Mash 2007…
GT&T's ‘Blue Power' delivers clear message!
By Alex Wayne
Kaieteur News
January 30, 2007
Despite a late start and a few minor glitches, the launch of the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph's (GT&T) ‘Blue Power' Costume Band concluded with patrons expressing total satisfaction of having experienced their money's worth.
Excitement began to bubble since around 15:00 hrs on Sunday, as provocatively dressed costume models streamed into the Thirst Park compound, ready to strut their stuff. Though some would have liked an early start to the event, this was prevented by members of the Brutal Jammers Band who took almost three hours rehearsing and testing equipment. Some felt that such rehearsals should have been done earlier in the day.
Nevertheless, in due time several local artistes took the stage, swaying and gyrating before a rapidly growing audience.
Timeka Marshall received a relatively lukewarm response from the expectant crowd, but the buzz was fully restored when soca sensation Marlon ‘Malo' Webster came on stage, performing several high energy renditions that left patrons begging for more.
Clinton ‘Passion' Adolphus and Celeste David were also at their best, but according to patrons the local segment of the programme was a bit too lengthy, leaving ‘hyped up and ready to roll' costume models to wait for long periods before going on stage.
While Guyana reggae ambassadors, ‘First Born' can sing well and have great stage appeal, the consensus was that their act would have better suited a reggae show.
The festive mood was enhanced when the first batch of female costume models displaying creative pieces by designer Derrek Moore came on stage. In creations that did wonders to the eyes, over twenty beauties created dazzle and glitz as they shook to pulsating hits from the Brutal Jammers Band.
Leading this contingent was the reigning dance hall queen ‘Anastasia', who surprisingly recovered from being struck on the head with a plank to lead the female revelers in sporting style.
The popular dancehall figure was accidentally clubbed on the head by a man who attacked one of the male costume models. She was rushed to the hospital, but returned shortly after, stating emphatically that “Nothing will stop me from burning up that stage tonight”.
When patrons thought that the excitement had reached its peak, they were in for a surprise. Not long after, Moore 's male contingent hit the stage clad in breathtaking costumes that caused jaws to drop and eyes to virtually pop out.
While skimpy was the order of the day, those amply covered almost tore up their costumes with frenzied movements. Patrons screamed with abandon as members of the Classique Dance Company and the reigning 2007 Mash Theme winner, Alex Wayne, engaged in a ‘Blue Power Wine Down' that sent a soca fever rippling through the crowd.
Sizzling sensuality and a case of soca inferno rippled through the venue when Olympia Small-Sonaram's models appeared in her costume creations. Feather and beads, sequins and fabric were fused into apparel which exuded frolic and raw sensuality.
While the ladies had the male crowd whistling and screaming incessantly, Sonaram's male models gave the opposite sex an equally compelling performance.
Then it was time for the soca queen, Allison Hinds to perform and her entrance was met with the customary energized reaction from an adoring audience. The diva did not disappoint the faithful and she was well supported by her two female dancers.
In the midst of the wild jubilation, a well known male prostitute distastefully jumped on stage and dropped his pants revealing his rear end. While Hinds paused in her performance to reprimand him for the unsavoury act, he was met with a hail of bottles and plastic cups from those among the crowd whom he angered with his uncalled for obscenity.
With the offensive element gotten rid of, the show continued with the renowned singer belting out melody after sweet melody, creating a satisfying conclusion to a night well spent.
The show concluded with murmurs around that it was one of the best shows to be held at the venue in a long while.
‘Blue Power' indeed delivered a clear message!