This video is from today’s Youth Experience show. It is of a young man doing the newest dancehall move called the “wounded dog.” The crowd went wild. But here’s more about this Labour Day exposition in Hampstead Park.

Today Youth Opportunities Unlimited hosted an event in this inner-city community that is healing after a few rough years of high crime rates. It was wonderful. It seemed most of the community emerged from their homes for the day, despite a heavy rainfall in the early afternoon. There were musical, drama and poetry performances all from a talented group of youth who are dedicated to being positive role models in the community. There was also all sorts of food: jerk chicken, curry chicken, brown stew chicken, vegetables and rice and peas. While there were many highlights, it seemed everybody loved a surprise appearance from Specialist, a young dancehall artist who is coming up after coming in second on a reality-TV contest. He arrived as dusk fell, in white sunglasses and Adidas shoes, skinny jeans and a huge entourage. They handed out posters and CDs and then Specialist put on an energetic show. He was followed by another artiste called Nature. And then the show was over. But not really. Jamaicans really know how to throw a party. Everybody was in a good mood and as the crowd dispersed, some kids started doing some dancehall moves, almost perfectly in synch. 

A lone police officer stopped in for a few minutes, apparently decided he was not needed, and left after chatting with a few people. In addition to all the performances, there were informational booths with representatives from the Ministry of Health and the Consumer Protection Agency. Somehow, I ended up with a little girl’s toothbrush, which were handed out free from the Ministry of Health. By all accounts, the community enjoyed themselves immensely and it well on its way to better days. I would vouch for that- I saw only smiles today and no conflicts- okay, maybe some skirmishes between some of the little kids, but that’s it. I was talking to someone familiar with the work YOU is doing in this community, and apparently, the organization has made some major inroads and encouraged positive change in Hampstead Park. Where they are also skilled at Wounded Dog.