Event Review: Appleton May Daze ‘Movie Event of the Year’

Appleton May Daze got off to a start that seemed only like it was scripted for a movie. On Friday night (May 7^th) well over 1200 patrons flocked the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Hope Road to witness what has been well publicized as the ‘Movie Event of the year’.

When the gates opened at 9:30pm, eager patrons already stood waiting in lines to enter the venue. With their signature ladies charge free admission before 11pm it was no surprise that the ratio of men to women at minutes to 11pm was in the region of 5 to 1, not that the men were complaining of course. As was expected with the female patrons that support Appleton May Daze they all came out looking trendy, some putting their added twist to the night’s theme which was ‘Ghetto Fabulosity’.

This being the first year that the event series is being hosted outside of New Kingston was a cause of concern for some patrons, questioning whether it was a right choice in terms of venue selection amongst other things. The first night was proof enough that Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre was indeed one of the few venues that could facilitate the phenomenon that Appleton May Daze has become. The entry was seamless and extremely hassle free especially for the VIP Access Card holders. The spacious venue facilitated a more spacious bar experience and the two dance floors allowed every ‘star’ their 15 minutes of fame. Staying true to the movie theme the Good Company Promotional Team had flat screens erected in and around the venue and a 70” Inch screen showcasing popular scenes from the Friday movie series produced by rapper/actor – Ice Cube.

Another promise kept by the promoters was to offer the best in entertainment locally, patrons danced the night away to the musical selections of resident Dj - Zj Ice and co-star – Dj Shine along with the Zj Johnny Kool and Razz & Biggy. Each of which provided a set that was energetic and embodied what Appleton May Daze was all about – fun, frolic and fantasy. Of mention was the alternative set done by Razz & Biggy which found its way into the hearts and feet of the patrons.

The 2-4-1 Appleton Drink specials had the bartenders busy for the night and always had the patrons with a drink in hand. What was interesting was seeing them balancing the drinks with a bag of St. Mary’s Chips which were being giving away by the Jamaica Producers team. The May Daze Minute has now surpassed basketball games with having the longest minute ever. For those patrons that missed it they must be kicking themselves to have missed the promoters giving away FREE APPLETON. In almost the same fashion as the scene from Coyote Ugly the bartenders stood on the bar counters and served Appleton Rum to the patrons free for what can be considered the longest minute. This signature effort by the Good Company Team will be a feature for the rest of the series.

With all that, it is amazing that patrons can come to expect more from the event series but that was only the beginning there are still four more weeks left and the vibe will only intensify with coming weeks, more Appleton will be flowing especially with the Appleton Mug Madness yet to come and the musical selections can only get more infectious with the line up of selectors in store for the coming weeks.

Next week (May 14^th) is dubbed ‘Sex and the City’ and the ladies are going to love this one. The same style and fashion that has always been evident in the Sex and the City series will be bundled in a fun package which has become the norm for the May Daze themes. Come vibe to the musical selections of Zj Ice, Dj Shine, Zj Liquid & Dj Narity while enjoying 2 for 1 Appleton Drink Specials.

Event Review : "BEACH PARTY" @ DRAX HALL BEACH APRIL 4, 2010

Simply put it this way: Daydreams - the beach edition, held at Drax Hall Beach on Sunday in St Ann, was off the chain.

There were certain aspects of the party, set aside the wonderful music selections, that helped make the event a more-than-memorable experience for the fashion-savvy patrons. Promoter PJ Wright showed that in order for one to organise a successful party, limitations must not take place in any pre-planning. And the indulgence was noticed for, at regular intervals, the selectors belted over the microphone, "Big up PJ, yuh go hard wid dah one yah", and they were so right.

The all-night food service was impeccable and, despite the huge crowd, there weren't any hiccups. The decór was another feature worthy of mention. The entire venue was transformed into a spectacle. Wright also scored big with parking and security, so the normal hustle and bustle, often associated with a party was absent. And, to top it all off, the selectors were outstanding. Portmore-based sound system Chromatic controlled the early juggling and effortlessly pleased its audience with songs such as Wayne Wonder's Got Somebody and Sean Paul's Get Busy.

