FLIGHT 868, THE REVIEW

Flight 868

The anticipation leading up to Flight 868 was sickening.  I was so excited that I've literally lost sleep over it..  I mean who wasn't?  Flight 868 is the first fete of the year and whether you're attending Trinidad & Tobago carnival or not, it's a big deal!

OK, I WAS LATE! The planned time of arrival was midnight but leave it to me to only be parking by minutes to 1am.  Never the less, the line wasn't long and it was moving so technically I was on time.

Walking inside gave me hope.  There were about three people outside which in my mind means everyone was inside jamming.  When I got inside, that heat greeted me first but wasn't overbearing.  I saw some familiar faces and did the normal meet and greet. The music playing was okay but it wasn't anything that would make me stop an buss a wine.  The vibes just wasn't there but after all, it was within minutes of stepping in the place.

After finding my 'spot', one of the first things I noticed was the sound.  The music sounded distorted.  I'm not an expert, so I can not tell what the problem was but even I could tell that something was drastically wrong.  When coming to a fete, the music system plays a major part in how we respond to the music.  Take for instance, at Flight 868 The Return Fete last year many of the DJ's played on a system that wasn't tuned correctly yet when Miami's Dream Team came on to play, they immediately cranked up the volume (or whatever it was that they did) and the vibes turned up right along with it.  Don't get me wrong, the volume was loud enough but it sounded bad.

Again listen, don't send me any emails or messages.  I have nothing against any of the DJ's that were carded for the night. I actually showed up JUST for THEM but while I was in the fete, I didn't quite understand how it was a Flight to 868. Flight 868 as in Trinidad and Tobago right?  Trinidad and Tobago CARNIVAL at that correct? I couldn't understand how the fete was to prepare me for Trinidad and Tobago carnival.  I was confused.  That confusion turned to extremely annoyed.  There was a little back in time session that I partially enjoyed and that's only because of my love for soca music but let's not get it twisted, weren't we all at this fete to get familiar? At 3am there should be NO excuse as to why I haven't heard ONE SINGE, SOLITARY SOCA from 2018.  What popped my lid off was the reggae.  So that's what we're doing?  We're going to Trinidad and Tobago.....  For carnival......  Then we hear at the very least 40 minutes of reggae/dancehall music.  Again, don't get me wrong.  I'm a lover of Caribbean music but there is a time and place.  This was NOT the time and Flight868 was NOT the place.

As previously stated, I know for a FACT that each of those DJ's have and know 2018 soca music the question is WHY wasn't it played?  The other question is when it did play, why was it taken off so quickly?  I can answer that question here and with a previous blog post written about a year and a half ago.  You can catch that blog post by clicking RIGHT HERE.  I've also been enlightened, it's not  always how you think it is on the other side.  When Infamous was discussing what should and should not be played that night, it was agreed upon that there should be new music played HOWEVER they also had to express to him that they DO have what he's looking for but they will have to feed off the feterans. As I've said they ALL have the new music but when anything new was dropped only a handful of us began to actually enjoy ourselves.  I saw that because I was looking for it.  I was looking at the crowd get happy to hear the new Kes, we all started to slow wine then rock an come een but after the 'commercial new songs' were done, so was the attention of the crowd.  From the time a song that wasn't already into heavy rotation down here people LITERALLY stood up like statues.  1.  It pissed me off because that is just disrespectful to one of the most talented LIVE DJ's on the planet.  HE IS FIRE!  Whether you like him as a person or not, he can be thrown into any musical realm an mash up the dance and 2. What the whole mudda ass they stood up waitin on PALANCE or FULL EXTREME?
                                                                             Of course they were.... and that was the straw that broke the camel's back for me.  Freeze played maybe 5 new soca chunes and lost the crowd.  I mean they were lost. At that point I was over it.  My poor friend didn't want me to leave and even got me to wine low but after I came up, I cleared it.  I was told that they eventually played the new Machel an Blue Boy (Super Blue) and I didn't care.  I was still happy with my decision to leave.

Once you stay inside of The Warehouse, it is a sweat box and it was that night that Infamous made the decision to permanently move both his Send Off and Return of 868 to another venue.  The party has become too big and has run it's course with the venue.  An YES, I know it. The venue will be a much better fit than Warehouse but you will have to see for yourselves come February 24th which also happens to be my birthdaaaaay!

