The Dragon bites again!

by Wendella Davidson
Guyana Chronicle
November 9, 1999


EVERYONE knew where and who the Dragon bit when it swept through Guyana again over the weekend.

There was no escaping the fever for those who were around as Soca legend Byron Lee and his Dragonaries worked their spell yet again for locals.

Thousands thronged Thirst Park in Georgetown Saturday night for the major performance following the opening show Friday night at Le Meridien, Pegasus Hotel, also in the city.

The final show by the top Caribbean band was billed last night at the Canje Ground, Berbice.

Although the group, which did not perform here last year, had no new songs and dances this time around, fans thoroughly enjoyed learning the art of how to `Catch the cat' and `Attack it from the front' and `Attack it from the back'.

Notably absent from the menu of soca and other tunes dished out Saturday night was `Moving to the left, moving to the right', understandably because there was definitely no space to facilitate such manoeuvres.

From as early as 20:00 hrs, fans in a wide range of party outfits began their trek to Thirst Park.

By 21:00 hrs, there was barely `room in the inn', yet the crowds continued to trickle in, among them President Bharrat Jagdeo who was accompanied by Ministerial Advisor on Empowerment, Mr. Odinga Lumumba.

First on stage was the local Mingles Sound Machine with vocalist Compton `Coolie' Hodges, who tried his best to prepare the pitch for his overseas counterparts Leon Coldero; Oscar B; Cedric Poitier and Lima Calbio.

And though the music was spicy enough to entice people on to the huge makeshift dance floor, `Coolie' Hodges could only muster a few.

It was quite clear that the majority, obvious of the pace from Leon and Oscar B, were conserving their energies for that moment.

It came at about 22:30 hrs when Byron Lee and his band were introduced.

It was as if an earth tremor had struck Thirst Park.

Seats which were jealously guarded earlier, were vacated as the crowd surged forward, persons seeking to be up front.

In response to a `Guyana Massive' call by Oscar B who was heard but not seen, Thirst Park was immediately ignited and transformed into a sea of waving yellow bandannas, compliments of Western Union.

The money transfer agency also distributed free whistles which helped to liven up the occasion.

And, when Oscar, Leon, Cedric and Lima emerged on stage, the crowd went wild with excitement - jumping, screaming and waving all the while.

It was madness from then on as the quartet dished out tune after tune, among them popular ones like `Ring Ding Ding'; `Over Hills and Valley'; `Tiney Winey'; `Water Running' and `This is how I does wine'.

All this with the trademark flexible waistlines of, in particular, Leon and Oscar B.

One touching moment was when the audience was asked to observe a minute's silence in memory of the late Guyanese DJ and radio announcer, Pancho Carew and joined in singing `Stealing Love on the Side' and the popular Bob Marley's `One Love'.

Byron Lee, who monitored the controls, received a frenzied welcome when he made a brief appearance on stage.

By the time the band returned to the stage for the final session at around 02:00 hrs, some who obviously had enough, began making their exit.

And as they did through the gates, some were still gyrating and telling of what a splendid time they had.

One disappointment though was the inadequacy of drink bars, which caused patrons to spend an inordinate length of time whenever they went to make a purchase.

There were three such facilities and the limited number of personnel who operated them was definitely inadequate for such a mammoth crowd.


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Guyana: Land of Six Peoples