KIDDIES CARNIVAL AND SEV3N.....

Good day all!

How art thou?
Laughing to self.

It was a long Miami carnival season and I am pleased to announce that I made it!

I can also tell everyone that I TOLD YOU SO, Hurricane Matthew did not make it! I have a lot to discuss concerning the carnival season from the start which was kiddies carnival and SEV3N to SSSBlue and my official last lap, the Breast Cancer walk downtown Miami with team D'Limers. Only thing is it can get lengthy so I will divide everything into separate blogs.

First was the kiddies carnival in the day and SEV3N later that night.  Both events will be in this blog as they were both on the same day and what I have to say can fit into one blog post.

THE KIDDIES CARNIVAL

Let me begin by saying that the kiddies carnival was moved from the Sunday before the adult carnival to the day before, Saturday.  The reasons given were good and I support their decision 100%. The reason for the change was that children and adults alike who either partake or spectate at the event are not tired but damn tired.  For a child to stand up, wine, sit down, whatever it is that they do in the hot sun is torture and takes a toll on their little bodies.  Then the adults are running behind children, drinking and having a time themselves.  By the time everyone is settled on a Sunday night, it's level sleep and I'm guessing that over the years like clockwork parents were not taking their children to school on time if at all the following Monday morning. It's so bad that for the past two years the Broward County school board has made automated phone calls reminding parents that children need to come to school and to be on time the week of.  I kid you not.  I get them. So for all that didn't know, now you know.  I'm all for progression and elevation of our culture but education is key! We can't interfere with that.

The children looked lovely.  From the ones reaching me at eye level to the youngest which were the babies dressed in full costume still in hand. The amount of children that I've seen however still troubles me.  Being that the carnival was held on a Saturday opposed to the Sunday, I expected to see more children on the 'road' but I'd say it was pretty much the same attendance as the previous years.  How do we as a people expect the culture to continue if we don't involve our children?  Children are curious.  They'd ask questions about the carnival and that's a perfect opportunity to teach the youth correctly.  Not have them believe that carnival is strictly pretty mas, wine, jam and alcohol.  They should learn from now starting with the kiddies carnival.  Smh, moving on.

My children enjoyed themselves to the max for their little carnival and although I wanted them to tell me how tired they were so we could leave and I could run to SEV3N, I stayed with them until they were content.  After all, it's their day and no one could get me off the road when I'm playing my mas. 

After driving home we quickly got ready for SEV3N.

SEV3N

Driving to SEV3N's venue was funny.  We thought the GPS was wrong because we got to a residential area, it was quiet and there were high beams used as street lights were almost nonexistent and I swear I expected Freddie Krueger to jump out those bushes.  The place was dark.  Perfect location for a Halloween fete. Once we got closer and saw the cars parked all how on the people grass, we agreed that we were at the right place and as we walked the sound of sweet soca music was the confirmation.

While walking, I remembered thinking that Jamdong locked a beautiful venue.  Unfortunately time was against me with the kiddies carnival and all so I got there roughly an hour before the party ended. For that time I basically mingled with some friends but from what I heard and videos I've seen, many people had a great time.  Florida - WFYG Bandits, rocked in that pool.  Wished more people took advantage of that pool cause I was dressed for it.  The set up of the speakers could have been done differently and caused a slight disconnect between the dj's and patrons but that is something for management to consider for next year if that's the venue for SEV3N 2017.  At the end of the day, what's done is done and gone already.  SEV3N is the event to jump start the Miami carnival season and has made it's mark, it can only get better from here.

Seeing as the Miami Broward Carnival Committee has posted their line up for the MiamiBroward Carnival already, we can see that the kiddies carnival will now and forever be on the same Saturday. I'm hoping that the time of SEV3N can be revisited as I will want to attend (and enjoy) the entire fete but my children are not only an obligation but a priority.  

All in all, my Saturday was great, I expect to repeat next year. 

As for SEV3N, I'm hoping to see a pool again and more people in it!

Next up, CinCinEntertainment's Bon Ami.  The alternate welcome to Miami fete!

WHO'S GETTING WET TODAY?!

I'M NOT HAPPY!

I'M REALLY, REALLY UNHAPPY!

I am apart of a group that most of you know, love and are probably also a part of in one part of the world or another.  Big up WFYG!!!  The group that I'm in normally does a poll close to the weekend of who's going here and who's going there.  So naturally as I'm the excited one about SEV3N today, I was the one who asked who would be going.  The normal show of hands appeared but when I followed up with who intends on going in the pool, the rest of the group asked me what pool I was talking about. 

GASP!

DID ANYONE ELSE MISS THE MEMO THAT #SEV3N2016 WAS A COOLER FETE AS WELL AS A POOL PARTY?  

For the one's of you that didn't know, SEV3N WILL BE a cooler fete and there will be a pool available for use by the patrons. Unsure of why this fete wasn't promoted correctly or stressed to the public the way it needed to be but full use of the people pool is expected. From the beginning of the fete to the very end, we expect that pool to be lit!