(THIS, was too much clothes to stay inside with all night)

All in all.
I was disappointed with Flight868.  I've expressed my concerns with Infamous and I appreciate the fact that he not only took time to LISTEN to all concerns I addressed but was proactive! He was already able to tell me the changes put in place so that Flight868, The Return can be a success.  My stance on South Florida fetes hasn't changed.  It is the PEOPLE that make the party.  If you aren't willing to accept change, you will be left in the cold.  Each Caribbean nation that adds to the soca genre has approximately one years time with their music after that time is up, no it is not time to dash the songs away but when that year is up EXPECT to now hear new music.  There is another year coming up! A new Soca Monarch.  A new song for the Steel Pan players to pong and a new Road March.  How can every other state and county get this but Florida?  The ones who are closest to the Caribbean?  At the rate South Florida going, promoters will have to either have age restrictions or just start throwing all inclusive events because no one is actually having a good time.  While the true soca lovers appreciate it all, we understand that there is time and place and the younger ones want to hear the same 20/25 chunes over and over.  

FLIGHT 868, SOUTH FLORIDA'S CARNIVAL SEND OFF

This party is TROUBLE!

Every time I attend this fete, there is always some bacchanal.

There have been fashion feux pas that have changed the dynamic of friendships..
There have been fashion don'ts that have been ignored that left people looking fish fry ready in foil paper..  Then there have been those who've ignored their limits of alcohol which now makes them afraid and literally cringe to attend another 868 event BUT WILL lol.  It's the beginning of the year crack that keeps us going back!

Flight 868 is always the first must go event of the year and the aftermath is always entertaining (to those who play it safe and stay in their lane) and this year it will not disappoint.  My fellow feterans, I urge you to get your tickets ASAP if you haven't done so already because I don't think everyone fully understands the level of DJ godliness that is about to bless The Warehouse on the 26th of January!

It will be hosted by one of my fav's, the Original DJ Shakiera who's a natural riot on any given day.  Out of BCM (Bad Company Music) AND fellow 'Pull Out Boy', Sonic Boom! Lord Jesus.... Infamous could have stopped there but no, he added the leader of the Soca Musical Creep Squad aka 'Pull Out Boy's' Mr Freeze International!  Although I absolutely love DJ House Arrest and respect what I've heard (musically) from DJ J Rocca, I am going FOR my Pull Out Boy's as they will be giving me my entire life for 2018.....

For those of you who love allyuh "last minutry", the tickets are $10.  $10 will neither make you or break you.  Go get your tickets NOW at Eventbrite or your neighborhood Roti Shop.  If you haven't purchased your ticket as yet, you can also consider getting your 2 for $20 deals.

Hope to see you there!

FLIGHT 868, THE RETURN FETE.............THE AFTERMATH

Good day all.  Hope all is well and you've had an eventful and safe weekend. I know of someone who fell asleep at the wheel after leaving The Return Fete and now has a broken arm. Thank God he only broke his arm and he still has his life!  My prayers are up for him to have a speedy recovery.

Let me first say that Infamous must have been lost when he found this venue.  The amount of twists, turns and different highways taken to get there was unbelievable but trust when I say that this was a perfect outdoor venue....the venue was perfect.  It's far enough behind God's back that the music bothers no one but wasn't far enough that the police couldn't find it (I will get into that later).

I dislike free pass events with a passion because all the people who either can't afford to get in the fete or rather spend their money on liquor rather than entry cause huge lines by the door so I chose to either get there before the rush or way after.  So after getting to the fete at or about 1:30am I had already missed DJ Rocca and most of Sonic Boom. Shortly after meeting and greeting everyone, Sonic was done which sucked because I was really looking forward to hearing more than I did of him and expected him to play at least third. Wrong. He played second, Milo Myles played third and last was Dream Team.

When Mr Myles was playing I felt let down.  I was expecting him to tear down the place and he just didn't do it for me.  What made matters worse, when he saw that he was ineffective, he pulled out the trump card and played "Full Extreme".... that was a sucker move and he lost many cool points.  I understand that South Florida is a tough crowd because musically many feterans don't know their ass from their elbow but as a DJ, there should be a plan for obstacles such as that. He just shut down Soca Paradise last month.... so what happened? I've never heard him play prior to Friday night but I've done my research and heard he's a really good DJ but I guess things happen and no one is perfect. Next up was Dream Team.

The following of the young crowd that Dream Team usually has wasn't present and I was quite interested in how that would be handled.  When you know your crowd, you know what they like.  This crowd was mixed and I'd definitely say more mature.  So... Steelie Back touched the mic.  He immediately asked the sound man to crank the volume.  As a DJ himself, he knew that the volume levels being used wasn't reaching the depths of our souls the way it could have.  The man stood in up in the fete and obviously listened to the set before him and observed the crowd.  Notice, he STOOD and observed.  As a man serious about his craft, he wasn't feting but observing. Dream Team came on an M-A-S-H U-P Flight 868 you hear me?!  The vibes were on 1,000!  They started with music from then, to now and at no time did they play "Full Extreme".  They didn't need to use the UR trump card, as I now call it and they had us captivated from beginning to end.  The vibes were so good Mr Steelie Back said that he was going until 6am!!

