As the 35th yearly Caribbean Carnival spilled onto Blue Hill Avenue Saturday night, flocks of dancers, families and skaters ground their way into the Chez Vous Rollerway in Mattapan.
According to Chez Vous owner Greer Toney, it was just another weekend party at the rink, with a few exceptions: Harlem rapper Blue Chip was motion-picture photography a television for his single �King of Hip-Hop,� and nonviolence activists dubbed the event �Peace Night.�
�It�s always peace night at Chez Vous,� said Toney, who has operated the rink since the mid-�90s with a strict zero tolerance policy for violence. �There�s been a lot of promotion for this though because it�s also a fund-raiser.�
Faced with having to install a $170,000 sprinkler system by Nov. 13, and having to raise $29,000 by Sept. 1 to start construction, Chez Vous is in a tight corner. That message got to Peace Night promoter Keri Singleton, a Boston native who threw shows at the rollerway before moving to work in the New York music industry 15 years ago.
�Keri perpetually was a very active person,� Toney aforementioned about her old acquaintance. �He heard about the plight of Chez Vous, and he just wanted to do something to help out.�
Though Singleton got stuck in New York on occupation, he dispatched his recording artist Blue Chip to bring positive vibes.
�Since I do curious rap, this kind of event workings for me,� said Blue Chip, whose tracks often bemock negative rappers. �The kids aren�t exit to date me doing something positive here and then go to my MySpace [web site] and take heed me talk about guns and drugs.�
As the night ensued the rink filled with both skaters and dancers - all of whom were invited to participate in Blue Chip�s video. Boston�s EnMotion Dancers for Peace even kicked a choreographed number - a near-remarkable feat considering how the troupe had three other performances Saturday including unmatchable afterward in Roxbury.
Pointing to a group of excited teenagers coming though the door, Toney stressed how important it is to keep Chez Vous undefendable not just as a venue, just as a community safe haven.
�Everyone knows that in this quickness there are no hassles,� she said. �Our concern is what happens once kids leave here.�
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