One of dem

This past year I went to my first ever concert, a Lil’ Wayne show at the ACC. I had never been to a concert before because I have just never believed in actually paying for music. But I decided that while here, it is one of the best ways to engage the local culture. Music is a big part of my life, and I have been lucky enough to have been exposed to a wide variety of it through my equally enthused friends. It’s almost like a common currency which can be taken throughout the world in exchange for cultural acceptance and conversation. This has been a major way I’ve tried to meet new people here, and so far it seems to have worked.

I am able to fit in quite easily that way here because I know a decent amount of Caribbean music. I can willie bounce, I know to wear neck protection while dutty wining, and I run the other way when girls ask me if I want to visit their rompin shop. I even recognized a few of the names that were going to be performing in this largely soca driven music festival.

Word usually spreads fast among my co-workers, all of whom usually gather in an area outside of office to gossip and relax. The day before the music festival(last Thursday), a bunch of the little old ladies who work around the office had heard about my impending attendance at the concert, and were apparently very curious if I knew of this kind of music or if I could dance. As I walk out my door for lunch, one of them asks if I can “flex it?”, I quickly crossed my arms and looked directly into her eyes and told her “I always wine up”, and then proceeded to do a little dutty wine. This brought on a hail of giggles from the two, either completely surprised that I knew what they were talking about or by the fact that I thought I could dance. It had thoroughly prepared me for the night ahead.

I am picked up by my boss’ two daughters, and we drive over to the stadium. When we arrive it is completely packed with people, and the outside is lined with beer and food tents. On stage are local bands performing and people going wild. It is an amazing atmosphere to be apart of, and I quickly move into the crowd. Many people who have met me, know of the few patented dance moves that I have developed and made famous. One which I have made quite popular is the lean wit it rock wit it dance, and the other is the willie bounce. I felt confident in busting these out amidst the crowd, but was soon faced with strange looks and people quickly moving away from me. I seem to forget that any dance moves which make their into a white boy from Canada’s repertoire, are probably already outdated here. I take my cues and stop immediately. The night ends at about 4 am, and I am at work the next day by 9 am. I felt like an old man, and took the rest of the weekend to recover from the lack of sleep.

UPDATE:
I uploaded the video of my interview with the local television station. If anyone needs to laugh at somebody, it's located in the post below.