While playing the hits from when, we got into what I can safely call the water segment.  Hear nah, Steelie asked for someONE to bring two bottles of water.  You know you're doing something right when you ask someONE and A THIRD OF THE PARTY rush the bar for water because they know what kind of vibes were to come.  When Sinister dropped Iwer's "Take Ah Bathe", it was madness! All bets were off as chune after chune was water.  It became an impromptu wet fete.  As cold as the water was, no one cared.  We were having a damn good time.

(Army Boyz Clem and myself)

Dream Team and patrons alike were ready to jam til 6 but Babylon was at the front door by 4.  They weren't having it. Steelie Back respectfully requested that they play one more chune and again, they get some more points because instead of closing out the fete with the expected "Full Extreme", they closed the fete with "Buss Head"! *Don't get me wrong, it's a damn good song but let's not do to "Full Extreme" what was done to "Palance".  Please and thanks.

Dream Team allyuh take win!
Infamous, yuh take win!  The party was on! Your bar was well priced and bottle specials were reasonable. Although I personally hate the system, your patrons benefit from the free entry once they arrive on time.  I liked that after a certain hour you didn't play greedy.  You dropped the price drastically for people to come in and I know this only because the hubby got there minutes to 3.  We really enjoyed ourselves and it's fetes like these that South Florida needs.  Kudos to you!

As time progresses, a link will be added to the full gallery.

Infamous, I'm now waiting on LEEEO! 

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK!!!!

Welcome back from Trinidad carnival all!

It was an excellent carnival with the exception of the Fantasy hiccup from what I've seen [and heard] and I for one am happy that every single person that I know that has traveled has made it back safely without detention despite the rumors.

So now that you've all returned, I trust everyone is familiar with all 2017 soca and we can actually PLAY it? No more blank stares or statues. I hope you've gotten to know soca as a genre and from the entire Caribbean...

Anyways, all roads lead to Miami tomorrow night as Flight 868, THE RETURN FETE will be the flex. With what Infamous Empire Entertainment gave us for the send off, Friday night can't come quick enough! The send off was one of the few times that made me feel like booking a ticket for Trinidad carnival.  Trust me.  

The line up for The Return fete is going to be sick!

• Milo Miles, who's excellent reputation precedes him as being MAD will be coming straight from Brooklyn.
• A personal favorite Sonic Boom of Bad Company Sounds who in my opinion, is one of Team Soca's energy Gods!  
• There's J Rocca another great DJ out of Team Soca who'd reach further in the business if........never mind. Great DJ!
• Lastly, the name Dream Team speaks for itself which consists of DJ's Steelie Back and Sinister.

All hosted by 

DJ SHAKIERA!!!

As previously mentioned this fete will be in Miami but don't be discouraged as it's at a venue named The Hideout.  The Hideout is an outdoor venue with concrete!!! So heels are safe ladies. The address is 2560 Service Road, Opa-Locka, Florida 33054.

There will be free entry before 12:30 with a free pass that can be downloaded at THIS LINK.  As seasoned feterans we already know how this free entry with pass link goes so my suggestion is to either arrive early or walk with your cover at the door.  I hope to see you all there!!!

For any and all inquiries you can contact (754) 400 0712

IS YOUR TICKET BOOKED FOR FLIGHT 868?

This flight is like no other.  Flight 868 leaves from Terminal 1 at The Warehouse conveniently located at 3500 NW 15th Street, Lauderhill, Florida and promises to be a nonstop flight straight to the ultimate vibes of Trinidad Carnival 2016.  

Early check-in is available but not mandatory 

(see below)  

For those who suffer from pre flight jitters, there will be Puncheon shots available.  Once you've received your passports, boarding passes and Puncheon shots, there will be specific rules that must be adhered to which are:

• NO BORING PEOPLE. *BORING PEOPLE MAY BE ESCORTED OFF THE FLIGHT
• NO QUIET ALLOWED.  *QUIET PEOPLE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
• NO STANDING IN ONE SPOT. *ONLY THE STAGE CAN DO THAT
• YOU MUST DRINK WHATEVER YOUR FRIENDS BUY FOR YOU
• ALL STRESS MUST BE LEFT AT THE GATE PRIOR TO BOARDING
• BE PREPARED TO DANCE, A LOT
• DESIGNATE A SOBER DRIVER, PRIOR TO BOARDING THE FLIGHT

BUCKLE UP

AND ENJOY THE RIDE!

