The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

WHEN the music stops and the party ends, guests of Nassau’s most popular j’ouvert event will not only go home with paint residue in their hair and on their skin, but also with the knowledge that they have contributed to a good cause.

PCU Entertainment is gearing up to host “Colour Me 3: Paint Me” j’ouvert party, from which part proceeds will be donated to REACH Bahamas, a non-governmental support and advocacy group for families challenged by autism spectrum disorder and related challenges.

Jason Cartwright of PCU Entertainment said every year the group finds a local charity to donate to.

“I see a lot of people are into the ALS water challenge, which is fine, but people need to start looking at the problems we are faced here in our very own Bahamas. Autism is growing rapidly in our country and a lot of people are not aware of this. I have watched the (autistic) son of my priest grow from a baby to where he is now, and the progress he has made is remarkable. But the financing of dealing with autistic children is not cheap. It is very expensive and requires lot of work per child. My donation may not be a million dollar one, but the proceeds will go to help in the REACH foundation getting whatever materials they may need to help with this problem,” he said.

The word j’ouvert is a contraction of the French “jour ouvert”, or dawn/day break, and in the Caribbean region has come to mean a large street party.

The upcoming j’ouvert event, which local party-goers have grown to love since PCU’s first event in 2012, will kick off this Saturday at the Heritage Park beginning 5pm.

“This year we have added more colours of paint and also different water features. We have included powder and foam to this year activities, which we feel will give people a little more to do as they party the night away. We guarantee that patrons will have a good time, or I personally will refund their money back,” Mr Cartwright said.

Entertainment for the event will be provided by DJ Tank, DJ Tynes, King D-ano, Warrior Sounds and Ajay.

There will also be a special performance by Bahamian Icon Julien Believe, who will perform his hit song “Caribbean Slide” and introduce his brand new track. There will be also a live Junkanoo rush-out during the event.

In true j’ouvert form, party-goers are encouraged to dress for the occasion, bring their water guns and buckets if they wish, and have a great time drenching other attendees in paint.

“J’ouvert is unique to our culture. It is an event where one can go to a controlled safe environment, where they do not have to dress up and be free to let go and have a great time. It is not the typical social gathering and there are a lot of activities to do. From experiencing the sounds of soca and Bahamian music to having fun with paint, powder, water, foam and a host of other things all make it a fun experience,” Mr Cartwright said.

Over the past two years, he said PCU’s j’ouvert parties have been a success. In 2012, its first “Colour Me” event attracted 500 patrons, and last year more than 1,000 people turned up for the event. He anticipates this year’s party will be even bigger.

“I believe that people who experienced the first one gave a good account of what happened, which made part two a success. After people watched the DVD of last year’s event they saw what was experienced and now want to experience it for themselves,” he said.

This year’s event is sponsored by Bacardi and Patron Coffee, which guests will drink free all night long along with PCU’s very own “J’ouvert Juice”.

“I feel once people experience it they will always want to come back. It is an event where one can almost feel like a child again, especially with the adult size bouncing castles and the 240-foot slides, slip n; slides, pools and more,” Mr Cartwright said.

“This year we are also powered by a brand new energy drink on the market called Energy X which will keep people going throughout the night.”