Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer
Patrons party at 'Luau, Hawaiian Dreams', at the Reggae Beach, Ocho Rios, last weekend. - PHOTO BY TESI JOHNSON
SCORES OF nubile young ladies, some clad in nothing more than a bikini and a garland of flowers around their neck, characterised the Hawaiian dream fulfilled, at Luau 2006.
On Sunday, April 16, the yuppies flocked to Reggae Beach in Ocho Rios for Luau - the Hawaiian Dreams Edition - a beach party staged by Absolute Entertainment in collaboration with Wright Image Entertainment.
In the mid-afternoon the ambience was relaxed, as the sizeable but intimate crowd enjoyed selections like Lenny Kravitz's American Woman, always with a drink in hand. The numerous bars around the venue made it easy for the cups to stay filled, while patrons enjoyed the music and lounged in a swing or hammock on the beach.
VIBE PICKED UP
The vibe started to pick up as Black Chiney brought a wave of nostalgia for the seasoned partygoers. Then it was still more of a social scene, but as the evening wound down, and the drinks settled in, waistlines grew more limber and the crowd's energy was magnified.
The 'Dutty Wine Remix', a combination of Tony Matterhorn's Dutty Wine and Hips Don't Lie by Colombian singer Shakira, was a clear favourite. Renaissance Disco played it several times and the ladies spun and gyrated much to the delight of the men.
Some soca music was thrown into the mix, and the crowd revelled to songs like Roll it Gal by Alison Hinds, and Machel Montano's We Not Giving Up. Renaissance Disco's dub 'Mus get a girl down at Luau', a sample of T-Pain's I'm In Love (Wit a Stripper), drew many 'forwards' from the men in the crowd, who felt they could relate to the lyrics.
By dawn the crowd had grown considerably; nonetheless, the venue was large enough to comfortably accommodate everyone. And where some still wanted more space to themselves, or just wanted to cool down, they took to the sea to dance - after all, it was a beach party. The bonfire that lit up one side of the beach added to the festive air of the party and supported its theme.
Luau 2006 was the launch party for Absolute Temptation Isle (ATI) 2006, to be held in Negril from July 28 to August 1.