More and more, the patrons were getting into their groove as Chromatic continued its musical daydreaming. However, Chromatic soon made way for Timeless Sound System, which started off its segment with a string of rap hits from the 1990s.

The ladies were all looking splendid. Some opted for the more skimpy approach while others left something to the imagination. They all reacted the same way, though, when Destiny Child's smash hit Independent Woman was played and the roars continued when Timeless mixed Konshens' Realest Song, Mavado's Rain a Fall and Vybz Kartel's Life We Living.

That brought an end to Timeless' impressive set, but it was another home-based selector, Crazy Neil, who brought the energy level to further heights with top guns Coppershot and ZJ Liquid still to come

For More Photos from DAYDREAM : Click Here

SOURCE: jamaica-gleaner.com

Red Stripe Bold Socamaloo “ROAD MARCH WATCH PARTY” on Carnival Sunday

Red Stripe Bold along with The Soca Outlaws will be ensuring that traditional party‐goers and soca lovers will still be palancing this and every Sunday at the newly constructed Keycard Beach Village, the only white sand beach in the heart of New Kingston. The Soca Outlaws have completely transformed what used to be the Superplus Parking Lot into a white sandy beach, complete with, Keycard Sun Deck, Red Stripe Bold Trampoline, Wet Zone, Pool, Helshire style fish and festival and so much more.

The series, which kicked off on Sunday, March 28, 2010, was non‐stop soca madness, the name itself, which is a fusion of soca and dancehall music, promises to be one of the most anticipated carnival series for the soca season. The series boasts a different theme each week. The resident dj’s for the series, Renaissance and 3rd Dimension Music will guarantee that partygoers will be thoroughly entertained.

“Carnival season in Jamaica is such a highly anticipated time of year, so we wanted to enhance the existing carnival activities by adding a bold and unique experience for our partygoers. By creating a new beach‐type venue right in the heart of the city, adds a completely new dynamic for our patrons … great food, great music and of course Red Stripe Bold and NCB Keycard, provides patrons with a great alternative for their Sunday afternoon,” stated Delano of Renaissance, one of the promoters for the series.

The highlight for the series will be the Road March Watch Party on April 11, 2010, between the hours of 10:00 a.m – 10:00 p.m. This location provides patrons with the perfect view on Carnival Sunday, as the revelers will be chippin’ past this route twice during the march. The event will also be inclusive of Red Stripe Bold and Johnnie Walker for all patrons, before 12:00 p.m. for only $800.00.

After the Road March Watch Party, the series will continue on April 18 and April 25, between the hours of 2p.m. – 10 p.m. The only two commonalities in the series will be: the recession friendly prices, and it being the hippest place to be on a Sunday afternoon. The promoters guarantee that patrons will not only be “wowed” but will have an unbelievable experience.

For further information patrons are invited to call the Socamaloo hotline: 777‐ Soca or join us on facebook. The series is sponsored by Red Stripe Bold, Keycard, Tru Juice, CVM TV, Events R Us, ZipFM, Island Ice, Catherine’s Peak, Intec, Event 2 Event, Bars to go and Quest Security

SOURCE

Will Red Stripe Bold be Another Great Jamaican Beer

Red Stripe was proud to announce the launch of a new Red Stripe® beer to an already internationally successful brand. Red Stripe Bold®, also named “Beer with Attitude” by our brewers, will hit the spot with beer lovers everywhere who want a refreshing, yet distinct intense taste.

“Red Stripe has a great history as Jamaica’s favourite beer, and one that is gaining an ever increasing following internationally. With Red Stripe Light®, and now Red Stripe Bold®, we are continuing to satisfy the changing tastes of Jamaican and international consumers.” said Dave DaCosta, Innovation Marketing Manager, Red Stripe.

Delivered in a premium, dark, long neck bottle, Red Stripe Bold® is noticeably different to it’s original brother, whilst still instantly recognisable as part of the same strongly Jamaican family. It is brewed from the same traditional quality ingredients with added hops and double the fermenting time to deliver the distinctive “bold” robust taste, and 6% Alcohol By Volume (ABV).