WHO'S GOING TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CARNIVAL?

So with Christmas just wrapping up and the extremely short carnival season people are gearing up to head to Trinidad for the greatest show on earth!! Sighs, as I will be missing it...BUT I can get to the infamous carnival send off.  The Official Trinidad carnival send off fete in the Ft Lauderdale/Miami area is FLIGHT 868.  Needless to say this infamous fete is brought to you by Infamous Empire Ent. and the fete will be on the 22nd of January, 2016.  This is a must go!!!

CLICK HERE FOR EARLY BIRD TICKETS!!!

This fete is at the Warehouse so expect nothing but electrifying soca, vibes and energy!!!!  This has been a sold out event for the last 3 years and advance tickets have gone on sale TODAY!!!! Advance tickets can be found for $10 at any of the leading Caribbean outlets or on EventBrite's Website. 

My suggestion is to get them while they last at the $10 price as this is a MUST ATTEND EVENT. It gives those like us who are not going to Trinidad for carnival a good vibe while it gives those who are going, a taste of what is yet to come.

 HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

THE AFTERMATH OF LEO, THE EVENT

The review of this event has been long overdue but here it goes...

Getting into the event was  a breeze, there was a short line, no fuss or fight.  Everything went smoothly. The crowd was now forming and excitement was in the air.  I mean, where else can you see or hear Private Ryan for $10? (if you purchased an early-bird ticket).  Surprisingly, couple people asked if Private Ryan had played yet which led me to believe that these people were new to Leo as Private Ryan is carded annually for this event.  That to me was a good thing because that meant that new people and fresh faces are coming out to events. 

Two bands that were supposed to display costumes that night, Generation X and Wassi Ones. I was informed that Generation X cancelled because they were pretty much sold out (as their band launched pretty early) which left Wassi Ones alone to display costumes.  Giselle "The Wassi One" could not make the event, so they got the shyest person in the whole party to announce the models coming on to the stage..... Me. The Wassi Ones models modeled sections Bright Africa, Dragon, Energy, The Fancy Indian, Jab Molassie and The Pierrot Grenade. DJ Dr. Esan did an excellent job playing an assortment of music for each model to dance to  as there was no actual plan.  The highlight of the show was when DJ Esan played Big Red's "No Behaviour" (better known as When We Touch Down) for the model modeling Bright Africa.  The energy that she came on the stage with combined with that chune literally 'shell dong' the place as she excited the crowd with her 'behavior'.

Admittedly, I didn't pay attention to the 'performances' of the deejays present or who actually played only because I was busy getting ready to announce the models.  The job was given to me while at the party. What I did notice between the hustle and bustle was that the crowd wasn't really moving.  Everyone was basically standing around, drinking and enjoying each others company.  Not bored but dancing conservatively.  It seemed as if everyone was waiting for either the live costume display or Private Ryan to play music.

When the intro for Private Ryan played, the crowd started to cheer and the atmosphere was noticeably different.  The music selection was different, it wasn't what everyone is used to hearing in South Florida.  It was a welcomed change of pace that the crowd noticed and responded to well.

Of what I did experience, I actually loved.  The bartenders moved quickly so the drinks kept coming (I needed the drinks to flow to work up the nerve to get on that stage).  Although I didn't take advantage of it, there were hookahs available.  There were no mix ups with bottle service.  It was incident free - everyone handled their liquor appropriately and there were no fights.  The Sweet Hand Kathy team saved my life with their food afterward.  (We won't discuss how they gladly served Private Ryan before me knowing that he purposely cut directly in front of me in the line) lol.  It's a cool scene, our conversation has lead to an upcoming blog which will be coming soon!  My only complaint with Leo 2015 is a personal pet peeve.  If there is a dress code, patrons should follow it.  Who can appreciate a glow party with only half the dance wearing white?  This has nothing to do with Infamous Empire but directed to patrons.  It was a red and white party, what happened?

All in all, Leo is a party dedicated to all the Leo's of the zodiac and most importantly to celebrate the birthday of Anthony of Infamous Empire.

So again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANTHONY!!!  Now, would I attend this party again?  Absolutely!  Next year, *once God spare life, there will be another year of life to be blessed with.  I'd like to however get the full experience of Leo next year, without work and actually enjoy myself with friends. I may not have had as good a time that I would have wanted (due to me having to work/fill in) but I couldn't stop hearing about the good time that each of my friends had with my husband while I was missing in action.  Even IF it was an event I didn't care to attend again, they've made it clear that they'd be heading there with or without me for Leo 2016.