by Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

In Jamaica, a dance is an event or a body movement and within the latter, there is a range from the sedate to the exotic type. Right now, the distinctions are very important to music producer and sound system owner Maurice 'Jack Scorpio' Johnson.

The dance celebrating his birthday, as well as his 37th anniversary in the business of playing and making music, is slated for November 4 at La Roose, Port Henderson Road, St. Catherine. However, there has been a recent report that there will be daylight exotic dancing at the popular Portmore 'back road' venue, to complement nighttime activities.

And with a line-up which includes Ken Boothe, Gregory Isaacs, Capleton, Luciano, Josey Wales, Yellowman, Lady G and Ninja Man, Scorpio is at pains to explain that while both kinds of parties will be taking place at La Roose on his anniversary date, they will be totally separate.

"Is two separate place. One is a club. One is a open place with nice fresh breeze," Johnson said. Dancing of the exotic kind will take place in the enclosed club, while the anniversary dance will be in the open space. "If you come to the club, you pay different from if you come to the dance," he said.

Johnson pointed out that it is not much different from night-clubs that have different clubs inside and the patron has a choice of which one they wish to patronise. There are also parties where there are multiple stages with different sound systems or performers on simultaneously.

The exotic dancing will naturally be out of sight of the dance, Scorpio emphasising that his event will be on the grounds, which is open-air.

In recent times, the Gemini exotic dancing club in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, has hosted live concerts.