A section of the crowd enjoying themselves at 'White Out'

Supreme Ventures Jamaica Carnival 2004 got off to a grand start with its first big fete 'White Out' at Risky Business in Negril on Friday night. Visitors and locals packed the party spot, jumping and waving to the pulsating beat of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires. From old favourites like Get Something And Wave to the new hits out of Trinidad and Aruba, the band kept the party going 'till morning.

Fresh from Trinidad Carnival, Oscar B and newcomer Keisha, demonstrated the newest dance moves, Jumby and Craziness, and sang a string of new soca hits as well as old Jamaican favourites done soca style. The crowd went wild with their version of Sammy Dead and Passion, but what put the icing on the cake was the duo's rendition of Elephant Man's Pon di River, Pon di Bank.

Keeping with the theme, many revellers wore white and got down and dirty to the music which was extraordinary.

DJ Sunshine from Irie FM took to the turntables, after the band took a break, where she unleashed some jumping Reggae hits from Half Pint's Greetings to Sean Paul's Gimme The Light, she put her spin on the first Jamaica Carnival 2004 event. Grammy award-winning artist Marion 'Lady Saw' Hall, as well as several MTV big wigs, were in the house to soak up some good music, fun and entertainment.

When the band returned to the stage, there was even more delightful pandemonium as Oscar B had the crowd obeying his every command, running back and forth across the beach and doing some of the most outrageous dance moves. Before midnight the venue was solidly packed with patrons gyrating and jumping to the bubbly sounds.

Founder of Jamaica Carnival, Byron Lee, was in high spirits and was delighted with the huge turnout.

"This has to be the largest ever Jamaica Carnival event in the west. I am very happy with the turnout and with the support from our sponsors," Lee said. He went on to say that Supreme Ventures coming on board as title sponsor has been a significant boost to Carnival and this year will see an internationalisation of Carnival, incorporating several genres of music.

Hundreds of visitors from the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and as far away as Australia joined with the Jamaicans to ensure that Jamaica Carnival got off to a rocking start at Risky Business.

Supreme Ventures' Sonia Davidson said that bigger and better things are in store as they move island-wide.
"We are on board because we know the economic benefits that Carnival can spin off and the benefits to tourism were clearly evident tonight," she said.

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