POND ISLAND:--- TelCell-sponsored Night of the Hitmakers event will be making history on the 45th anniversary of St. Maarten's premier carnival event April 25.
According to president of the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) Michael Granger, for the first time in recent history, promoters, Xtratight Entertainment, will be permitted to keep live performances and a public dance going all the way to the early hours of Jouvert morning when the first revelers leave for the traditional Jouvert jump-up.
"Before now revelers would have to leave the Festival Village after the shows and go home or head elsewhere before gathering again for the Jouvert Jump-up hours later," said the SCDF President during a press conference at the Festival Village yesterday to introduce the main sponsors of the TelCell Night of the Hitmakers carnival opening event.
"This year Xtratight has the green light to keep the party going at the Festival Village up until the trucks and revelers are ready to leave for Jouvert," continue Mr. Granger.
"It's historic. It's something carnival revelers have been asking for for many years and since this is a special 45th anniversary we have decided to give it a try," he said.
Mr. Granger also announced that Xtratight Entertainment has also been granted permission to repeat last year's hugely successful "largest dancefloor in the Caribbean" theme when the entire Festival Village will be transformed into a massive dance stage for carnival party-goers.
"Others have requested permission to open up the Festival Village for their dance parties, but this year we're only allowing this for Xtratight Entertainment," said Mr. Granger while congratulating the promotion company's owner, Berteax "Mr Rude" Fleming and wife Chaska.
Thursday's press conference introduced the event's main sponsor TelCell, represented by Chief Commercial officer (CCO) Brian Mingo, and co-sponsors, Fun Miles, represented by Agnetha Huitinga; Insel Air, represented by Sharon Vassell and SEL Maduro, represented by Natasha Ortega. Other sponsors include: Heineken, Captain Morgan rum, Oyster Bay Resort and Seaboard Marine.
Mr. Mingo said the promoters of this year's event are providing a line up of world class hitmakers including: Cache Royal, Claudius Phillips, Krosfyah, the Band Control, Shadowman and for the old school music fans, the return to St. Maarten of the Dragonaires.
"Mr. Rude" said, coming out of the recent Aruba Carnival, there is a big buzz about the performance of Aruba's 2014 Caiso King, Shaun Phillips and Road March King, Claudius Philips, during the TelCell Night of the Hitmakers event.
"This is a must-see performance of "Cheezy"," said "Mr. Rude".
TelCell Night of the Hit Makers will be staged on April 25, 2014 at the Festival Village. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 on the day of the show.
Telem Press Release