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It would be carnival season in the USVI if it wasn't for the coronavirus. Two weeks ago, the Consortium brought Virgin Islanders and Caribbean people around the world its first "Quarantine Jam", featuring some of St. Croix's top artists performing for a virtual audience. The event has been watched by over 300,000 people and come Saturday morning from 4:00 a.m., we're bringing yet another stress relief concert straight to your screen.
With the addition of new acts, the event is likely to go until 10:00 a.m. and you can watch it live on the Consortium's Facebook page or right here on the website.
Artists include Pumpa, BugzBugs, Adam O, Blackest, Sisa, Riiqo from Hypa Aktiv, and Toasty from Instylez Band. All of the artists will be backed by Big Band, the territory's hottest group.
Deejays include DJ Mojo, Big Kyat Sounds, Rash, Selecta Jeaucar & Deejay Blak, and SupaTrakz International.
Part of the reason for the event is to provide local artists with an outlet to reach their fans as well as to help put some money in their pockets as the coronavirus has led to the cancellation of all their gigs. It is, of course, for the enjoyment of Virgin Islanders and Caribbean people around the world as well.
And it would not be possible without sponsors who have come alongside the media house. They include Firstbank VI, our main sponsor, followed by the Dept. of Tourism's Division of Festival, a platinum sponsor of the effort, along with the VI Port Authority and Plaza Extra East. Other sponsors include Food Town, Carlos Furniture, AARP VI, Everyday Carnival and senators Myron Jackson, Donna Frett-Gregory and Novelle Francis.
The Quarantine Jouvert, which has been in the works since the day after the first quarantine event, looks to build on the successes of its predecessor by adding additional fun interactive activities. There will be $2,000 in cash giveaways through competitions, and the Consortium is inviting participation through the Zoom platform. People will be encouraged to show off their best moves from the comfort of their homes. Consortium engineers will grab the video feeds and place them into the main live feed on Facebook for everyone to see.
Like the first quarantine affair, the Quarantine Jouvert will be held at the Starlight Lounge with only participants of the event allowed into the facility. The 5-hour virtual entertainment effort, which starts at 4:00 a.m. and ends at 10:00 a.m.
"Covid-19 has disrupted the norms of people around the world. Folks are, for the most part, stuck at home and barred from enjoying leisures once taken for granted. While we've held to the belief that this too will pass, in the meantime, people need entertainment to look forward to, and we're happy to be able to facilitate some stress relief in partnership with some of the territory's biggest entertainment acts," said Ernice Gilbert, VIC founder and publisher. He added that the event is also part of the platform's contribution to Carnival VI, which was cancelled this year because of Covid-19.
