CROWNING THE OFFICIAL CALGARY
EDMONTON DANCEHALL QUEEN 2010
By Lisa Connors

After a roots and culture filled day at the Seventh Annual Calgary Reggaefest, I made my way to one of the unofficial after parties. Tunda Clap and David Anthony Promotions presented “Crowning of the Calgary – Edmonton Dancehall Queen 2010”! I prepared myself to experience the opposite side of roots and culture! The evolution of Reggae includes the phenomenon called Dancehall, and is definitely the wild side of Reggae! Taking in this event would prove to be the epitome of a well rounded (Reggae) evening! Calgary’s new Reggae hot spot, the One Love Foundation Centre was a buzz with excitement in a ram packed house of Djs, dancers and dancehall fans! Anticipation filled the air as the massive waited to find out who would become the next Western Canada Dancehall Queen! Toronto’s Dj Blaxz Dun Di Place was on hand to throw down some choice tunes and had the vibes very high. Calgary’s own Original R n R displayed their versatility and ability to rock the crowd to the max!

The two sounds spun the best of dancehall while the dancers proudly showed off their skills on the dance floor. For all those who think that dancehall is all about slackness I would ask you to take a second look. All the ladies demonstrated a tremendous amount of strength, flexibility, creativity and stamina and straight up gymnastics! Round after round they competed for the coveted DHQ title and trophy. Contenders, Princess Ard Royalty, Alix Eastabrooks, and Jiggy Gyal all gave it their best shot and gave Simone Goodaz Reece a run for her money. In the end, the judges awarded Simone the 2010 DHQ title! Big up the promoters John “Tundaclap” Fortuna and David Anthony, contestants, judges, Djs and dancehall massive for making the DHQ event one of Calgary’s wildest Reggae evenings ever!