This entry was written by guest blogger, Saran Hutchinson. Jamaicans are known for their love of music and dancing but how has the party experience changed given the recent events (now largely over) in Western Kingston? What now happens when the police, in a time-honoured tradition, come to "lock off the dance". Saran gives us a glimpse.
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Saran Hutchinson, guest blogger
Almost two weeks after the declaration of a state of emergency, Kingstonians are still a little unsure of their right to party.  Altitude, an Appleton sponsored event, is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and after a couple weeks of ‘lock down’ that seem like a lifetime, it is now time to step out again.  The party is being held on Skyline Drive, in the hills of Papine located in the parish of St. Andrew. My friend and I get to the parking facility at Jamaica College, a prestigious high school for boys, at approximately 12:30 am and embark the idling shuttle bus.  After waiting for about ten minutes, we’re on our way.  

The bus ride is an interesting one. There are strange grunting and grinding sounds from the bus and more than one person expresses concern about the safety of the vehicle.  At one point, after surviving many deep bends and hairpin turns, we arrive at a standstill and realize with horror that we are looking directly into the side of a mountain.  The driver, a dark, stout fellow, in glasses which apparently serve no useful purpose,  has grossly underestimated the depth of this corner.  Against all odds we make it out alive and arrive at the venue.  

Promotional material from Durex and Old Spice line the premises.  This is a residential neighbourhood and someone comments that the party will be turned off by the police. We all have a little chuckle and join the line to enter the party. The night is still young by Kingston partying standards and there are just a few people waiting in the queue.  

We get in.  Appleton brand alcohol is included in the entry price and we get a couple drinks. We feel we deserve them after the bus ride.  Vodka, beer, Guinness, and high end liquors are available for sale.  The DJ is set up on the lawn across from the bar which is slightly above the drive-way just past the entrance.  We pick a spot close to the bar and this is ours for the night. People are dressed to the hilt. Rosettes, stilettos, sequins (lots of sequins), even a few jackets and ties seem to be the order of the night. The party's promoters had urged "Dress to Impress" and that the patrons did. Admittedly, some people seem to have made an extra effort to fit snugly into their perhaps too  small outfits.

It is now just after 1:00 am and the party has a nice tempo. DJ Nicco has just graduated from the compulsory oldies vibes and is now playing house music. He is in fact so into what he's doing that he doesn't see the two officers dressed in their blue fatigues, rifles over their shoulders, approaching him from behind. The patrons however, notice them from the moment of entry and intently watch as they instruct the DJ to turn off the music.
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Party goers at Altitude - Photo courtesy of SociaLingua, socialingua.com
This is a time honoured tradition in Kingston partying: the police are frequently called upon to enforce the Night Noises Act. However, the deadline is usually 2:00 am so the officers have arrived well ahead of schedule. The DJ’s first reaction is to turn the volume down, the expected first move in the game. The officers are not satisfied.  There is a brief conversation after which the DJ and his assistant begin to unplug all their equipment.  Computer chords are being removed and all the gear is being dismantled.  Everyone at the party is checking their watches or phones and observing the sequence of events with disbelief. There is talk that there was no permit, some people grumble that in a state of emergency you have no rights, funny given the more extreme curtailment of freedoms in downtown Kingston. Some persons have literally just stepped into the party. 

The silence is daunting.  Prior to the state of emergency the officers may have been approached by several persons looking for a little leniency, a “bligh” in Jamaican parlance. Now the promoters appear to be at a loss.  They seem intimidated even as they try to speak to the officers.  The music has now been off for about fifteen minutes and people are incredulous.  Some of the officers,  part of a contingent of about ten, are walking through the party.  Interestingly, some stop to converse  with a few attractive ladies who appear to be “persons of interest”.  Now the bar is the place to be with persons commenting that they are going to drink their money’s worth. 

People leave in droves as now the situation seems hopeless and the party seems to be over. Another ten minutes pass and those remaining seem resolved that, since they’re already here, paid their money and drinks are available…might as well.

Then we hear the sound of a microphone being turned on.  The DJ is on the airwaves and he lets the people know that the officers have conceded and the music will now be played at low levels.  Wires are reconnected, equipment powered up, and the music is turned to a volume at which you can barely hear what is being played.   There is a round of applause in the fashion of Jamaicans touching down on the country’s tarmac after flying  Air Jamaica, there is a sense of relief.  Now people are coming back into the party.  Someone is overheard saying that he used the opportunity to come in at that point (without paying of course). 

The music volume eventually gets back to its original level, if not louder. The officers are nowhere to be seen.  People seem to be having a good time.  Supa Hype is now playing.  Cecile, Chris Martin, Richie Loop and other local celebrities are present and having what seems to be a good time.  We leave at about 3:30am. There is a shuttle waiting outside.  We had vowed to avoid the bus we had previously taken and had made specific note of the driver in question. Luckily he is nowhere to be seen.  We wait about five minutes and then we are on our way back to the parking lot. 

While going down the hill we come upon a bus and a car which seems to be parked to our right on the bend of the hill.  The driver asks and is told that the car has broken down. The bus is instructed to drive further into the corner lest our driver tear off the bumper from his bus. Again, thankfully, we are able to make it out in one piece.  We get into our car and make our way home, laughing together about the strange experiences we’ve just had.  We conclude that it was a good “coming out” after all the stress of the previous two weeks. I for one am looking forward to my next State of Emergency party event.
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Dancing at Altitude - Photo courtesy of SociaLingua, socialingua.com
 


Comments

SD
06/11/2010 09:36

Thank you Saran for your interesting take on the events. No pics of the 'persons of interest'?

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