The Oasis Lounge UP AND AWAY!
It is with mixed emotions that we bring one chapter to a close - The Oasis Lounge located at --- ------- ------ ---- will not exist after January 10th, 2011.
Without saying...we are ecstatic at the experiences earned, the friendships gained and the memories made in our blue and brown space filled with trees, we dubbed THE OASIS. Intended to be a refreshing space in the middle of a scary and homophobic Jamaica, the Oasis Lounge became a refuge and home for many who needed a place to belong and be themselves. It was our honour to provide same for an incident free and fun-filled jam-packed year.
We want to thank all the people who were part of the OASIS experience and invite you to share in our final week Wednesday January 4th to Sunday January 8th as follows:
Wednesday Jan. 4th - OPEN SOUL - THE MEMORIES - Adm: $500
Come share your Oasis memories and experiences, and see performances from your favourite LGBT talents, expect poetry, songs and a whole lot of laughter...prepare for a few tears.
Thursday, Januay 5th - LEVEL UP CAMPAIGN PREMIER - Adm: $500
The LEVEL UP Philosophy is that inspite of where we are...we should always aim to move one up in everything that we do and that growth is measured by these levels.
The LEVEL UP Campaign is a series of videos developed by The Couture Elements team which includes our outreach arm The Underlined Response addressing issues faced by LGBT people, providing hope and encouragement.
Friday, January 6th - TGIF Rewind - Adm: Free
Come party with us for the final TGIF.
Saturday, January 7th - The Underlined Response Games Night - Adm: $500
This is going to be hilarious. Come play Oasis 'Have you ever' and many more games jam packed with fun and laughter.
Sunday, January 8th - Oasis Anniversary Dinner - Adm: $1500 (limited tickets available)
Join us for a lovely meal and performances, as we wrap it all up in one evening of excellence.
The OASIS is in no way over...enquire about PLATINUM MEMBERSHIP as we take this initiative to newer heights, enjoy a more intimate and definitely MEMBERS ONLY setting, exclusive membership discounts at participating entities, local and regional tours, parties and excursions...more private and even more exclusive.
Contact Information was provided (but hidden for this post)
ALWAYS A 'LEVEL UP'
ENDS
The announcement has been greeted with some sadness but part of the reality is that business is slow generally speaking in terms of income given the economic climate,
2) entertainment cuts in personal budgets,
3) lack of spending power of some members,
4) the slow repeat business my members,
5) a decrease in registered members (even when dropped to $1000/month)
There have been some ideological differences with other leading influentials with some drifting or slowed support towards the lounge. A particular incident with another party promoter over an advocacy issue also was a cause for concern earlier this year as well. My visits to the spot certainly have since slowed as some disparaging remarks to my mind made by one of the founding and managing members in earshot of me about the behaviour of some of the CE REGISTERED PAID membership has not gone down well with myself and a few others when the supposed offending members who were the target of such comments unbeknownst or known to them (while they were enjoying dancehall music which was not normally played by any DJ for extended periods) were not approached directly at the time instead of a sidebar another controversial lesbian who has serious issues with effeminate men and quite openly expressed same on repeated occasions in the space without any serious reprimand by one or both of the management team members. She has openly referred to other male members as battyman and in this case in very condescending tones which calls into question management and public relations issues. It is sad that whenever we have a good idea and or venture running it tends to get polluted with all kinds of drama and politics, the very politics, classism and in this case caustic effemophobia we were hoping to escape from to create new and tolerant spaces have reared their heads. To think that the Friday night in question when said remarks were passed by the influential we had just ended a recording session about safe spaces and tolerance with varying identities socializing in this tense Jamaican atmosphere with a particular International rights based group. Clearly we as a community have a long way to go in settling the differences of opinions and REAL tolerance of differing identities and need to seriously revisit this sometimes vexed issue of expression by different sexualities..in the context of the energetic dancehall music vibe that conjures excitement and a certain aura in any space.
Certainly there will be memorable moments and the cathartic Wednesday night discussions I thoroughly enjoyed will be missed (also the white wine), the new faces and friendships forged, the Nauti Glam event which was held earlier this year will also be remembered as one of the best boat ride events in recorded LGBT history. Sad that the major alternative to the mainstream politically messy advocacy structure has to go so soon on its one year anniversary and private at that which suggests to me a seeming non interest in engaging some other populations who may not have the financial where-it-all to patronise such a bar and lounge. I would think or hope that the Underlined Response will address those populations and associated issues.
All the best to the team .............. I was happy to have seen it from the conception to birthing up to now however.
Peace and tolerance
H
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