Jermaine Williams, Outlook Youth Writer
"Don't blame mi, blame it on the Hipnotic"; "Liquor mek yu get mad inna di club"; and quite rightly so.
THE IDEA of drinking and partying is a widely held notion; in fact, the question is not if you're going to drink, but rather, how much are you going to drink. Consequently, promoters have sought to utilise this surge to their advantage by organising more all-inclusive parties.
Take for example last Christmas season, in less than three weeks there were just over four major all-inclusive parties: Smirnoff experience, French Connection, Memosa, 11:59, Special Delivery to name a few; with the price tag ranging from $1,500 to a whopping $4,000. The overall budget would have cost you $11,000 pre-sold and $14,000 at the gate.
PROMOTERS' PERSPECTIVES
According to Linton White, aka TJ, of New Era Entertainment, "All-inclusive parties are more feasible for both the promoters and the patrons and are also more profitable." White who is the promoter of Secret of the Booze, said, "Most patrons do not like to carry money to parties and all-inclusives allow them the perfect opportunity to spend once and enjoy themselves."
He added that even though all-inclusives are a dynamic phenomenon there are always going to be crowds who would prefer the original dancehall format.
Why all inclusives?
LESS ILL FORTUNES:
"I have worked at a few of these parties that are contrary to the regular $500 parties which attract a more fiery crowd, renowned for fights, robberies and high tensions. Parties with these price tags attract a filtered crowd. For example, last years French Connection at the Gulf Academy, we had no unfortunate incidents," a constable of the New Kingston police division said.
ONLY ONE COST:
"People would rather pay once and drink at will, which is far more convenient than the usual hassle to buy tickets and then joining another line to collect a drink," says TJ.
"Also, we promoters find that once the parties are well attended, all things being equal, profits are usually guaranteed."
DRAWBACKS
We all know too well the link between excessive drinking and road accidents. Unfortunately too, promiscuity also tends to follow heavy drinking and this could increase the risk of persons contracting sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.
Though we have not seen much of this all-inclusive phenomenon since the start of the year, we can expect them to reappear as it nears mid year with the likes of Appleton's ATI weekends and many more.
