Couture Elements to offer platinum membership .... open operations wind down in January 2012

So as news spreads in the community that the parent entity of the Underlined Response the two woman run Couture Elements bar and lounge is closing it's open door policy and operations in January of next year and is offering private membership. In a Facebook entry earlier this week it was stated by the team (edited): ..

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

LGBT History Month: The Loft's First Anniversary ............

As the month draws to a close for 2011 here is a brief look at the first anniversary celebrations recently at the centrally located LGBT club in the heart of Kingston's business and lifestyle metro-pole. The Loft which was founded by a two man team who are also life partners finally came into being on October 30, 2010 officially with its kick off party in the halloween period creating a seismic shift for gay entertainment in Kingston and Jamaica, they have been blamed unfortunately for the fast decline of interest in the long running life of Club Heavens which lasted for some 7 years whilst changing management and was located in North Central Jamaica whose only other competition apart the occasional party block buster in Kingston was the now defunct Calabash Club in Montego Bay which folded after an awful police invasion occurred due to rivalry from other party promoters at the time. Despite the challenges of patron behavioural problems, settling with the neighbouring business owners, the police situations at the commencement of its life, a seemingly opposing vibrant spirit filled church congregation located on the ground floor, the battyman entitlement phenomenon and the concern in the minds of many though not expressed too loudly in its location in the centre of that side of town they, the Loft's team have survived whilst making the name a household brand in the community offering varying products. They have some competition however from up and coming astute party promoters with growing fan bases but as the LGBT community itself expands there is room for more than one major player. Let us also not forget the launch of the Couture Elements bar open five days a week but with much smaller space. Other more serious challenges presented themselves earlier this year when a rival party promoter said to be linked to aforementioned police raid who resorted to unethical and deviant tactics to include informing the tabloid enemy of the gay community, The Star News of the where abouts of the spot and supposed activities which almost put the club out of business. The management team however quickly sprung in action with damage control to the community via a press release while maintaining its offerings after a brief closure. Also of note was or is some of the outreach work done to the homeless community to include some feeding programs and the recent interventions as influentials at the homeless msm civil disobedience action at a particular non governmental organization. several former and presently displaced and homeless were in attendance at the recent party but noticeably missing were Jamaica Forum for Lesbians Allsexuals and Gays, JFLAG representatives and other advocacy personalities which was not surprising

flyer for the first event

They at the time issued a resolute press statement which was published on this blog in April of this year:

Sankofa Management: The Loft Remains Open despite Star News trope ......

In part they said:

We, the management of Jamaica’s premier LGBT entertainment space wish to thank our loyal patrons for their continued support of our brave business venture. Despite the many challenges we have faced in bringing this dream to fruition we remain determined never to allow the light of this community to go dim.
The movement that inspired the creation of The Loft is bigger than any one of us. It is bigger than any selfish motivation, envy, or iniquity. This is a powerful movement that cannot be hampered by evil deeds, careless tongues, or thoughtless actions. It is time that we as a community embrace the idea of togetherness and stop the petty in-fighting that is tearing us apart. We are not enemies, we are compatriots.

We share the same struggles with the wider society and we all have the same desire for happiness, love, and enjoyment in a safe environment. Since we cannot live this reality in the society we inhabit we must therefore do all we can to protect the few safe spaces that exist.
The Loft was created for all of us in the community and it is therefore our collective responsibility to protect it. We wish God’s richest blessings on the authors of the article that appeared in The Star of Monday April 4, 2011 under the headline “Cross-dressers clash at club”, and we hope that they will put their God-given talents as fictional writers to good use and not continue to let their imaginations run wild.

We are the ones that will decide if the Loft will close its doors, not anyone else.
We enjoy a positive relationship with the leadership of the St. Andrew Central Police Division as well as our neighbours in the business district in which we operate and will not allow the mischief of a few idle minds to sully our reputation, negatively affect our business, or most importantly disrupt the enjoyment of our valued supporters.

The Loft is part of a movement that cannot be stopped. Let us continue marching on until victory is won!

Sincerely,
BP & D
Management
The Loft

ENDS

Interview with Management of the Loft by shane-mccarthy of the Pink Report

My response then was:

The Star News story was inaccurate in a sense as I was present at the club named in the piece the police were called by the club owner/manager in question at around 4am to avert any negative violent action from rival queens who had previous altercations elsewhere NOT AT THE CLUB ON THE NIGHT OF April 2nd as hinted to. The event overall at the Loft went pretty well for the most part until the abrupt cut off to avoid the possible disturbance. The Loft and ALL OTHER PARTY PROMOTERS AND CLUB OWNERS have my full support but as the Loft remains resolute in serving their patrons/supporters this release is a professional way to deal with it, the police I have since gathered are also mindful of the issues involved however underhanded tactics to prove a point are TOTALLY UNNECESSARY LET US WORK TOGETHER FOLKS including Promoter X. Mek we talk dis out proper. 

this year's flyer

The celebrations briefly

October 28th 2011 was the date set for the last in the month long series of celebrations with respective themed events and rotating DJs to meet ever changing musical tastes, the admission free event which had a bumper crowd support. A team from the Red Cross were present carrying out some light HIV intervention work. DJ Dr. Buck had the crowd whipped in frenzy quite early as his trademark chants and hardcore selections usually do while wearing my DJ hat my first set of dance beats was welcomed as the kids served  after a smooth transition with the goodly doctor. It was clear that the evening was going to be a major success, hardly any space was left foe shaking a leg in the newly redecorated white walled dancefloor complete with strobe and lazer lights stoking the high energy. Denis(e) could be seen darting about the floor and frolicking with the children albeit on his golf club which has become his trademark item as he monitors his sometimes hurting right foot while BP manned the busy bar as it was shelled down to no inventory left for consumption. The queens served and gyrated with resorted to some head-top antics while others profiled with drinks in hand but clearly were enjoying the festivities with the occasional head bopping in approval to a tune selected. Not to be outdone were members of the thug community who seemed ofe in mixing with more effeminate patrons. Apart from beating the odds and becoming the sixth major gay club in recent known history they also stepped outside of their brand marketing and single handedly revived the Pride Event celebration during the Gaycipation period (Emancipation and Independence in August 1st and 6th) they successful launched an outdoor beach front event once carried by a previous advocate, promoter and brainchild Gareth Henry who had said events at a small beach front property in St. Ann. The event dubbed Sea Queens took off in fine fashion despite a mainstream event that also attracts LGBT persons was in session in another parish, persons took the trek to St. Mary on July 31, 2011 and had a "whale" of a time . Let us also not forget the infamous Santa's List event for the Christmas season which they have also developed under the brand. Sea Queens will certainly go up against Naughty Glam High Seas Couture as the best events for 2011 when that time comes for selection, I'll let you know which one is in my book then in the year in review. 


Please see:  The Loft/Sankofa's Sea Queens: Di Fish(es) DID swim .........

Happy first anniversary to the Loft's team and we hope they remain for a while longer although unconfirmed reports suggest there maybe a hiatus by the team as they collect their thoughts on new offerings. 


Peace and tolerance


H