Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer

Left: American gospel singer Israel performing to a responsive crowd during the presentation of the Best Dressed 50 Fest, held at the Dump Up Beach in MoBay, on Saturday. Right: DJ Nicholas speaking to the crowd about his life and delivering a rousing performance.

WESTERN BUREAU:

With a police estimate of 45,000, western Jamaica graciously accepted the 'Thank you Jamaica' gesture of Jamaica Broilers' Best Dressed 50 Fest at Dump Up Beach on Friday and Saturday.

The Gleaner-sponsored event was unparalleled to anything, either secular or sacred, with gospel music presented as its zenith. While it is 'Christianly' expedient and now a fashionable cliché in these circles for performers to say, "We are not here for nothing else but to preach the word," none of these performers wanted a poor showing according to worldly standards.

Having given that preamble as an apology, Papa San went to work. For about an hour and 10 minutes this musical maestro kept the massive throng alive, responding to his every beck and call. Using every era of Jamaican music, from the ska to the present to deliver the message, people were just blown away by his versatility.

For the pious whose Christianity is defined by sackcloth and ashes, this highly festive display was not without the message of the saving grace of God. The revelation by Papa San that three of his siblings, along with his father, were killed and that following that incident a gun was placed at the back of his head, but misfired, drew tears and alleluia from some patrons.

The people loved it

Team Faith doing a stunt at light-wire height. - photos by Richard Morais

While Papa San was the performer of the event, it was by no means a one man show as Israel Haughton turned the massive throng into his backup choir and people took over his songs and delivered them. For the most part, this talented keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist let the music do the talking, and the people loved it.

Toby Mac and his crew of gospel rockers could be regarded in Jamaica parlance as the 'energy gods'. While, surprisingly, his songs were well known by the crowd, even if You were hearing them for the first time, the sheer energy onstage would have kept you enthralled.

DJ Nicholas and Prodigal, using the popular Jamaica DJ genre, had the massive crowd rocking to the rhythm. It was a sea of blue when Prodigal asked the audience to flick their phone lights in one of the more picturesque moments during the show. DJ Nicholas retold the story of his life and had the audience's rapt attention. Carlene Davis, Omari and New Generation also did lively sets.

Thousands surrendered to the message of Miles McPherson and even though the festival was well planned with councillors on the ground, the sheer magnitude of the crowd tested the ability to react to those who responded to the call.

People started arriving from as early as midday for both days, and by the start of the fiesta segment of the presentation at 3 o'clock, sizeable gatherings were already in place. They were treated to some breathtaking stunts by Untitled Skateboard, Stunt Dudes and Team Faith.

These gravity- and balance-defying skateboarders, pedal and dirt bikers thrilled the audience with their stunts. Some of the more memorable stunts included the momentary separation of man from machine by the dirt bikers Team Faith, while they hurled at light-wire height through the air.

The bicycle somersaults by Stunt Dudes was also one of the crowd favourites as wild cheers went up when the stunt was done.

See a report on the Kingston leg of the event in The Gleaner later this week.

A member of Untitled Skateboard leaping over another in a spectacular stunt. The stunt started on the board then saw him leaping from it and over the team member before catching the skateboard again without losing his balance.

One of the many gravity-defying stunts that drew tremendous cheers from the audience.

In an article in The Gleaner on Monday, May 5, the words ‘Gleaner-sponsored event’ were inadvertently added in reference to the Best Dressed 50 Fest. We apologise to the organisers and sponsor of the event for the error.