Help JA Children's march: A success

“PROTECT OUR…CHILDREN! SAVE OUR…CHILDREN!” were the words which echoed throughout New Kingston on May 1^st, the beginning of Child’s month.  After the shocking revelation some of the abuse faced by the Jamaican children, it sparked some quick action by Brandon Allwood and his team (Candiese Leveridge, Jaevion Nelson, K. Dominic McKenzie, Lonique Chin and Ricardo Brooks) in forming the advocacy group Help JA Children which is aimed at raising awareness about child abuse and helping Jamaica’s children. The first plan of ‘Help JA Children’ was to have a march and rally to shatter the silence and make their voices heard.

The march started at the Bustamante Children’s hospital where persons who took a keen interest in the cause, gathered to ‘shatter the silence’ about child abuse. The march went on to the Emancipation Park where persons assembled outside to make themselves seen and their voices heard by passersby.  “Stop child abuse! Protect our Children! Love our Children!” were the chants which resonated through the city. The rally continued on inside the park where Claudette Pious lead advocate of Children First (A non-governmental organization) ,Carolyn Gomes from the Human Rights organization, Dr Pauline Mullings chairperson of the National Child's Month Committee, Greg Smith from the OCR (Office of the Children’s Registry), Marcia Wilson from NPTAJ (National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica) and also representatives from Jamaicans for  Justice, CISOCA (The Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offenses & Child Abuse) and the UN all loaned their voices in spreading awareness of child abuse. 

There was also a performance from 'Children's First' which highlighted two cases of child abuse. Sexual abuse (Father molesting his daughter) and Physical abuse (Mother beating her son)

 Members of the entertainment fraternity were also in attendance and helped in urging supporters to break the silence, persons such as Voicemail, Denyque, Raine Seville, Ity & Fancy cat, Ishawna, Empress. Former Miss. Jamaica world/universe Yendi Phillips, reigning Miss. Jamaica Danielle Crosskill along with the 2012 Miss. Jamaica contestants all played a part in the march to help save the Jamaican Children.

As stated by the ‘Help JA Children’ organization, “This is only the beginning”. The aim of the march was to raise awareness in the fight against child abuse. It’s only the start of plans which are already in the works to help protect our children. Here is a part of the speech from Chief advocate of ‘Help JA Children’, Brandon Allwood where he spoke about child abuse and some of the plans of organization. 

The children are our future and if we sit back and do nothing while they are being abused, there will be no future or a future not worth looking forward to. Children have a right to be safe and protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination. They have a right to be children. It is the duty of society to ensure that each and every child is protected from harm, play your part in helping a child, if you know of a child who is being abused or you SUSPECT is being abused, call 1-888-PROTECT and report the matter. Do your part in saving a child’s life. Help JA’s Children, Shatter the silence. 

Scenes from the Help JA Children's march & Rally  

 

For more pictures from the 'Help JA Children' march and rally ---> CLICK HERE

Tailwind.... ssshhhhhhh!

RANDOMS FROM TAILWIND

* I think we all forgot where we were. (Only people who were there know what I mean) lol :-$

* I have never been so nervous going through any party pics… Skkanme had be holding ma heart in fear of what I might have seen. X__X

* ONE CAYLISS NIGHT! Lol … The next one is definitely not missing me! :-D

* When (8) Drop pon di grung n roll (8) started playing… who was that on the ground rolling? X_x *innocent face*

* I loved how the ‘Uptown’ people DASH OUT lol

*Let me not say ANYTHING MORE, What happened at Tailwind, should stay at tailwind! *Squares off the night*

*Flashback to Tailwind* … You know what, let me go read my bible and ask for forgiveness. Hallelujah! Praise the lord! Lol  

Look out for my REVIEW. 

The new bacchanal venue !!!!?

With the soca season slowly creeping upon us and with the shutdown of Mas Camp, the place we’ve come to call HOME for Bacchanal, the question that fills the air is “Where will Bacchanal be held now?” The word on the street and from good sources is that Bacchanal will be held at the National Stadium’s car park. (Although yet to be officially confirmed)

If this is actually the new venue for Bacchanal, I’m curious to see how they transform it to somewhat resemble Mas Camp, a place we have become accustomed. Another aspect of this venue that I hope is being looked at is security. Being so close to certain communities I hope the safety of patrons is taken into consideration as it’s a factor being considered by many.  Once measures are put in place to ensure that people are safe, I have no problem with this venue, it’s a good choice. (Y)

With that said, I don’t care where, As long as it’s Soca... I’m there!