The introduction of Red Stripe Bold® fulfils the company’s objective to continue to satisfy the changing demands of Jamaican and international consumers through a programme of innovation. “This is great news for Jamaicans. If we are going to keep winning with consumers we must give them the very best reasons to choose our brands. By adding Red Stripe Bold® to our portfolio of international beer, spirit cooler and spirit brands, we are ensuring Red Stripe is speaking the language that many of our consumers want to hear when they reach for a Jamaican Red Stripe®, all the instantly recognisable characteristics and high quality of our original beer, only even bolder!” said Alan Barnes, Managing Director, Red Stripe.

Red Stripe Bold® will be sold at retail in 4-packs, making it unique, accessible and convenient to consumers.

The coolest beer brand in the world just got even bolder!

SOURCE: imagesnewsletter

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What will Red stripe Dreamers get at Ras Beer Vibes and Absinthe

Two of the best parties that have never been held outside the Corporate Area will make their country debut during the Red Stripe Dream Weekend August 6 to 9.

Set for August 6 and 8, at Margaritaville and Bourbon Beach respectively, the distinctly different Absinthe and Ras Beer Vibes have been staples on the party scene for quite sometime even though Beer Vibes had been on a short hiatus. Still, over time each event has built a solid reputation. "Patrons have come to recognise our event as one that guarantees fun," explains Absinthe promoter Gersham Greene. "It's not one of those parties that you go to 'socialise'. That is one of the things that Red Stripe loved about our event. When you come to an Absinthe, the vibe is contagious."

Absinthe promises great refreshing music from some of the best deejays and sound systems around including Coppershot, Johnny Cool and DJ Liquid. But no party could be complete without the drinks. The Red Stripe mixology that was developed specifically for this party, offers a wide variety of mixes, all of which feature Red Stripe as an ingredient. "It's very refreshing, unique, you will find that plays a tremendous role in helping patrons enjoy themselves," Greene said

Ras Beer Vibes, a high-intensity party, had been a staple of the entertainment scene for a few years but like all good things, it came to an end. "The members grew up a little bit and decided to spend a little more time on their personal lives, much to the chagrin of the fans," Solomon Sharpe, one of the promoters explained. "The fans continued to ask for it and in the summer of 2007 we gave them a little reintroduction."

Their appetites whetted, the fans craved for more Beer Vibes. So, having been approached by members of the Dream Team, Sharpe said, it was decided to bring Beer Vibes back for the Dream Weekend. "We got a look-in based on our being a good alternative to what is standard, to what normally happens down in Negril," he said. Sharpe describes Beer Vibes as a "hardcore party". "To define hardcore is to define Tony Matterhorn, to define hardcore you define Firelinks; real intense juggling. These guys are coming with dub-plates to exercise their musical prowess," he said. "Years ago Firelinks did a special dub-plate calling himself Mr Ras, so when you think about where it has come from and how the party scene has changed, we're that nostalgic blast that is still current."

Sharpe said there will be non-stop hardcore action with Firelinks, Matterhorn, Panther with Black Kat, Mad Ras and Rebel T and Coppershot. As well as Black Blunt from Negril. "We're leaving no stone unturned," Sharpe said.

SOURCE: The Jamaica Observer

POSH Rules of Couture – How to live a fashionable life

A penchant for luxury and glamour seeps through the blood of even the most pastoral of Jamaican and Caribbean people. We can't help it. Its in the way we walk, the way we talk, the way we do the ‘Gangalee’ dance while brushing dust from our suede Clarks. It's that fashionable life that many strive for, but may never achieve without that 'je ne sais quoi' which is ingrained in our culture.

POSH encompasses all that is glorious about Jamaica and the Caribbean's fashion, lifestyle and entertainment scene: beautiful people, exquisite fashion, hypnotic melodies and intoxicating beats. But to join the ranks of the Caribbean's life couturiers, there are rules.

PopstyleJamaica.com presents the Rules of Couture 'How to live a fashionable life' as translated by Syndicate Events and Pulse Investments' for POSH – official Caribbean Fashion Week 2009 after-party, Saturday June 13, 2009 at Villa Ronai, Stony Hi

The lavish grounds of Villa Ronai, Stony Hill, St. Andrew beckons for an unrivalled experience which affords the fusion of fabulous decor, scintillating rhythms, delightful cocktails, exquisite fashion and trendy people.

