Adrian Frater, News Editor
Left: Patrons waving their soca rags as the Sumpreme Ventures Carnival got hot in Negril, on Friday night. Right: Jumo getting on bad at the Supreme Ventures Carnival, in Negril, on Friday night. - PHOTOS BY ADRIAN FRATER
WESTERN BUREAU:
AGAINST A backdrop of blaring whistles and gyrating soca fans, the 2006 Supreme Ventures Jamaica Carnival train hit the track in phenomenal style at the Jungle Car Park, in Negril, on Friday night with an unforgettable session dubbed 'Ocean Fix '06'.
It was fun and frolic at its very best, as the legendary Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, dancehall/soca DJ Admiral Bailey and Rising Star second place winner, Noddy Virtue, kept the soca massive in a dancing frenzy 'till the early hours of Saturday morning.
Amid the excitement, 22-year-old Delvalyn Gayle, of Camp Savannah in Grange Hill, Westmoreland, had a special moment of glory as she won the coveted Gleaner/Star Tiney Winey Contest.
"Oh ... I am very happy about this," said the energetic Gayle, who upstaged four other contestants for the title. "I would love to win the grand (contest) in Kingston, because I would do well with that $10,000."
LATE START
The event, slated to start at 8:00 p.m., actually got started at 10:30 p.m. with only a handful of patrons in the car park. However, with the Byron Lee and the Dragonaires cast, which featured Oscar B, Jumo, Cindy Lewis and Ashley Martin, pumping up sweet music, the venue was jam-packed within an hour.
Utilising their trademark crowd-participation techniques, Oscar B and Jumo soon had the crowd 'pumping it up' and 'backing it up' as whistles blast and white rags twirled in unison. Songs such as, Tic Tac, Don't Stop, Open Wide, a new composition, and the reggae flavoured, Bun Him and Tuck in Yuh Belly kept the tempo at fever pitch.
SWEET MIX
Amid give-aways by MC Jerry D, the happy crowd kept on going. When Byron Lee and the Dragonaires left the stage, the crowd simply switched their attention to the sound system, which was offering up a sweet mix of R&B and dancehall ballads.
Following the Tiney Winey Contest, which evoked maximum audience participation, the Dragonaires returned and quickly recaptured their earlier magic. It was all musical ecstasy as the energetic Jumo took the crowd through a dazzling dance class, which saw him expertly demonstrating a range of dance styles.
At 12:54 a.m., the excitement was lifted to another level when Admiral Bailey hit the stage, and the crowd exploded with delight. Songs such as, One Scotch, Della Move, Jump Up, Big Belly Man and Hot Me Coming in Hot, all flowed sweetly from the veteran DJ's tongue as the dancing crowd urged him on.
TATTY DANCE CONTEST
When Oscar B joined Admiral Bailey for their masterful rendition of, Soca Butterfly, a healthy dose of humour was added as they engaged in a rib-tickling Tatty Dance contest. MC Jerry D also joined the fray, showing that he too had dazzling dancing skills.
Noddy Virtue, who followed Admiral Bailey to the stage, was not as energetic, but he was equally commanding. Using his customary charisma, he was all emotion as he reeled off Rebel in Me, Broken Arrow and Picture on The Wall like a professional.
Like the thousands in television land, who supported him in the Rising Star Contest, the Negril crowd really warmed to Noddy Virtue, rocking and grooving to his music, while shouting words of encouragement to him.
The departure of Noddy Virtue from the stage signalled the start of more high-energy excitement as Byron Lee and the Dragonaires returned. It was like the party had started out again as patrons from other events in Negril joined the happy crowd in the car park. Despite the coolness of the morning, perspiration continued to flow as the soca train kept on rolling.
