Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Owen 'Blacka' Ellis

Spanish Town, St. Catherine

Patrons found it hard to control themselves at the Comedy Cabaret Dinner hosted by the Portmore Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Portmore Pines Plaza in St. Catherine, on Friday, after they were treated to a delightful musical feast and uproarious comedy.

Saxophonist Dean Fraser provided a soothing accompaniment to the scrumptious meal that was served. Dwight Richards and Friends followed successfully in entertaining the lively and receptive crowd.

Singer Tarrus Riley followed a nimble Brazilian Capoeira troupe and proved to be a real ladies' heart-throb.

However, it was when MC Pretty Boy Floyd called Blacka Ellis on to the stage that the real action started. Ellis wasted no time in delivering witty jokes through social commentary.

Woman have it easier

He told the audience that women had it easier than men and explained that even at the bathroom women have two garbage bins, and a relaxing setting while men, for the most part, are forced to use urinals.

"This is what the real name 'Neighbourhood Watch' came from," he said. The crowd erupted. Ellis also explained that women are free to hug each other, but this is taboo for men.

According to Ellis, in times past, men had to romance a woman in very creative ways: "When yu throw one stone on the roof top, yu ask if anybody is there, when yu throw two, yu asking for a chups, but nowa-days it is totally different as people just meet, greet and do it."

Even the dress code, the comedian said, has changed. "Yu use to have to remove certain items of clothing to see a woman's bottom, but nowadays, yu have to remove the bottom, and look very good to see the clothes."

Before wrapping up his set, Ellis related an experience of being caught relieving himself in a ladies room.

"A woman walked in and did not approve and she said, 'you should not be inside here, what are you doing?'

Tarrus Riley

Insults

"And I asked her, if she did not see what I was doing, she is insulting mi, she said that it should only be used by ladies; pointing to a certain area of my anatomy, I told her, this too is only to be used by ladies."

The duo Ity and Fancy Cat continued the momentum. They first had a roll call for persons who finished their pay, independent women, 'false hair' woman and who have their money in Cash Plus, to the audience's delight.

Biggest ghetto

They also asked for all the ghetto people to raise their hands but no one did.

"All a uno hold up uno hand because Portmore a the biggest ghetto in Jamaica," they demanded.

Several dance moves later and some witty commentary, the gregarious duo brought the curtain down. It was a satisfied audience that departed, with a few expressing that it was a night well spent.

Ity (left) and Fancy Cat show off their dancing skills at the Portmore Chamber of Commerce and Industries presents 'Comedy Cabaret', held at the Portmore Pines Plaza, on Friday, December 28. - photos by Winston Sill/ Freelance Photographer