Alessandro Boyd, Star Reporter
Left: Dancer Lateisha looks stylish in stripes as she took centrestage at one of the staging of Bembe Thursdays held at Weekenz, Constant Spring Road. - nathaniel stewart
Center: The daredevils among them, showed their skill at Bembe. - nathaniel stewart
Right: This patron proves she is 'no boring gal. - winston sill
"It's about the girls," that's what Richie Feelings had to say when contacted about his weekly hosting of Bembe Thursday's and Feelings Fridays.
"We deh in a radio station one day an say, yuh know sey me a turn dancer, me ago name Bembe Marble. Likkle more from dat, di people from Weekenz link me an say dem wah start a Thursday ting, Biggy say call it Bembe Thursday, an the Bembe Squad jus come together an deal wid it," Feelings said.
The Bembe Squad consists of Richie Feelings, Tony Matterhorn, Jigsy, Penny Bling, Rolexx, Razz and Biggy.
Since being staged for the first time on October 12, 2006, Bembe has been a hit. It has become one of the most popular and well attended dances in Kingston and proudly celebrated its first anniversary on Thursday October 18.
The celebration had the Bembe Squad and fans enjoying themselves as always with performances from artistes such as Mavado, Buju Banton, Bugle and Bounty Killa.
Two months old
However Bembe isn't the only weekly series Feelings has, as there is also Feelings Fridays, held every Friday in Havana, Arnett Gardens beside the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex.
Feelings Friday, named after Richie Feelings, is two months old and started on Good Friday.
"When people hear bout 'Jungle' dem always think say it full a zinc house an ting," Feelings said.
The idea, he said, is to give the public a better perception of the community.
Feelings Fridays is also visited on a weekly basis by many artistes, as the likes of Serani and Bugle have been there to perform.
Feelings Friday is still in the building process, however, and is still looking for sponsors and seeking to tour overseas as Bembe has done.
The Bembe Squad has toured the globe, playing in places such as New York, New Jersey, Japan, Cayman and now has a weekly staging in Miami.
The success of these events, it is believed, is based mostly on the emphasis placed on the females. Females, for instance are admitted free at Bembe whereas general admission is free for Feelings Fridays.
The music is also mainly selected for the females. "without the ladies yuh cyaa have nuttn," said Feelings.
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