Photos by Lia Haile
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Our first stop on the South Florida Carnival 2006 train was at the Bongo's at the American Airlines Arena (AAA) for Girl Power MIA 2006, or as we like to call it, "Nuff Gyal"!!!! This fete is always ah must reach for TJJ on the Thursday night of Carnival weekend. The night got off to a late start, and with crew in from up north, two more stops in Davie and Dania Beach just set the schedule back even more. With high hopes to arrive at midnight, we were finally on the way around 11:50 PM. Then factoring getting lost right in front the AAA looking for parking, and trying to determine which streets you could actually drive on, with all the construction going on, well now we in ah mess, yes. Finally the police grew tired of watching us make circles at the intersection, or just got tired laughing at us, shone the spot light in our eyes and said "Drive that way", we took that way to mean we could cut across on coming traffic and enter the parking garage. ;-)

With thousands of people attending this event one would expect massive lines, but that was not the case. Up the stairs, through security, to the Will Call window to pick up our passes (good looking out Dave), and nice we inside. Very smooth. Things were done in swing, and we could see the large crowd developed in front the stage area, as well as, the 3 bars. So of course our first stop is the bar!! Kudos for the number and location of bars, and also staffing them with folks that know how to mix ah drink quickly. So after you purchase your chits, it didn't take too long to get your drink. The ultimately meant being able to spend your time actually liming and feteing!!! Now if yuh buying premium liquor on this night yuh paying premium prices, but at least this one bartender was not stingy on the Grey Goose (no we not telling ya which one)!!

Girl Power boasted an all female line up of performers, and if memory serves correctly they delivered on all advertised acts... Alison, Gailann, Michelle Sylvester, Nadia Batson, Destra and Faye-Ann to name ah few. We still trying to figure out how Iwer George is de only male artist on de flyer?? Hehe. Things kicked off with Alison Hinds & her band taking the stage before 1:30 AM, so now yuh in for a full night of performances. Bear in mind, Girl Power is a like a concert; yuh does come here to see your favorite female soca artists perform. If you are more inclined to the traditional, fete style atmosphere with DJs keeping the crowd moving with tunes and all inclusive bars keeping the sprits high with spirits, this may not be your cup of tea.

Before we sign off this report, we must point out a few notable items from the night, Faye-Ann Lyons body, must get ah mention. The loads of ladies filling out their outfits on the night (short skirts and shorts pants was the order of the night) must get ah mention. The celebs hanging around back stage must get ah mention... Bunji, Kevin Lyttle, Iwer, Maximus Dan and Empress Taneka just to drop some names. The large Ruff Ryders crew that roll in the dance with Bunji and Faye-Ann, with t-shirts reading "Ruff Ryders Caribbean Cartel", must get ah mention. And, the man selling corn soup in the parking garage of the AAA must get ah mention.

Time for some sleep so we can hit it hard again come Friday night.

Spudz McKenzie