Patrons revel under confetti rain during 'Survivor' last Friday when Bachannal Carnival 2003 was kicked off at Mas Camp, New Kingston. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer THE SOCA masses were awakened on Friday night when Carnival 2003 - 'Survivor', kicked off at the Mas Camp on Oxford Road in St. Andrew, and many were eager for the season to start.
"I couldn't wait, I have been counting down to this since last year April, and finally it is here Carnival is back y'all," Sharon, a self-confessed 'soca freak', told The Gleaner.
As she spoke she followed instructions from Alison Hinds and Square One, courtesy of the night's disco, Sparkle to 'Lift a foot inna di air'. Her group of female friends was busy doing the same as they sipped on Smirnoff Ice from mugs courtesy of that beverage company.
Michael Ammar Jr. of Bacchanal Jamaica explained the reasons for the perceived late start of this year's Carnival. "We haven't really started late this year, it's Easter that is later - it's in April and we have our programme exactly 10 weeks leading up to Easter," he said.
However, from the large turnout it was clear that many soca fans were just happy that the group had kicked off their Carnival offerings. As has become the custom over the past several years, the venue was decorated to suit to this year's theme. At the entrance to Mas Camp, patrons were met by a large African mask anchored firmly on the bamboo fence, as the words 'Survivor' greeted patrons.
Once inside there were several sights that caught the eye. To the immediate left was the 'Survivor Outpost' where souvenirs in the form of T-shirts were on sale.
One of the main sponsors, Digicel, set up a booth with a second-storey balcony for those who wanted to dance or sit in private.
However, it was Smirnoff Ice which showed every other sponsor the proper way to create a buzz. Everybody inside the venue seemed to be sipping their drinks from large Smirnoff mugs. Then to the far left of the venue they set up a steel-encased nightclub. A large plasma screen with the words 'The Smirnoff Experience' beckoned clubgoers. Once inside, an icy feeling was created courtesy of air conditioners set to frigid, and there were fog machines. Sparkles' music kept those who wanted to dance moving their waistlines while others patronised the bar.
Also having booths were the Bachannal Jamaica crew. The Oakridge and Revellers offerings had the six costumes for this year's road parade encased in glass. Several persons bought costumes for this year's march.
The Buccaneer theme was in full effect by the J'ouvert booth sponsored by Appleton Jamaica. A male and female mannequin dressed as pirates stood guard over treasure chests filled with bounty in the form of fake gold coins and chains.
However the real highlight of the night was the 'New Year'. At minutes to midnight the Bacchanal Jamaica staff handed out party favours which consisted of masks, hats, noisemakers and chains to the patrons. On the stroke of midnight, confetti rained from the sky and the party was really ready to begin.
Partiers began to do 'the wave' and 'pon di river, pon di bank' as well as a whole lot of wining to the soca remixes of Sean Paul's Gimme di Light, Elephant Man's Elephant Message and Wayne Wonder's No Letting Go. Even new rap star 50 Cent's In Da Club was 'soca-ised'.
Also on 'earplay' was some of the new music out of Trinidad. Soca fans were introduced to Traffik's Front as well as Machel Mantano's Pack Up and Roll and Kevin Lyttle's Sexy Ways.
At about 2:00 a.m. patrons, some drenched by sweat, made their way out of Mas Camp.