A mere contribution of $1,200.00 presale and $1,700.00 at the gate facilitates your date with luxury where you may sip from our never ending stream of inclusive SMIRNOFF cocktails. Tickets will be available at the following choice locations - Shimmer, X'tras and the Puma Store. Musical Ambience by Renaissance and Coppershot.

Yves Saint Laurent stated "Fashions fade, Style is eternal" hence we invite you to come flaunt your own Style.

POSH - The Couture Edition is an official 2009 Caribbean Fashion Week event presented by SYNDICATE Events and SMIRNOFF...Clearly Original...Clearly Smirnoff.

Must be 18 years and older...Have SMIRNOFF Responsibly!!!

GET YOUR TICKETS, outfits, accessory, and hairstyling @:

v Shimmer - Milbrook Plaza, Constant Spring Road v The Puma Store- Tropical Plaza, Constant Spring Road v Xtra's - Mall Plaza, Constant Spring Road v Just Natural Hair Studio - Pulse, New Kingston

SOURCE

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The Red Stripe Dream Weekend Kick off Party

The Red Stripe Dream Weekend Kick off party will be on Friday June 19th @ the roof of the NHT parking lot.

This event will be the official armband launch whereby patrons can come to the event to purchase their Red Stripe Dream Band at a specially discounted price of $7,000.



SOURCE

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New York Launch For Reggae Sumfest on June 11th

The annual New York media launch is set for a top New York Club and will be hosted this June 11th by Upscale Crowd, promoters of several top events in New York City.

While the launch kick-off is restricted to the media and VIP guests only, all Sumfest fans are invited to the after party at Club Eden, 268 W 47th Street in Manhattan from 9 p.m. For the third consecutive year, Hard Beat Communications will coordinate the New York launch and subsequent North American promotion in the lead up to the festival.

So far, Sumfest executive director, Johnny Gourzong, has announced a top list of reggae acts for the July 19th – 25th event. The who`s who list of performers includes Damian ‘Jr. Gong` Marley, the doctor, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Elephant Man, Lady Saw, Busy Signal, Spice, Kip Rich, D’Angel, Konshens, Prodigal Son, Black Ryno, Jah Vinci, Charly Black, Flippa Mafia and I-Octane.

On Friday night, July 24th, a series of conscious vibes will take over Montego Bay with performances from Morgan Heritage, Jah Cure, Coco T, Queen Ifrica, Da’ville, Dub Tonic Kru and Jazmine Sullivan.

And on Saturday, ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley along with Nas, Inner Circle, Tarrus Riley, Etana and Rhaatid, are set to heat up the stage.

The world’s greatest showcase of reggae music will officially open on July 19th and close on July 25th. Sponsors for the 2009 event include Digicel, Air Jamaica, Jamrock Magazine, Ocean Spray and the Jamaica Tourist Board among others.

SOURCE: highlanda.wordpress.com

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A.T.I OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE : The Merger .... Absolute Entertainment and Appleton Rum

"I am happy to work with Al (Alex Chin) again after the 3 year separation. Despite the differences, we remained friends and we always expressed the interest of one day working together again, and finally, this dream has come true. What we created 9 years ago has now grown into a tourism product that promises so much for Negril, Jamaica and the world." states David Walton, brand manager of Appleton Jamaica Rum as he announce Appleton Sponsorship of ORIGINAL ATI... Appleton Temptation Isle which will be hosted between August 5 to 9, 2009 in Negril, Jamaica. "What we have here is something that will be around for at least the next 30 years".

Below is the Official Press Release as Prepared by Absolute Entertainment Ltd.

"Nine years ago Alex Chin had a vision to create the ultimate party weekend, numerous events under one season band. Through this vision the ATI family was formed. For the first five years, Appleton held the title sponsorship position for this ground breaking series, at which point both brands explored different paths. After a three year hiatus, both party giants have reunited, Absolute and Appleton is proud to bring back the ORGINAL ATI. To date this partnership has proved to be the ultimate, unforgettable Party Weekend, with years of experience and sold out parties in Negril.

Temptation Ilse has for nine years ruled the party scene as a calender event for the best parties in Jamaica, which is much anticipated wild beach parties, live events and vibes riddled all inclusive events. Best explained by the "Weekend that never sleeps" this concept weekend has proved to be the ONLY successful mix of beach, fashion, music, food and drinks, proven by the high number of returned partiers as well as those who travel from as far as London, Canada, Atlanta, Baltimore and Miami.

