Caribbean Night improves on the model - Crowd turns out to second night of Fashionweek

Hasani Walters, Gleaner Writer

The turnout to the second night of Pulse's Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW) at the National Indoor Sports Centre was, in a word, good. When compared to Jamaica Night on Friday in terms of the turnout, Saturday's Caribbean Night was a resounding success. The patrons who filled the runway seats, flocked the party bar, and watched from the tiered seating beyond those, were not disappointed.

As the curtains were drawn bringing Fashionweek's second night to an end, some of the Caribbean's finest delivered fitting performances.

The show closer Machel Montano was in fine form as he continued the entertainment started by Fab 5 and David Rudder.

After Fab 5 and Rudder's performances, only a hint of what was to come next was given when Pulse head, Kingsley Cooper, bellowed, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is a CFW like no other," and at the announcement that Montano was next up, several cheers rang out.

His entrance brought with it pure entertainment and interaction with patrons.

And they seemed to enjoy every minute of it as the runway suddenly filled with patrons dancing to I Just Wanna Dance With You.

"Hold di riddim," Montano screamed at the disc jockey, before going line for line with patrons into the song. After that, he asked them to be his band as he showed them how to clap a rhythm before restarting the song.

One lady could not resist the temptation and got into his arms as they danced together.

He continued by acknowledging the independent ladies before singing the Roll It remix and So High, bringing the curtains of a good night down.

Earlier, the Fab 5 band clad in all white sang a plethora of songs with most being geared towards women.

The singer asked for their attention before going into Daville's Always On My Mind.

At this time, patrons began leaving the runway area where the bulk of patrons were located, to either look at the showcases in the display area or to leave the venue.

They showed appreciation for the ladies again through Tarrus Riley's She's Royal - a song which had women rocking.

By the time they had finished All Night Party, several of the patrons made their way back to the stage area and, with a bottle of water waving in one hand, The Fab 5 lead singer sang Rum N Red Bull and One Day before making his exit.

Rally Round The West Indies introduced David Rudder to the stage and, upon his entrance, he thoroughly entertained.

The song was met with a few whoops and, although the stage area was still fairly empty, those who were present sang to their heart's content.

Rocking and dancing

As patrons sang Sweet T&T, they formed a train and moved in a circle with hands in the air and hips swinging from side to side as they danced on the runway.

Rudder had the audience obeying his every instruction.

He sang Give Praise, which also had patrons rocking and dancing as they celebrated with their hands high in the air.

The only ingredient missing from the mix was later added through Montano's performance.

Earlier, the Caribbean was in full show as Trinidad's Meiling, Jamaica's Shenna Carby (Mission Catwalk winner), The Dominican Republic's Jenny Polanco and Jae Jolly, had lovely showings and were not to be outdone by Europe's Spoerry 1866, who ended the fashion segment of proceedings in fine style.