These revellers display their party favours of straw hats and leis last Saturday during Bacchanal Jamaica's 'Beach J'ouvert' at James Bond Beach, Oracabessa, St. Mary. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer BACCHANAL JAMAICA was at it again, providing the perfect party atmosphere for the real party-goer. This time it was in the form of 'Beach J'ouvert' at the James Bond Beach in Oracabessa, St. Mary.
The price tag, $2,000 at the gate, $1,500 pre-sold, included party favours - all the liquor and Tru-juice one's stomach could hold and paint for added fun. To top it off, there were performances from Imij and Company and Trinidad's outside son, Rupee.
On entering the venue, patrons were invited to stop at a table to collect their various party favours.
Immediately behind that booth was the Neutrogena tent where partiers could pick up samples of Neutrogena Sun Block lotion and get rubdowns. Ladies were given the 'rub' by hard-bodied Champs male models clad in blue Neutrogena tights which left nothing to the imagination. Men received their massages from females, who, much to their disappointment, were far more covered than their male counterparts.
Over by the Digicel booth, persons could pick up as many red and green beads and rags as they desired. The early set were also treated to Nokia mugs.
While some persons walked through the venue, sipping liquor, others played football, and another set made their way to the water. Music was provided non-stop by Sparkles disco.
At about 5:00 p.m., Trinidad and Tobago-based disc jockey Switch took over the turntables and started pumping some new and old soca favourites. Songs like Iwer George's Home and Destra's Whe Yuh Want held pride of place alongside Square One's Togetherness.
By 5:30 p.m., an announcement was made: "Beach J'ouvert massive, di paint is out. Check behind the balloons. If yuh want paint guh behind the Gatorade balloon." With that, the madness began.
COLOUR MADNESS
Screams and lots scampering was seen as persons tried to avoid being painted, but it was all in vain. An hour later, everyone had at least one colour on them. Then there were those who appeared to have bathed in paint and were covered in the substance from head to toe.
An hour later, and Imij and Company, formerly known as Second Imij, took to the stage. With the cry of 'Slew dem' from one of the lead singers, the Trinidadian band went through an hour-long set, which included songs like Push Back, Faluma, Swingin' Engine, Snake Winer, Home and Ride di Chu Chu. They even touched a little of Elephant Man's Pon di River, Pon di Bank and did the dance to match.
However, the audience members stole the show when the group decided to perform Flo P's Nasty. After asking for some couples to come on-stage to show how 'Nasty' they could get, three men and a set of triplets answered the call. After each performed their own bit of 'nastiness' individually, the audience went wild when the couples performed together.
Imij and Company exited the stage at 7:30 p.m. and Sparkles took over, kicking off another set of non-stop music.
An hour later, Imij and Company were back for their new set. However, everybody was getting anxious, the crowd wanted to see Rupee. At 9:00 p.m., their wish came true as the singer took the stage.
He started off with Jump Around, then Insomnia before starting his hit song Tempted to Touch. Before he got into it at full throttle, however, he asked for a female audience member to come on-stage. A young woman named Kai holding a Trinidad and Tobago flag gladly obliged. He proceeded to serenade and 'wine' on the young woman.
Shortly after 9:30 p.m., Rupee left the stage and Imij and Company continued their performance.
