Kandré McDonald, Freelance Writer
Member of the Pro-Impact Stunt Team perform stunts at the Mountain Dew Stunt Festival at Jamalco Sports Club in Clarendon on Monday. - NATHANIEL STEWART/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
THE MOUNTAIN Dew Stunt Festival, staged on Monday at the Jamalco Sports Club, Halse Hall, Clarendon, was nothing short of spectacular.
Thousands of persons turned out to witness some breathtaking stunts, courtesy of the Pro-Impact Stunt Team from the United States of America. There were also those who turned out for performances from Mr. Vegas, Kiprich, Macka Diamond, Black-Er, and others.
Many of the patrons turned out early to enjoy the day's activities, which was more than enough to keep a constant smile on the faces of the thousands of children there. There were lots of rides, including a simulator, bounce-abouts, a train, several merry go-rounds, ferris wheels, go-kart, a mechanical bull, among other things. However, many children were out to see the stunts.
GRAVITY-DEFYING STUNTS
The Pro-Impact Stunt team of Mat, Benji, Omar, Jeff and Art, all from different parts of the United States, wowed the crowd with their spectacular, gravity-defying stunts on bicycles and skateboards. There were constant shouts of 'woooo', 'haaa', 'wow', lots of screaming and whistling, and the odd call of 'JESAS!' during the demonstrations.
Stunts like the 'superhuman air', and the 360º manoeuvres sent waves of shouts through the crowd. But the back flip by Mat and Omar on bicycles really had the crowd on the tip of their toes. When Mat took it a little further and did a back flip while simultaneously spinning his bicycle and removing his foot from the pedals, the crowd went wild with excitement.
The stunt team only got to do three sets instead of the planned four because of poor lighting, but from all indications one can safely say that the patrons were satisfied.
COMPETITIONS
During the breaks between the stunt shows, emcee Christine Hewitt kept the energy level in the venue up by hosting a number of competitions. She ensured that order was kept on and around the stage, and that no artiste came onstage and used lewd lyrics.
The entertainment continued later in the evening with the stage performances. Hewitt remained the host. The show was moving smoothly until Conrad Crystal and Sugar Roy took the stage. The two did a fairly decent set and left the stage hoping to be called on for an encore. When the encore was not forthcoming and Hewitt began to introduce Vegas, Conrad Crystal ran unto the stage and demanded a microphone, arguing that Hewitt 'diss' him. His microphone was soon turned off and Christine, upset by the incident, said that she was not going to continue emceeing the show.
After the crowd booed Conrad Crystal, and Christine was asked to return to the stage, the show continued with Vegas, Macka Diamond, Black-Er and Kiprich. Earlier Apache Chief and Sammy Question and a host of other performers did well to win over the patrons' undivided attention.
