“Panik” Gets off to a shaky start
Teino Evans
(Aug-27-2003)

It was a panicky moment for some patrons who turned out at the Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA), Old Hope Road location on Saturday, August 23, as what we saw at some minutes after midnight, was nothing close to what patrons were expecting.

As patrons lurked at the gate on the outside, it was quite obvious that no one was willing to make the first move and pay the $800 at the gate to attend a scanty party. Anyhow, thank God for those persons who came with pre-sold tickets, as they had nothing to lose, cause dem money did done spen already!

Upon entering the yard of the CBA, I almost had a heart attack, as I counted no more than ten persons loafing around, sipping on some free Smirnoff ice issued in plastic cups; and yes, it was free ice all night! However, to my relief, the party was not actually in the open yard, but patrons were directed through another set of doors which led them to the interior of the CBA.

On the inside, the vibes was much better, except for the boring ambience that greeted patrons. It was like a high school auditorium with the selector’s turntables set up towards the front on the stage. Patrons in these still-early-hours, preferred to line the outskirts of the auditorium, as only one or two ‘nuffas’ dared to venture into the great open space in the centre of the auditorium. 

As the night, or should I say early morning progressed, however, patrons started to fill the gaps in the middle of the dance floor, and with a dangerous mix of free Smirnoff ice all night long, and some great dancehall music and hip hop favourites being spun by selectors from Code Red, Epidemik and Left Side and Esco, there would soon be no room to even budge on the dancefloor.

Selectors made no qualms in taking advantage of these patrons, who of the majority were still in high school, as they broke loose on the dancefloor, feeling the vibes of the music and the effects of free ice.

To the sound of the phrase, “yep, good to go” by Elephant Man over the speakers, patrons immediately knew that it was time to get into full dance mode. Dances like pan di river pan di bank, signal the plane, chop di grass, gi dem a run amongst others, were displayed with much fun and excitement.

But the truth be told, depending on the type of songs that are played by the selectors, patrons will determine what ‘season’ it is. Let me explain. When tunes like Elephant Man’s “Pan di river” a play, patrons will split from their partners and go solo on the dance floor. However, when tune like Sizzla’s “Pump up ar…”, den yuh know seh every man a guh get behind a girl, and every girl a guh fling it up pan dem man!

Well, indeed, there some panicky moments inside of “Panik”, as there were some outrageous dancing and whining, thus revealing things not meant to be revealed in such public settings, and the open ‘French kissing’ between some teenage couples on the dark staircase leading to the stage. Mi only hope seh dem did at least know dem one another before dem did come there that night, because if not? Levity!

At about 3am when I decided to exit stage left, the party vibes was still in full swing and kicking!