Musical braai fun in Paradise

John Wiehahn
PARADISE Beach Neighbourhood Watch hosted a Valentine "Bring ‘n Braai” musical function at the Paradise Beach Ski-Boat clubhouse on Saturday.
Forecasts of gale-force 60km/h winds notwithstanding, the event was a huge success. Dire predictions of inclement weather provoking a mass stay-away, and of "impossible” braai conditions did not materialise.
Granted, the assigned "fire marshals”, Jannie Kruger and Tom Jacobs really had their hands full, controlling flames, while coaxing and maintaining sufficient heat at a number of braais simultaneously. This in the face of strong gusting winds, while affording assistance to all needing to braai.
Compensating for the strong winds did, however, require last minute changes. Also a number of cellphone apologies were received for nonattendance – all blaming the wind. Ironically, this proved to be a blessing in disguise, ensuring a manageable crowd of revelers.
The large umbrellas also could not be unfurled, and the band, initially to play in the open air, had to be rehoused inside the clubhouse. While many of the arriving guests milled around for quite some time, renewing acquaintances before settling down, the musicians were setting up and tuning their instruments.
The wide array of diversity among the guests ranged from the very conservative dowager to caftan clad hippies sporting nose rings and body piercings. Finally the band found its mojo, and the first 70-plus visitors shifted their attention from the feeding to the music. That is when the fun really began.
The much-touted local rock'n roll group, Rift, later joined by two new singers, provided nearly five hours of almost nonstop music. Eventually the crowd grew to more than 100, many joining the dancing. At one stage the beat proved irresistible to more than 30 women, who simultaneously invaded the dance floor, spilling over to the outside, much bigger braai area. The community support and overwhelming success of this function encourages the Neighbourhood Watch to host a similar event very soon.