The waterfront of Charlotte Amalie is set to ignite with energy, color, and music in the early hours of Thursday, May 1 as DJ Avalanche’s Soka Elements returns for its second year. Billed as “The Ultimate J’ouvert Warm-Up Experience,” the event promises a high-octane celebration of Caribbean culture, bridging the hours before the official start of Carnival’s J’ouvert morning.
First launched in 2024 to critical acclaim, Soka Elements was conceived by internationally acclaimed DJ Avalanche as a cultural solution to local regulations requiring that J’ouvert begin after 6:00 a.m. due to safety considerations, according to a recently issued press release. In its debut year, the event brought hundreds to the St. Thomas waterfront, creating what organizers describe as a “neon-drenched playground of paint, powder, water, and pure vibes.”
“We knew people were tired of sitting around waiting for the sun to rise. That’s not J’ouvert,” said DJ Avalanche, born Gregory Hodge. “We made Soka Elements to bring that real energy back—to dance through the night, feel the powder, the paint, the water, and watch the sunrise in motion.”
Soka Elements 2025 will run from 1:00 a.m. to sunrise and embraces the theme “Shipwrecked: Lost in Paradise.” Organizers encourage participants to dress in “pirate gear or castaway swag” as they prepare to be doused in paint and powder amid the infectious rhythms of Carnival music.
The event features all-inclusive drinks, a sunrise breakfast, and performances by a dynamic roster of local and regional artists. Soca performers slated to hit the stage include Th3rd, Sisa, Hunter, Asa Bantan, and Trilla-G, with more surprise guests expected. The musical backdrop will be curated by a lineup of top DJs, anchored by DJ Avalanche himself. The event’s MC, Patrick the Hypeman from Trinidad, is known for his charismatic stage presence and ability to maintain peak crowd energy through dawn.
Soka Elements is produced by Muse Meetings and Events and supported by a slate of sponsors including Coca-Cola, Presidente, Cruzan Rum, Delly Deck, D’Usse, Viya, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. It has quickly grown into more than just a party—it’s become a cultural statement and a Carnival staple.
“Last year was pure magic. This year, we’re turning it all the way up—more rhythm, more color, more Carnival,” said DJ Avalanche. “Come get lost in paradise with us.”
Avalanche, a St. Thomas native, has been a fixture in Virgin Islands entertainment for over two decades. He was honored in 2024 with the official Key to the Virgin Islands by the 35th Legislature for his significant impact on music and Carnival culture. His production credits include the 2023 Trinidad Carnival Road March-winning track “Hard Fete” by Bunji Garlin—the first time a Virgin Islands-produced song achieved that distinction.
Soka Elements has not only filled a logistical void in the Carnival schedule but has also emerged as a powerful expression of Caribbean unity and creativity. With anticipation running high, organizers invite revelers to register now at www.sokaelements.com and prepare for a foreday morning like no other.