With the goal insight just two months away, we are announcing the Merger, the two brands together to give you the experience of a lifetime .... Negril, Jamaica, welcomes ATI 2009 brought to you by Absolute Entertainment Ltd and Appleton Jamaica Rum, August 5th to 9th. Our featured line-up includes Hip Hop Jouvert, Tempted "Glow" , Pretty in Pink on the Beach, Rhythm & Booze, Stages, The ATI Toga Party, Colours, Wild Sides and Fusion.

In commemorating the reunion of the Original Negril Weekend partners we have decided to offer our loyal patrons a unique opportunity to purchase our limited edition ' Original Negril Season Band" ticket. This unbelievable priced ticket will be available starting Monday June 1. Additional we have listened to the feedback from our patrons outside of Kingston, and have made arrangement for these tickets to be avialable at the following outlets across the island:

Dunrobin Texaco in Kingston

Fairview Texaco Bogue, Montego Bay

Heaven's Texaco in Mandeville

White River Texaco in Ocho Rios

We look forward to taking our partons, Beyond the Fun, Beyond the Vibe, Beyond the Experience, .... It's going to be ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!"

SOURCE

Red Stripe vs Appleton, Absolute vs the Dream Team, Emancipation Weekend in Negril

The boxing gloves are on for this Emancipation weekend, as the competition for the hottest parties to take over Negril gets heated with the newly formed Negril Weekend testing its mettle against veterans Appleton and Absolute who have reunited for Absolute Entertainment ATI.

In April the newly formed Dream team organisers of the Negril Dream Weekend announced the formation of the new party series that saw signature events from RTI and ATI weekends joining forces.

Persons who were left wondering what would happen to other parties in the RTI/ATI catalogue now have their answer, as Appleton and Absolute Entertainment, originators of the Negril weekend party series, have reunited. The two started the ATI weekend back in 2001 and separated in 2006, each staging separate party series in Negril, but according to Alex Chin of Absolute Entertainment, Appleton has signed on to sponsor Absolute Temptation Isle and it "feels good."

Not only is ATI on for Emancipation weekend, but the series is also extended from three to four days, August 5 to August 9. Chin told The STAR, "because Thursday is the holiday, we decided to start from the Wednesday with a welcome party in the night which is a new event."

ATI weekend includes Hip Hop Jouvert, Tempted (Delano's Birthday Bash), Pretty in Pink, Rhythm and Booze, Temptation Live Part 1, Stages, Colours, Temptation Live Part 2, Wildsides, Fusion and a new event, The Toga Party. With eleven parties in the series, there will be three to four parties a day for patrons to choose from or to attend all.

On the other hand, the Negril Dream Weekend will consist of parties like, 'Daydreams' the ultimate daytime beach party , 'Twisted Spirits' the 32 mixed drinks inclusive event, 'Xtreme Wet and Wild' at the Khool Runnings Waterpark, 'Yush' Negril's true '90s throwback party, and 'The Concert' which features International and local artistes and celebrities.

ATI doesn't begin in Negril, as the promoters plan to hold islandwide events as a precursor to the party series. Extatic Fridays held each week at Cuddyz in New Kingston, will host a pre-ATI event, and there will also be pre-ATI events held in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Mandeville, and weekly pre-ATI parties at various night-clubs in Kingston - all of which will be announced at the official launch in June.

For Chin, the reunited Appleton and Absolute Temptation Isle, represent the best package for Negril weekend. "We are the original weekend so it's back to the original which represented good entertainment," Chin said.

SOURCE: The Star

ATI NEGRIL "the orgins" How it All Started

The term ATI has changed so much over the past decade. Even usual party goers who are generally in the know have been spun for a loop this year with the old ATI now becoming RTI , and a “new” "ATI" being born. It is all quite confusing even for those who live here in Jamaica and have experienced the ATI weekend.

For those of us who are not so quite “in the know”; The terms Independence Weekend and ATI Weekend have become synonymous over the past couple of years. Jamaica celebrates its Independence on August 6th each year and on that weekend each year, Negril is host to a massive series of parties. This weekend has, since 2001, been called the ATI weekend.

