BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WHILE some people opted for a quiet day on the beach or in the comfort of their homes, hundreds of revellers from the Sandy Point and surrounding communities took to the streets of that town to display united revelry at the Black San’ Bang-a-Lang J’Ouvert Jump Up.
Shortly after 7:00 a.m. yesterday morning (Apr. 1), the familiar sound of the Small Axe Band filled the Cleverly Hill atmosphere where a crowd was gathered.
The Band effortlessly got their fans in the dancing mood with – among others - the popular song ‘Drop, Cover, Hold On’ and another of their creations which is based on a saying made popular during the January 29, 2013 sitting of the Federal Parliament, ‘Dem dey ah hog, ah hog dey be’.
The bounce, shake, drinking and gyrations synonymous with J’Ouvert were far from absent during yesterday’s activity and, with the exception of brief sporadic pauses in music and movement, the jam session lasted for approximately five hours before culminating at Pump Bay.
But before that, there was the wet down!
After leaving the Main Road, revellers flooded Fahie’s Road where firemen were on hand and ready to douse the fun-lovers, and that they did. Seemingly, the music-water combination was considered “de sweetest part ah de jam”.
Overcast skies - which transitioned in pouring rain – were not enough to dissuade the participants from taking full advantage of the experience.
Whether in the Swim or Sink (SOS) troupe with Small Axe or in the Fig Tree Revellers Troupe which jammed to the sounds of Ronnie Rascal’s Hi-fi, the rhythm and bass and gyrating waists produced an event that revellers claimed was unforgettable.
The band and hi-fi as well as their followers, arrived at Pump Bay sometime after noon but the merriment was far from over as a beach fete ensued, ending at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Seanel Riley - President of Black San’s organiser SPIRIT (Sandy Pointers Inspiring Real Improvement Throughout) said the event was a success and thanked revellers for their support.
“We’ve seen the best J’Ouvert yet because we have doubled the crowd from last year. We had an incident free J’Ouvert morning. Black San is about unity and bringing communities together, and we want to thanks everyone for their support and to commend persons for their good behaviour during the event.”
