Gerard Hanson  | Biography  | Info  

                   

The Dance •   'The Dance'

The main focus is the dance in the evening; people preparing, arriving and enjoying the event, which occurs on most street corners across Jamaica over the weekend period.

Early doors the road appears deserted, yet preparations are being made. The natural beauty of the landscape creates the backdrop to an eagerly awaited session. It's a chance to make some dollars, people from far and wide will congregate as the evening draws in. The soup pot is put on first, speakers are in place and the electric is hooked up to the main. As people arrive a variety of vehicles are evident, the cattle truck, the minibus and the ever present Lada's and deportee's.

Dark falls quickly and the scene changes dramatically, one street light Illuminates the corner, a shop light creates dramatic shadows across the road, headlights from passing cars sweep past the speakers and the initial arrivals lurking in the shadows are exposed temporarily. Some early juggling brings the sounds of Gregory Isaccs, evening brings cool air and mist, bass lines increase, and the dance is now in full swing. The DJ and selector work the crowd with a frenzy of rhythms, dubs and specials until the morning, finally the dance is done and the toads can be heard once again as sunrise approaches.

Gerard Hanson
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