The first ATI was launched in summer 2001 with the name Absolute Temptation Isle. The event is an enormous party weekend usually starting on the Friday and ending on the Monday. Each day and night is filled with entertainment from the biggest names in the music business from here in Jamaica, and as far abroad as Japan, and all inclusive drinking and eating.

In 2002 Appleton went on board as the title sponsor for the event and Absolute Temptation Isle now became Appleton Treasure Isle. The party weekend continued as usual with the only change being the meaning of the Acronym. In 2006 a rift developed between the sponsors: Appleton and Absolute Entertainment and both decided to host their party weekends with the same ATI acronym on separate weekends with one set of parties on Emancipation Weekend, which is August 1st, and the other on Independence Weekend.

In 2007 things changed even more. At Absolute Temptation Isle’s Press Launch, it was announced that Red Stripe would become the new title sponsor and so the new name was born “RTI”- Red Stripe Temptation Isle, and with that announcement came much excitement.

Now in 2009 week have another change. The Dream Weekend will be added to the Negril Weekend. Kamal Bankay of Dream Team, organisers of Negril Dream Weekend, told THE WEEKEND STAR: "what's really happening is that the strongest events in Negril have come together to make one band where the strongest will survive.

These initially were : Daydreams - the ultimate daytime beach party; Twisted Spirits - the 32 mixed drinks inclusive event; Xtreme Wet and Wild at the Kool Runnings Waterpark; Yush - Negril's true '90s throwback party; Wildsides, which is the oldest Negril weekend event; and The Concert, which features international and local artistes and celebrities. Rumors how ever floating around that Absinthe has been added to the Dreamweekend.

Negril looking to be a hub of activity again, which series will be a hit among the patrons?

SOURCE: enterjamaica.com

Mavado world Tour Continues

Dancehall megastar Mavado kicked off his UK/European Tour in fine style last night at Club Isis in Nottingham, causing pandemonium with the many females in attendance, who spent most of his performance trying to drag him off stage.

The packed club was the first of 4 shows on the “Brighter Days” UK tour, with Bristol, Bradford and London finishing off the UK leg on Sunday night. Alliance stablemate Serani and Bugle are also on the UK tour. The Anger Management Band is the backing band for the London show, with Alliance selector Boom Boom also in the travel party.

Today (Monday) sees Mavado jetting off to Paris for his first-ever live shows in Europe, which will see the Gully god blaze a trail through France, Holland, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium.

“It’s my third time in the UK and every time it gets bigger and better,” says Mavado. “I will be performing in many new cities and countries on this tour which is exciting and I am looking forward to going to Europe to spread my music and represent Jamaica.”

As soon as Mavado finishes up in Europe he will fly straight into Miami for the Best of the Best Memorial Day Weekend extravaganza, that promises to be bigger and better than ever, rounding out a gruelling month in LA for the UCLA Jazz Festival on Monday May 25th.

Being able to perform in UK cities that had previously stopped Mavado performing there and with successful shows in St Maarten and Antigua recently, his travelling woes seem far behind now, as Mavado moves on to a busy Summer that will see him in action in Atlanta, Greensboro, the St Kitts Music Festival, HOT 97's Summer Jam, the Brooklyn Music festival and his first ever tour to Japan amongst other places.

SOURCE:outaroad

Reggae Sumfest Begins on July 19

The Summerfest Production team members are keeping secret the international acts they are in talks with for the festival - which begins on July 19 with a beach party and continues with three days of magnificent live performances beginning on Thursday, July 23 and ending on Saturday, July 25 - but say that they are pleased with the direction the line-up is taking.

"We are pleased with how the line-up is coming together, and we promise this year's Sumfest will be one to remember."

With dancehall acts Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Busy Signal and Elephant Man already confirmed for the show, along with reggae stars Tarrus Riley, Etana, Coco Tea and Morgan Heritage, the show's line-up is truly shaping up to be an entertainment explosion.

Summerfest Productions will take over Montego Bay from July 19-25 for the 17th staging of the greatest reggae show on Earth, Reggae Sumfest ... so get ready to be infected with Reggae Sumfest fever.

