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State of emergency is a state of desperation, it wakes up the craving to get loose and let go. For those out there who are not familiar with the situation in Trinidad and Tobago these days …The government imposed so called ‘state of emergency’ which includes curfew enforcement that lasts from 9 pm to 5 am each night. So now imagine what happens when people have been locked down each night for the past 9 days. Everyone who likes to express themselves through social scene and dance had so much energy build up just waiting to be released that even the army road block on the way to Blanchisseuse beach wouldn't stop them. Ironically, it was an Independence Day.

At 7 am TJJ was heading down to ‘In -De - Paint – Dance’ Independence Day Beach J’ouvert party to swim in paint and dance in the hot sun. We reached Maracas beach and got stopped by the army…and it wasn’t the Caesar Army (promoter’s crew)  but the real army with guns and uniforms, nobody could cross it …

At this point also the shuttles arrived, full of patrons of Caesar Army ready to party but since there was no way to get to the venue, Maracas car park became the temporary location. The music was blasting from the shuttles and everyone in good morning spirit refused to go home even if the road block lasted all day. State of desperation does it to the people, we all just become more creative in the ways we party.

Since patience pays off, at 11 am everyone ran full of enthusiasm back to shuttles and cars as the army moved away. By then the party spirits were so high up in the sky… there was nothing that could stop this event from happening. And still we had to wait…at the car park for the shuttles to pick us up…I guess in regular circumstances this would be irritating but this time it only added fuel to the fire. 'Gyal wuk'  Machel Montano's song was blasting in my ears in the maxi as we reached Damien's bay. 

The set up of the venue was very simple, a piece of the beach fenced off to create private space where no one else but event participants could see what is happening… and then kids’ swimming pools, umbrellas, bar, stage and bathrooms. Nothing else needed except for extreme amounts of paint in all different colors…and the attitude - release the little child in you and get mad! It was like an small abandoned island taken over by a bunch of people swimming in paint and getting loose….Good state of emergency therapy :)

Here is the question that I can't resist but ask …

'How come did I manage to stay completely clean for more then an hour while everyone was soaked in paint?' …

Except for long lines to the bar, and even longer line to doubles stand it all went well. Especially when Iwa George showed up and sung his hit song ' Come to meh'  while the fence opened up and he led everyone to the beach to take a swim. Perfect idea to wash off the extreme amounts of paint  before heading back to civilization. 

Even though it was quite of a small event, you can’t go wrong with the combination of great djs, great music, sand, palm trees, paint and alcohol ….just selling the vibe was enough. After all, everyone released the build up of the energy and surely didn’t mind to stay home after 9 pm that day…cause Life is a Beach. Just add paint…
 
Ania reporting for TJJ Fam

>> View In De Paint Dance 'Independence Day Beach J'Ouvert Party' Gallery