Anytime there's a function dedicated entirely to the ladies, you can be certain women from all backgrounds and ages will attend. Such was the case last Friday as promoter Big Country and Whut Entertainment played host to the first annual "Ladies Lock-up" held at Torii Station's Coral Cove. The most talked about event these last few weeks didn't disappoint. Opening the doors promptly at 8 p.m. and filling every seat immediately, it was apparent from the start that those fortunate enough to secure standing space would posses eminence over the jam-packed crowd of females. Emulating the famous "Chippendale Dancers," the male waiters, topless and dressed in black trousers and a bow tie, served drinks to the all-female audience. "If your body comes with the drink, I'll take two" quipped a female, referring to the waiter serving the drinks. Needless to say the topless waiters caused mass hysteria inciting a pectoral and biceps grabbing frenzy. At about 9:20 p.m. and after a brief introduction by Franchon, Whut's manager, the show began with a grand entrance by Big Country reciting a poem over the roaring crowd. JC Productions, a singing group followed and serenaded the ladies with a convincing rendition of R&B singer R. Kelly's "2nd Kelly." Rounding out the show was an aspiring rap singer and a team of step dancers, all building momentum for the show's encore performance. Finally at 10 p.m., the moment of truth, the event most of the ladies had come to see - the X-Men, a dance ensemble consisting of six completely different dance styles, with each dancer portraying a different character and wearing the appropriate costume. Included in the ensemble was a fireman, businessman and cowboy among others, all seductively wooing audience members and providing a one-on-one lesson to willing participants on the finer points of dance. Throughout the X-Men performance, women clapped, danced and even stood on top of tables in an attempt to get a better view. Some took photographs even though cameras were strictly forbidden. But without question the highlight of the evening were the calls for promoter Big Country to show his dancing skills. Answering the audience demand with what can only be described as Big Country doing the "Big Country." After two hours of entertainment including singers, rappers, steppers and dancers, the men were allowed entrance and the party officially ensued. DJ Hi 5ive and associates then provided an intoxicating mix of thump-shaking music that kept the dance floor packed until closing. At 2:30 a.m. the evening's last song "Computer Love" was dedicated to its writer, the recently slain R&B musician Roger Troutman. Overall the ladies lock-up provided a much-needed safe haven for the hundreds of women who felt trapped, neglected and sometimes ignored. Since attending the lock-up, many women have expressed a rejuvenated self-worth as if the ladies lock-up somehow paroled them.