SOURCE

Patrice Wilson-McHugh Grand Mixologist of Bars-To-Go

PATRICE Wilson-McHugh could not whip up a meal to save her life, but there is no denying the fact that she is an expert when it comes to running a business and preparing a top-notch cocktail.

The 29-year-old is a certified mixologist, and operates the five-year-old Bars-To-Go Group of Companies with her husband Robert. The company offers full bar, consignment services, catering services and operates a school to train bartenders.

"Let us say that you are having an event, we would come in and set up everything. So we will bring in the bartenders, the equipment, infrastructure, disposables, liquor - everything you need to have that will give you an outside bar," she explained.

With the success of Bars-To-Go, the couple then started Gourmet-To-Go in 2006 to satisfy their clients' need to have a one-stop party service supplier. So in addition to providing lunch during the week for their corporate clients, they also provide catering services for weddings, office gatherings, parties, school activities and a whole range of other social events.

"When we started out, we started out with just the bar service, but then I realised that I would have clients calling me asking me if I know anybody that does food, or rental etcetera. I realised that you have people out there who wanted a one stop shop, so we started it," Wilson-McHugh said.

Becoming a successful entrepreneur had never crossed her mind while growing up. Instead, the mixologist recalls days dreaming of becoming an air hostess on the national airline while attending Merl Grove High School.

But after finishing school, she enrolled in business college where she pursued her certification in accounting. Soon after, she started working at McDonalds and later joined the staff at Kingston Hub as an accountant.

Her job meant going to exclusive parties and gave her the chance to network with corporate executives.

But when her now five-year-old daughter Makayla was born, she knew it was time to move on.

"After the birth of my daughter, I realised that I needed to have something that was stable. I wasn't only now providing for myself, I now had a family. So I started thinking outside of the box and the direction that I was thinking was not in the direction that the company was going. They weren't thinking about the party service side, so I decided to branch out on my own. Shortly after doing so, I managed to purchase the majority of their equipment," she said.

So while her husband stayed home to take care of their daughter, Wilson-McHugh started working on drafting the business and getting it off the ground. Her networking at Kingston Hub paid off big time, as she was able to secure her clients from her previous job. She also secured and re-trained bartenders to reach the standard she wanted, and got herself certified in making cocktails.

"Prior to going into the business I didn't have any training except the training I had at Kingston Hub. The training that I realise is available in Jamaica is basic bartender training. I don't regard myself as a bartender; I regard myself as a mixologist. Bartenders are people who just mix drinks, while a mixologist is someone who creates cocktails," she explained.

"She is very outspoken and firm when it comes to running her business. Where her business is concerned, she has to be aggressive to make it work," Powell said.

Wilson-McHugh is currently a member of the United States Bartenders Guild. She is also certified to practice mixology anywhere in New York and England, and has also received her bar certification. She is currently working on becoming a master mixologist and will be doing an exam in Atlanta next month to bring her closer to this goal.

"Learning about spirits is something I love. I realised that there was more to just mixing a cocktail. Gone were the days when my time of enjoyment would be like taking up and reading a novel. If you come to my office and go to my house, all of the books are cocktail books. I just have a real passion for it," she beamed.

Although business is important, family is top priority for Wilson-McHugh.

More on Bar to Go.

FACEBOOK: Bars to Go Party Service Limited

Website: http://www.barstogojamaica.com/

Office:5 Central Road, Shop #2, Kingston 10

Location:Kingston, Jamaica

SOURCE : JAMAICA OBSEVER

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Red Stripe Temptation Isle (RTI) Loses Daydreams, and Wildsides to The Negril Dream Series

The organisers of Red Stripe Temptation Isle (RTI) say the series of parties will return to Negril over the Independence weekend with a few changes, including the loss of signature parties Daydreams and Wildsides to the new Negril Dream Weekend. Last week it was announced that a new party series would begin on the west coast called the Negril Dream Weekend which would feature a combination of the best parties from Red Stripe/Absolute Entertainment Temptation Isle and Appleton Treasure Island.

Kamal Bankay of the Dream Team, organisers of the Negril Dream Weekend explained: "What's really happening is that the strongest events in Negril have come together to make one band where the strongest will survive. So the so-called RTI band and ATI band that we're used to for the last two years as it stands, is now one band."