Will I be Dreaming this year ?

Well, Dream Entertainment has announced the date of their annual party series, Dream Weekend, to the shock of many. The announcement of the date was not the only shocker, but it was revealed that this year would be different, instead of a Dream WeekEND, it’s actually a Dream WEEK… (August 1^st -6^th) This sparked a huge discussion on twitter but all arguments surrounded the thought of accommodations for that period and the cost of the season bands and persons getting time off from work.

I was a bit perturbed by both sides of the discussions. One side complained about how much it’s going to cost overall, and the other side complained about the persons complaining and that if they can’t afford it, they should keep quiet.  With every action, comes a reaction, and with that information being thrown out there, I’m sure the first thought was MORE MONEY! But on the other hand, to venture to Negril has always been a taxing journey, something that some people are used to, and some, if they can’t afford it, they avoid it. For the persons who can afford it, I think they do have a right to speak out about the reality that they will be spending much more.

Back to Dream Week, will I be making the journey this year? I am not sure at all! A lot of factors to consider when I look at it , I have to think about Accommodation + Season band + Transportation + Gas Money + Food money + Clothes money = $$$$$$ (Not for the usual 4 days, but 6/7 days). Do I really want to take up all that money, to just party for one week, when I can use that money to party in Kingston for two months. On the flip side, as someone mentioned “you cannot ascribe a dollar value to a party EXPERIENCE”, think of it as paying for a great experience & memories, which in itself, is priceless.  If you have never been to dream week/end and you’re now faced with what will be a steeper price tag, think of it as paying for an EXPERIENCE that you’ll never forget. I urge you to start saving!

The more I think of it, the more I’m leaning toward NOT going, why? I have experienced all that the Negril weekend has had to offer and I’m not sure if I want to fork out THAT MUCH money this year. It’s ‘Been there, Done that’ for me and I’m not going to go just to live up to the ‘hype’ or impress people, as seem to be the case with some persons. If I make the trip, it would just be as a getaway from Kingston, not so much for the partying.  With the added days which equals MORE MONEY for an experience I have already had, I don’t think will be dreaming this year……………………………….. BUT! That’s the same thing I said last year, and guess where I ended up? lol 

It’s still early, and all information about the week/end has not been released, so I’m waiting to get all the details, and then make my final decision based on that.

RANDOMS

Some ‘uptown’ people need to get off their ‘high horses’ and leave people alone who choose to voice their opinions on whether or not they want to fork out THAT MUCH MONEY. Not everyone is a spendthrift like you to just ‘dash weh money like dat’.

If you knew from day 1, that you could not afford going to negril... well, you SHOULD have a seat.  

I didn’t enjoy dream weekend last year... the parties were TOOO CROWDED and UNCOMFORTABLE, the waiting for a shuttle… SIGH! Do I want to spend so much more, for all that again? That’s my main concern.

Deciding where to go tonight

A Tough Decision to end the year.

Hope you all had a merry Christmas and I’m wishing you all a Happy New Year! As usual, with ending the year, comes the tough decision of, where should I ring in the New Year? Whether it’s going to Church, staying home or ringing it in at party.

Going to church is always a good way to end and start the year while some choose to stay at home with family. If you’re the one to be out partying, kudos to you, but ensure you do it in fine style. Here are the places worth attending this NYE.

French Connection

Venue: Fort Charles

Prices: Presold $3,000, $4,000 at the gate and $5,000 VIP

To be honest, French Connection was NOT on my list of parties to attend this NYE, but I’m quite surprised at the buzz I’m getting about this party. It has always been a great choice on NYE, but I thought it had outlived its relevance and that not much people would even consider it, how wrong I was!

Xclusive

Venue: Caymanas Golf Club

Prices: $5,000 presold (Female), $6,000 presold (Male) and $7,000 at the gate

One of the ELITE parties this NYE that is being TALKED about, but mostly because of its hefty price tag, being $7,000 at the gate, it’s the most expensive party for the night, one has to wonder what’s so special about this party, I must admit, it HAS piqued my interest.

Absinthe

Venue:  Palisadoes Go Kart Track

Prices:  $3,500 presold and $4,500 at the gate

This NYE, Absinthe is the place to be. Great music, great food, liquor and always a great vibe, I don’t think you can go wrong with Absinthe.

