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Stage 3 – The Renaissance

Ren·ais·sance /?r?n ?'s?ns, -'z?ns, -'s?~s, 'r?n ??s?ns, -?z?ns, -?s?~s; especially Brit. r?'ne? s?ns/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ren-uh-sahns, -zahns, -sahns, ren-uh-sahns, -zahns, -sahns; especially Brit. ri-ney-suh ns] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. (sometimes lowercase) any similar revival in the world of art and learning.
2. (lowercase) a renewal of life, vigor, interest, etc.; rebirth; revival: a Stage 3 renaissance.

It's been a while since we have had a Stages here in South FL, so it was quite right to call it a Renaissance. There was a quite a buzz and build up to his party for weeks.... better yet, months before the Thanksgiving weekend, long before Miami Carnival'07 you could see the Stage 3 logo and flyer on websites; you could see Gary, Jamie and the gang in their Stage 3 T-shirts everywhere. And you know where there is a buzz there is hype, and you gotta live up to the hype.... so we were eager to see what Absolute had in store for the return of Stage 3 "Havana Nights". Being as we had never been to Virginia Key Beach before and anticipating a traffic jam, we did not want to spend quality party time sitting in the car waiting to park, so half of Team TJJ headed down to the venue early and by early we mean 10 o'clock....... braps we in the parking lot, close to the front, ready to get down! The only problem was the other half of the team was the half that had the tickets and they ent reach so early.... chueps! So we sat down and cool weself outside taking in the scene. The poor valets move their station 3 times, each time they realize that folks just turning down a aisle before them and parking for free.... rell kicks, yes! The music was already on at this time so we were entertained by some early selections, while gaping at the eye candy that also arrived early.

Since Absolute blessed us with VIP tickets (good looking out guys), we made our way round the side to the special entrance, following the pathway which lead directly to the VIP bar, yuh cyah miss it!! So we line up like the rest of the nice folks in VIP and order some drinks, just beyond this tent was the food buffet. Jerk Chicken (boneless), Lobster, Pork, Shrimp Scampi, Rice and some other menu items that we didn't get a chance to eat. Yam yam... FOOD WENT DOWN NICE and it looked like the food kept coming all night, because every time we looked, folks were serving up a plate. Back to the bar which was a bit more crowded now, for drink #2, and why not??!!

So now it's time to look around for all those lovelies we saw enter while waiting outside. Is then we noticed that there were many lovelies in the dance, and not just in VIP, people rell dan it up for Stages. The venue was made for an event like this... the grassy area just beyond the parking lot, a bar setup in the concession stand, VIP created with tents and barricades, and the ocean just beyond the party behind the DJs. There even was a concrete area in the middle of the party with lights where all the action was taking place. Standby for the secret undercover TJJ TV coverage coming soon.

So the party going real nice.... drinks flowing, partygoers looking sweet, dancers dancing and then low and behold Babylon must kill the vibes. Next thing there is an announcement that the party must end early.... WHAT?? A look a the cell phone shows that it's only 2:45AM.... prime time for a party. Being as we were on the stage, next to the DJ at this time, we were well placed to see the two cross looking police officers standing behind to make sure the music was switched off. They were not the only cross people on that night. Those who had just arrived, those who had not gotten in, but none more so than the guys of Absolute Adventure themselves.

It has come to our attention that forces were afoot even before the night of the party, to bring this event to a premature end. Click Here to read the e-mail that was sent regarding Stage3 and another event. There is not much one can do when City officials are biased against your event from the moment it comes to their attention, after all these years and so many events, first it was Broward Carnival, now this. We won't get up on the soap box, wrong is wrong and this isn't right. Just think that Virginia Key Beach was the first beach to allow blacks to use it, and this was only in 1945!! Check Wikipedia!

Party McFly