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Slow-starting J'ouvert ends well

Published:Tuesday | May 3, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Paint does not stop these patrons from dancing at Bacchanal Jamaica J'ouvert and Road March at Mas Camp Village. - Photos by Winston Sill
Paint always seems to make it easier to have fun at a soca party, as these ladies prove during Bacchanal Jamaica J'ouvert and Road March at Mas Camp Village, Oxford Road, on Friday night. - photos by Winston Sill
Purple never looked so good. These two young ladies go all out during Bacchanal Jamaica J'ouvert and Road March.
This guitarist plays while Fayon Lyons waits for her husband Bunji Garlin to join her in song during Bacchanal Jamaica J'ouvert and Road March at Mas Camp Village, Oxford Road, on Friday night.
Fayon Lyons and a guitarist get into the music during Bacchanal Jamaica J'ouvert and Road March at Mas Camp Village, Oxford Road, on Friday night.
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Although it got off to a very slow start, those who gathered at the Mas Camp Village for the final night of the Bacchanal series Acropolis Bacchanal J'ouvert, had a good time. Cars lining the streets off Oxford Road were notably absent at minutes to 12. Inside the venue, the story was the same.

Patrons tried to heighten the electricity in the venue as the minutes rolled on, initially to no avail.

Maybe they were just saving all the energy for soca stars Bunji Garlin and his wife Fayon Lyons, the night's guest performers.

Forming a circle, the audience watched as patrons tried to dance away the empty-venue blues.

This was entertaining until Gizelle, the evening's emcee, began coaxing the patrons to "get on bad".

The electricity increased.

Old and new hits hit home, but the venue was still scanty.

Bunji Garlin entered the stage at one o'clock in the morning. Again, the electricity increased. Unfortu-nately, Bunji couldn't keep the tempo where his introduction had left it.

The soca artiste drew from his repertoire, but fell flat on many occasions, losing many patrons on the way.

Ten minutes into his performance, he was joined by Fayon Lyons.

Bursts of energy

The union brought bursts of energy, as members of the audience followed the directions they issued.

Flags, drinks, shirts and what-ever patrons could find were being waved in the air.

Fayon then turned up the energy levels with her hit Get On, which had the venue in a frenzy.

This was the first time the entire venue reacted favourably to a song.

Bunji and Fayon soon launched into a lyrical battle of the sexes, and the crowd showed their appreciation with loud applause.The duo also played what they dubbed "tennis" with the audience. Patrons bounced from one side of the venue to the next in a smooth and continuous rhythm.

"I hope the J'ouvert organisers have insurance fi dis place, 'cause right now we goin' mash up di place," said Fayon.

It was two o'clock, and soon the paint came out.

White, purple and blue colours were being launched across the Mas Camp venue, as patrons did their best to splatter paint onto everybody.

It was soon time for the road march, which went from Oxford Road to Knutsford Boulevard, and back around to Mas Camp.