Shanny-VAL Diaries: Iz A Vagabond (My UWI CARNIVAL Experience)

Carnival in Jamaica has come & gone. Unfortunately, I didn't get to play pretty mas with Bacchanal Jamaica but luckily I did get to experience UWI Carnival.

I'm In Love With The Cocoa Jouvert

"Carnival is defined as an event where many people gather to celebrate something."

Jamaica's Carnival season runs from January to April.

My love affair with  Carnival started when I was younger. I last played mas in Kiddies Carnival when I was in first form in 1997. At that time, there were two bands "Jamaica Carnival" & "Bacchanal Jamaica". When Jamaica Carnival ended I took a sort of hiatus from soca but as faith would have it almost 10 years later I rekindled my love affair.

I love playing pretty mas but my heart is devoted to the "dutty" ways of Jouvert! I love the colours & the vibes of Jouvert, so it is no surprise that it is my favourite part of the whole Carnival festivities.

This season, I got of to a late start but I know I picked the right event to start with...Sunset Cocoa Jouvert.

COLORful Musings

In February, my good friend Nicole invited me to join her at Color Festival. I had seen ads floating around Facebook about it but I didn't really pay much attention until Nicole invited me. I immediately bought my ticket online and began planning for what I assumed would be a fabulous time! It was my first festival of this nature.

FABULOUS was a drastic understatement!

The event was held on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at Hope Gardens.

Lately I have found that I prefer Sunday parties to Saturday night for quite a few reasons:

1. I cannot stand Sunday vibes....it is a bit too slow for my hyperactive personality. I usually end up sleeping away the afternoon (except when I have an exam).

2. Sunday events start and end early

3. It totally makes me forget Monday Blues.

4. They are usually laidback and don't require much high maintenance.

I am getting a bit carried away and that is a whole other blog post!

Color Festival started at 4PM but my friends and I did not get there until 7 PM. My online ticket came with 5 bags of powders and a hassle free entrance line. Next Color Festival I am definitely buying my ticket online because it guarentees more party time. I anticipated the line up. Apart from the EDM DJ, I knew what to expect from the line up. Kurt Riley always gets me dancing no matter the genre he is playing; Richie D I always heard about but I finally saw him in action at UWI Carnival & I was instantly a fan, he really brought Miami sexy to Color Festival; & DJ Sanjay and soca were meant for each other...

DJ Kyle DeSouza did not disappoint. He kept the EDM hits coming nonstop! I felt like I was in Ibiza!

I danced until my feet hurt! I am an avid music lover and I don't limit myself to genres. The promo promised Soca, EDM & Pop and the DJ's delivered. Of course being in Jamaica, the dancehall had to find itself in the mix and it was well appreciated. The crowd was very energetic and I think the DJs fed off that vibe and vice versa.

My only issue with the event was the bar. The wait was too long. I hope the bar situation improves at the next staging of the event.

My Outfit was simple...A white crop top, a pair of white cut off shorts, boots and a head band made by my talented friend Trudy. My only accessory was my pair of silver hoop earrings.

Me & Nicole