Unfortunately the flyer that was heavily rotated is the one shown below but the original was of one with everyone inside of a pool.  I wasn't too sure if this was intentionally done or this flyer rotated more because it was more catchy but the word didn't get out as I believed it did.  After seeing this flyer, I made a phonecall to "Jamdong Management" directly.  I was assured that the pool will be open to the public and swimwear is strongly advised.  Remember, there will be prize for the woman in the sexiest swimsuit.  I already know what the prize is, so I want to see who the recipient will be and better yet what scandalous swim wear she'll be wearing.

SEV3N was created because a man named Kyle (creator of Jamdong Management) got tired of the same ole same ole.  He wanted a party with maximum vibes.   An event that would compliment chunes from yesteryear, recent and the new.  A blend of music that would leave patrons talking about the event for months. Possibly years and wanting more.  Last year was my first SEV3N and I vowed that once the Lord gave me health and strength, I was to never miss another.

For #SEV3N2016, Jamdong Management has come up with a concept that seems fitting as we are living in a female driven age.  There will be an all female cast of DJ's! 

That's what I'm talking about.  Something different.  Out the box.  Let's see what the ladies bring to the table.  In a field that is dominated by men, it should be a refreshing change. I give Jamdong their props for taking that leap of faith on these ladies.  Hope to see you tonight!

THE START OF THE MIAMI CARNIVAL EXPERIENCE.......SEVEN

My Miami carnival experience was very different to those of the past and I couldn't put my finger on it until lately.  As time goes on you may figure it out too but I assure you, it had nothing to do with Machel Montano's hiatus. One of my BEST carnivals was Trinidad and Tobago carnival in 2010. The same year Machel claimed he was sitting out the carnival due to 'spiritual reasons' when anyone with a brain in their head knew that it was a marketing strategy for the masses to purchase tickets for Ms Beyonce. Anyway, on to my Miami carnival 2015 experience.... Being that I live in the Fort Lauderdale area my Miami carnival started with SEVEN.

SEVEN is a cooler fete that I would say is for the locals.  By the time this fete comes around there are limited to no out of towners and we locals get to jump start our Miami carnival festivities without traffic and stress.  It's our goodbye to our parties with the familiar faces and a hello to the influx of visitors.

SEVEN was promoted/advertised as an outdoor cooler event from the hours of 5pm to 12am.  Jamdong, I never got the memo that the cooler fete would later become an indoor fete and that I should expect to be there until around 4am.  I went with all intent on leaving at midnight.  Apparently the hubby got the memo that there would be an after party, I however wasn't notified. Should I have known, I would have planned differently.  (Well, drank differently).  For those who went from the beginning, that was almost 12 hours of drinking and feting!!!! 

Once we arrived at the venue, you could immediately tell that everything would be taking place indoors because there were cars, not people in the parking lot.  Florida people (God bless em) are so laid back that there was no fuss or fight.   Everyone more or less found out that the cooler fete has been moved indoors on their way inside and were fine with that.  I tell you, once as nothing interfered with our coolers, what was inside them and the drinking was unscathed we remained happy campers. As far as the last minute move, there was a problem with licensing (which was no fault of the Jamdong Management Team).     

I pride myself on my honesty, so I won't come here and pretend to know which deejay played which music at what time or order.  I looked over periodically and noticed that DJ's have switched out. I made a special check-in to see which angel was playing my anthem, Kerwin Dubois' "Forget About It" and it was Survivor aside from that, there was no need.  The transition of each deejay was done with ease and I noticed nothing.  No annoying pauses and excessive talking.  Note to DJ's, we the party patrons don't mind you talking but DON'T DISRUPT THE MUSIC! Deejays in attendance were: DJ Renny and Big Bad DJ Redz.  When these two play together, they're known as "Rated R", Florida's own DJ Dr Esan, Survivor as previously mentioned and DJ Titan, who happens to be Bunji Garlin's DJ.  They kept the party moving and the vibes flowing.

For us, *the patrons the night was incident free.  While friends and family were inside taking pictures, drinking and being merry there was a small incident outside.  Apparently the owner was trying to charge ticketed patrons to enter the fete.  Management of the Jamdong Management Team was immediately notified and it was rectified almost as soon as it began.  This affected no one inside the fete but it was an incident and in true blogger fashion I had to report but it.  There was a crowd outside and it looked like a bigger deal than it was mainly because everyone always wants to know what's going on but it was a secluded incident and it was handled quickly and efficiently. 

Although it was a cooler fete, I purchased a drink for blogging purposes.  I wanted to know if they would mark up the prices for drinks because the majority of the party came with their own and the bar wouldn't be making much that night.   The drinks were normally priced, kudos!  Listen, as far as cooler fetes go, I'd say SEVEN was great!   We brought a cooler full of our own poison and loved every minute of it.

SEVEN IS A MUST GO! 

Put this on your Miami carnival list of must go to events!