BRT Weekend Fireworks Too 'Lit' For Florida Keys only
Published:Wednesday | November 9, 2016 | 12:00 AMCarolyn Sinclair
With a large ferris wheel rotating slowly against the night sky, a fireworks show that seemed to pleasantly go on forever illuminated the Florida Keys skies in Islamorada on Sunday night, as patrons dressed to impress in all-white and partied at the final event of the BRT Weekend.
The magnificent display of colourful lights and startling explosive sounds was a welcome attraction for patrons who moments before were left puzzled and hopeful when the music was turned down low, so low that you could have a conversation without shouting at the Shellzz All-White event.
With at least an hour left for patrons to party at the last event of the weekend, repeatedly described as 'lit', patrons were bouncing to the bassline of skilfully mixed tracks when it was declared too loud by police personnel who approached the stage armed with sound-level meters used to check decibel levels, ordering that the music be turned down.
The party, however, continued with a few overzealous patrons being escorted to an early exit, while several high rollers dropped US$5,000 on bottles of alcohol on a couple occasions, as the selectors played the 'Wipe Out Riddim' to indicate that a large sum was spent at the bar. It was as if the track was stuck on repeat, with no fewer than five plays.
Living up to its hype, BRT's grand finale, the all-white event, hosted by the mermaids, saw generally pleased patrons in the packed venue being served with hits after hits from the likes of Jamaica's DJ Nicco, Renaissance Disco's Jazzy T and Delano, Chromatic Sound and New Yorker and Hot 97's DJ Young Chow, fresh off a gig in Dubai, supported by his brother DJ Chinee Chow, who recently played in Puerto Rico.
The three-day, six-party event saw Jamaica-born DJ Dutty Dex being awarded as the 2016 BRT Weekend Honouree, and Shervon Griffiths walking away with the Miss BRT weekend title, copping US$1,000 prize money and the privilege to represent the BRT brand as it dives into plans for its 2017 tour. They announced plans of taking the party weekend to Dominica, California, New York and back to the Florida Keys, which promoter Hans Mullings says will be something great.