill, St. Andrew, was nothing less than thrilling.
As expected, women came out in their best, tightest and skimpiest outfits.
Long legs embraced by micro-mini skirts graced the wet grounds. Hips were hugged lovingly by tight low-rider jeans and breasts seemed a little too eager to jump out of their barely-there trappings.
OLD TUNES AND NEW TUNES
Cigar smoke, blown from the lips of slightly inebriated patrons, clung to the air as tightly as the men did their women. Empty cups were quickly refilled. Patrons were just as eager to jiggle to the old tunes as they were to newer songs. The party mood never waned, even when Renaissance turned down the tempo just a bit with some conscious lyrics, especially those paying tribute to moms and grandmas. As usual, Sizzla's songs received many 'forwards' and DYCR's Delroy caused immediate laughter.
The Rebirth was not just about celebration however, since the initial mood was one of reflection by the Renaissance crew through their musical selections. Starting with old favourites from the early '90s when Renaissance 'jus a bus' the selectors took the patron down memory lane.
Several times DJ Oxtail even asked the crowd if they remembered certain songs and always got an appreciative response. Large screens at the back of the stage and around the venue which featured photos and videos of the sound system 'back in the day' also helped patrons reminisce with the crew.
However, before patrons could soak up the vibes, they had to navigate a precariously muddy path from the car park to the main venue. This almost treacherous walk put a short-lived damper on guests' mood.
Many had to literally jump and pick the most dry areas to walk in. Ladies in heels were obviously distressed as their fancy strappy footwear were soon encased in the slush left behind by the earlier rainfall. The ground inside the venue, the entrance being shrouded by a red canopy trimmed with gold, was just the same - slippery and sticky. Luckily however, there was a wooden 'dance floor' (albeit not a large one) located just in front of the selectors' booth.
However, the mud, wetness and ever-lurking possibility of more rain did not deter people from enjoying themselves. Actually, the weather seemed to propel a more feverish tempo among patrons. When the rain began to lightly fall at 2:55 a.m., instead of trying to shelter, they started to 'call dung di rain' - another new dance craze.
Speaking of dance crazes, it was 'pure niceness' when Sadiki and his crew were invited on-stage to teach patrons a number of the latest steps.
Dressed from head to toe in red and white, Sadiki agilely demonstrated the new moves to an eager crowd.
From the complimentary liquor that flowed freely, to the precision juggling of the Renaissance selectors, everything was 'good to go' for a great night.
