Entertainment

Winds of dissent at Summer Breezes

CLAUDINE HOUSEN,Staff Reporter

A couple enjoys the music despite the absence of several of the major acts at the Summer Breezes: The Barefoot Beach Party event in Negril, Westmoreland. - claudine housen

western bureau

THE ABSENCE OF several of the major acts, Beenie Man, Turbulence and Twins of Twins, at Summer Breezes: the Barefoot Beach Party on Friday, angered several of the patrons who had forked out $1,500 to enter the Negril, Westmoreland staged event.

So disappointed were some of the patrons that at least one woman threatened to sue the promoters of the event.

"This is the first time mi a stay up past 9 p.m.," said one female patron who did not want to give her name. "I wanted to see Beenie. I gwey sue him (the promoter). Mi no want just refund, mi want my hourly fee for every hour him keep me up."

Her sentiments where mirrored by another woman, a female British national. She threatened to report the event to the embassy when she returned home.

The much touted show which was expected to be hosted by 'The Doctor' Beenie Man turned out to be a 'glorified' beach session with only a few of the advertised acts performing and the patrons left to the mercy of the selectors.

Disc jockeys Liquid and Razz and Biggy and the Coppershot sound system, who worked the turntables from about midnight, struggled to build the 'vibe' at what was supposed to be the main event for that night of the ATI weekend of events.

Not even the high-energy dance routines of Voisemail and the catchy phrases of upcoming artiste Busy Signal could save the show as once these artistes exited the stage there were renewed questions as to the whereabouts of Beenie Man from the patrons.

According to one member of the production team, Beenie Man had a show in Guyana the night before and he apparently missed his flight to Jamaica. There were no explanations given for the absence of Twins of Twins and Turbulence.

Still hopeful that the Doctor would somehow arrive, some patrons lingered and allowed the selectors to somewhat ease some of the disappointment with songs such as Akon's Locked Up and Junior Gong's Welcome to Jamrock. Others left the party however, murmuring about their wasted money and stating that they should have 'bottled' the event.

The party finished at shortly after 4 a.m. with Coppershot and Liquid still at the helm.