Fri | Nov 15, 2024

Illuminate lights up the road with soca rave

Published:Saturday | April 6, 2024 | 12:10 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
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Ashley Gavin (left) and Jordania Mason were among those fêteing ‘til a morning.
Nathaniel Stewart
Ashley Gavin (left) and Jordania Mason were among those fêteing ‘til a morning.
Brie Nicholson was on par with the night’s glow theme.
Nathaniel Stewart
Brie Nicholson was on par with the night’s glow theme.
Soca artiste Mical Teja (left) and dancehall artiste Laa Lee pause from the night’s festivities for a quick photo.
Nathaniel Stewart
Soca artiste Mical Teja (left) and dancehall artiste Laa Lee pause from the night’s festivities for a quick photo.
From left: John Beckford of Miami Carnival, with Andrew Bellamy and DJ Riggo Sauve of New York at Illuminate, which is a partnership between DJ Franco and Brush-1, held Wednesday April 3 at the UWI Mona Bowl, St Andrew.
Nathaniel Stewart
From left: John Beckford of Miami Carnival, with Andrew Bellamy and DJ Riggo Sauve of New York at Illuminate, which is a partnership between DJ Franco and Brush-1, held Wednesday April 3 at the UWI Mona Bowl, St Andrew.
Illuminate brought out the beauties in their iridescent Monday wear, and this reveller was no exception.
Nathaniel Stewart
Illuminate brought out the beauties in their iridescent Monday wear, and this reveller was no exception.
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With this soca season comes a host of fêtes leading up to the big showdown on Carnival Sunday. One of the events that ignited soca appetites, leaving attendees satisfied from start to finish, was Illuminate.

The designated shuttle buses, which were readily available for those making their way from the parking lot, set an exciting tone for the merriment that awaited beyond the entrance.

Glowing lights greeted many squads as they got acquainted with the grounds of The UWI Mona Bowl in neon fashion. Aside from the customary cups on arrival, illuminators were able to throw ‘shade’ in style with lit glasses that glowed in the dark of the night.

The event, a partnership between DJ Franco and Brush1, sent soca waves over the speakers, appealing to all of the senses and the energy elevated to euphoric heights as socaphiles gyrated waistlines in wild fashion, showing off their worst behaviour in the process.

With the view that there’s no place like home resonating in the hearts of so many Jamaicans, new soca sensation Mical Teja, who is from Trinidad and Tobago, echoed this sweet sentiment for locals as he took to the main stage truck style.

Teja, who was performing on the island for the first time, seemed to be right at home as he received a warm welcome from eager socaphiles. They were all too happy to jump and prance in revelry, singing along in unison.

The artiste soon stepped out to explore other tracks like Hall of Fame, but then he returned to his DNA anthem where everyone chipped at attention to the hit song.

A short interlude thereafter gave illuminators the opportunity to top up their drinks at the bar before sojourning on a ‘wine-of-a-kind’ march experience. Feters followed in hot pursuit as the music truck flashed its neon lights and headed for its victory lap around the venue.

During this high-spirited trek, revellers were able to engage in a regional carnival tradition of crossing the stage. Once the march was over, the party setting reconvened in glowing fashion. In a surprising turn of events, dancehall artiste Charley Blacks gave the audience a riveting performance of some of his greatest hits. He also gave attendees new music to savour.

The party ended on such a high note that the majority remained on the field, soaking up the memories of an epic experience.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com

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