Rain-drenched JerkFest was awesome
Published:Saturday | August 10, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:Despite regular bouts of rain throughout the day, the 2013 MoBay Jerk Fest at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre in Montego Bay was chock-full of excitement as patrons, some of them soaked to the bone, gleefully mixed food and music to their hearts' content.
While the children had a ball sampling the varied 'jerk' options - pork, fish, chicken, shrimp, crab, among other delicacies on offer, it was the entertainment package which had adults in a tizzy. Headline artistes were Aidonia, RDX, the eye-catching Alaine, and the veteran Professor Nuts.
For many, the undisputed star was Alaine, as in a highly interactive performance she sparkled all the way. She belted out songs like Fly Away, Dreaming, and a sweet cover of Gregory Isaacs' Tune In. As fans warmed to her, she took things up a notch, dancing her way charmingly through True Colours and No Ordinary Love.
Professor Nuts drew a lot of giggles, especially from the children, as he hit top gear with songs like Woman Deh Yah, Tan Suh Back, Don't Put It Deh, and the provocative Me Car. When he left the stage, the crowd begged for an encore, but he did not oblige, as he had to leave for another engagement in St Catherine.
Like he did when he appeared on the recent star-studded Dancehall Night edition of Reggae Sumfest, Aidonia reeled off songs like Bad People and Tip Pon Yu Toe, which had fans screaming in delight. Being the closing act, he made sure the fans went home in an upbeat mood.
While clearly not matching the enviable heights attained by Aidonia, Alaine and Professor Nuts, RDX managed to hold their own, especially when they had the audience jumping in unison as they belted out Girl, Mek Yu Body Jump, which was clearly a crowd favourite.
Among the other acts who made an indelible mark were gospel singer Keisha Peart; the St James High School dancers, who excelled in the 2013 Dancin' Dynamites contest; former lead singer of Byron Lee and The Dragonaires, Cindy Lewis; Prizzy J; top-flight Montego Bay deejay Libran; and Chilando.
Popular selector Dexter Pepper, who is known for his witty dancehall slangs, created quite a stir when in a 10-minute intermission segment he unleashed a string of gospel hits, which he toasted over skilfully to add flavour and excitement.
During the excitement on the stage, patrons got a treat of another type with a colourful fireworks display, much to the delight of the children. In fact, for close to 10 minutes, the sky, which looked dark and dreary for most of the day, sparkled like a well-polished gem.