Wherever or however you decide to Ring in the New Year, I hope you have fun and celebrate in style the ending and beginning of a new year. Once again, from me to you…. Happy New Year!  

Party Reviews: Osmosis and Renaissance All White

OSMOSIS

Name Of Party: Osmosis

Date: December 23,2011

Venue: Caymanas Polo Club

Friday Night, Caymanas Polo club was the place to be for Osmosis. It was THE most talked about event for the weekend and I can honestly say, it lived up to all expectations.

I have to keep this review short, why? The party got the best of me and I’d be rambling on and on about how great it was. The overall vibe was G-R-E-A-T, and although I wouldn’t give it 10/10, because the décor was the same as last year (Nothing different), and the food court lines were too long, other than that, the music was great and the bars kept the liquor going and there wasn't much of a wait. So I’m giving it an 8/10, but, it’s on my list for one of the BEST parties of 2011. Let me not be too harsh then, I’m giving it 10/10! Even with the same decor as last year, it was still GOOD, if it's not broke, don't fix it, and after what happened last year, i should not be talking about food. So, a 10/10 for Osmosis ! *Throws hand in air*\(^__^)/

Randoms

Let me first say, I did NOTTTT behave at Osmosis!  X__X … (8) 

Last night I let the party get the best of me (8)

Uuummm… my “BATTLES” with my “FRIEND” LMAOOOO *Inside joke*

RENAISSANCE ALL WHITE 

Name of Party: Renaissance All White

Date: December 24,2011

Venue: Palisadoes Go Kart Track

Renaissance all white, I really did not plan on going and I made it clear that I was staying home and at the last minute I got a call and decided to go and surprise a friend.

Renaissance was another great party for the weekend and even though I was still TIRED from the night before, it was the type of party that could pull me out my bed and at the end of the night, I’m glad I went.

I’d give Renaissance all white a 8/10 rating. Although I had fun, the vibe was not consistent throughout; it had its highs and lows. There was a problem with the music equipment it seems, as there were times i could hear echoes of the song that was being played (coming from another sound box), wasn't pleasing to the ears at all.

Randoms

The girl in the wedding dress who took the night! Lol

The selector! CHAT TOOOOOO MUCH! I hate going to a party and hear this bag a chatting... kmt

I hope that girl wasn’t trying to walk out the party with the chair…. =/ 

A Great Party Line-up !

It’s the Christmas weekend, one to be out partying and enjoying the holidays, but also one to spend with your family and close friends. If you’re looking to P-A-R-T-Y! This is the weekend of some of the most anticipated parties of the year. Here’s what’s happening the holidays:

Friday

This is the day of one of the most anticipated party for the Christmas… OS.MO.SIS. It’s at the Caymanas polo club, $3,500 presold and $4,500 at the gate and $5,000 presold for Cabana tickets. This is a must attend party that usually lives up to expectations as it relates to FOOD, Liquor and overall vibe.

Saturday

This Christmas eve, the place to be is Renaissance all White at the Go Kart Track (Palisadoes). ?  Its $2,000 presold for women, $2,500 for men and $3,000 at the gate.  This has been THE Christmas Eve party for quite a number of years, and still going strong, so they must be doing SOMETHING right to keep patrons coming back year after year.

Sunday

Christmas Day, This is a day I usually LOVE to spend with my family and stay home and enjoy the day with them eating and drinking and celebrating Christmas. BUT! If you do see me at a party, most likely it will be at A-List @ Caymanas Golf Club. Tickets are priced at $5,000 for women and $6,000 for men.

Monday

As usual, Boxing Day is the day of two of the hottest parties for the season. Smudge and Yush.

Smudge, the day party (2pm- 10pm), is at Police Officers Club and its only $2,000 presold and $2,500 at the gate. With new title sponsor being Smirnoff Vodka, I’m looking forward to a great party.

YUSH! If you’re a fan of the music of the 90’s, you have to be at YUSH. It’s at the National Indoor sports Arena and tickets are $2,500 presold, $3,000 at the gate and $4,500 VIP (presold only). MUST ATTEND!

 

Where will I be this weekend? So far, I’m just looking at Osmosis and Yush. I’m wondering about Renaissance and Smudge, not quite sure though. What are your plans for the weekend?