International artistes

The Negril Dream Weekend includes: Daydreams, Twisted Spirits, Xtreme Wet and Wild, Wildsides, Yush and The Concert, a new event that will feature International and local artistes and celebrities. However, Alex Chin from Absolute Entertainment, originators of the Negril party weekend, confirmed to THE STAR yesterday that RTI will still be kept from August 6 to 9.

said: "RTI is still on with the same parties except for Daydreams." The parties for RTI weekend include: Stages, Joker's Wild, Tempted, Pretty in Pink and Temptation Live. According to Chin, Absolute Entertainment is currently in negotiations with Red Stripe to maintain their title sponsorship and the details are being sorted. When contacted, a representative from Red Stripe was unable to comment on the issue at the moment.

Still here

Chin said: "I have no problem with another weekend being created, I can't stop anybody. We started the whole season band for the weekend concept and every year there has been competition and nine years after we started, we're still here... personally I wish there wasn't the different armbands for the weekend which would make it less hectic, I wish there was one weekend but that's not gonna happen."

One of the parties that jumped ship to Negril Dream Weekend is Wildsides, which is one of the longest running Negril weekend parties. Yhan Hendricks from Alaska Entertainment, organisers of Wildsides told THE STAR: "Wildsides is a part of the dream weekend, as the name of the weekend itself suggests, everything will be put together in a dream format." Despite the loss of Daydreams and Wildsides to the RTI weekend, Chin promises that the event will continue to be an excellent event that gives patrons a true all-inclusive event.

Will there be any more surprises, and what will be the cost for the bands this year?

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ATI n RTI MERGE ... " thanks for the RECESSION"

There will be no Red Stripe Temptation Island (RTI) or Appleton Treasure Isle (ATI) this summer. Instead, patrons can expect the perfect 'Negril Dream Weekend' as both parties have been combined.

This Independence weekend, from Thursday, August 6, to Sunday, August 9, persons can purchase one arm band that will get them into six all-inclusive events. These are: Daydreams - the ultimate daytime beach party; Twisted Spirits - the 32 mixed drinks inclusive event; Xtreme Wet and Wild at the Kool Runnings Waterpark; Yush - Negril's true '90s throwback party; Wildsides, which is the oldest Negril weekend event; and The Concert, which features international and local artistes and celebrities.

Kamal Bankay of Dream Team, organisers of Negril Dream Weekend, told THE WEEKEND STAR: "what's really happening is that the strongest events in Negril have come together to make one band where the strongest will survive. So, the so-called RTI band and ATI band that we're used to for the last two years is now one band."

Dream Team consists of Yohan Hendricks, promoter of Wildsides; P.J. Wright of Daydreams; Philip Palmer of Yush; Bankay and Matthew Samuda of Xtreme Wet and Wild; Ron Burke of Twisted Spirits, among others. According to Bankay, "the plan for this event is five years where we plan to tap into external promoters, outside tour groups, good capital expansion and more. The goal is getting the right type of sponsorships and then, the sky is the limit."

At present, there is no title sponsor, but Bankay said Dream Team is in the process of contacting companies and the title sponsor will be announced at a later date. Rival liquor companies, Red Stripe and J. Wray and Nephew, which have sponsored the event in the past, are expected to be the leading candidates.

As for the price of the weekend band, Bankay said they are aiming to make it affordable.

SPLIT

The Independence weekend partying started in 2001 with ATI but was split into two events in 2006 when Absolute Entertainment and Appleton parted ways - the result was Appleton Treasure Isle and Absolute Temptation Island. In 2007, Red Stripe sponsored Absolute's event and renamed it RTI.

Bankay said patrons will appreciate the merging of the two events this year.

"Persons will have it a lot easier this weekend, without having to decide which band to choose and which parties to go to. The parties will show a heighten level of organisation and expect Negril to be the most fun you'll have," he said. "You'll be dazzled and astounded and know that it was money well spent and if you save your money and choose this party for the year, it will be where you will have the most fun."

The Independence weekend usually sees a mass migration of persons to Negril, which results in a huge boost in earnings for business people in the area operating hotels, restaurants and car and bike rental. According to Bankay, last year was the largest turnout with an estimated 10,000-15,000 persons attending RTI and ATI.

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