Shurwayne Winchester ignites Smirnoff Beach J'Ouvert - It was unbridled, unadulterated soca 'madness'

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

Shurwayne Winchester was the icing on the cake as the curtains came down on Smirnoff Beach J'Ouvert at James Bond Beach in Oracabessa, St Mary on Saturday.

The double Road March champion from Trinidad and Tobago was at his soca best, lasting an hour-and-a-half on stage, during which time he welcomed Farmer Nappy, after following Patrice Roberts who opened the show.

It might have been the biggest crowd at the event - counting cars - and this translated into a massive crowd.

Navigating through the crowd of paint-soaked bodies was like trying to escape from a bomb-ravaged paint factory. Everyone was pretty on Saturday, thanks to the array of colours brought on by the ad hoc paint job done on just about every patron.

If you weren't pretty in paint, you weren't partying it seems.

The energy level was unbelievable. Spurred on by the never ending flow of alcoholic beverages and the uncompromising vibes being generated, it was unbridled and unadulterated fun as thousands rallied to each beat of exciting soca songs. Carnival at its best.

"Smirnoff Beach J'Ouvert has potential to become an international event," one patron suggested to The Gleaner.

It was the final event before Bacchanal J'Ouvert at Mas Camp on Friday (April 5) and Winchester made sure it was a special occasion.

Patrice Roberts opened the stage proceedings and spent 20 minutes getting patrons ready for what was to come. It came in the form of the form of Winchester who opened by urging patrons to "put your flag inna di air!" The crowd responded in like manner. It was soca madness as patrons - representing several Caribbean countries, (thanks in large part, no doubt, to the student population at UWI) - waved like crazy.

"Last year I had surgery, I came on stage with a bad knee and you welcomed me. I'm gonna make up for that," Winchester told his audience. And he did.

He delivered from his repertoire of songs, that include Don't Stop, Wining Addiction, Dead or Alive, We Control the Road among others.

He brought on his dancers to "workie, workie" to Wining Addiction. Then he brought on three dancers - one each from Trinidad, Kingston and 'the country' for a competition. In the end they used him as their wining target and for a moment, the crowd must have feared for his survival.

Winchester served as anchor to bring on Farmer Nappy. Despite Farmer Nappy's proven ability to excite on stage, his 15 minutes failed to keep the audience at the level Winchester had brought them to.

Good combination

The evening would not have been complete without a taste of Bunji Garlin's Differentology (Ready for the World) and Winchester and Nappy combined well to deliver.

Sponsors Smirnoff were pleased with the event, according to brand manager Marsha Lumley.

"Smirnoff is the brand for high energy occasions. This Easter weekend the brand unleashed several events including Smirnoff Beach J'Ouvert which was well supported," Lumley told The Gleaner. "We pulled out all the stops this carnival season to provide an amazing and complete experience for consumers including signature cocktails. It was the perfect platform to introduce the newest addition to the Ice Line, Smirnoff Green Apple Bite