Socaphiles came out in droves last Friday for the final seasonal staging of Bacchanal Fridays at Mas Camp, featuring headliner Destra Garcia.

Under the theme Treasures of Kashmir sponsored by Digicel, patrons streamed into the venue in high volumes, ready to party. Dancing to the soca beats delivered by The Party Animal — DJ Kurt Riley patrons enjoyed themselves in high anticipation of what would be an exceptional show.

“I am so excited to see Destra,” said Marsha Tanner as she Palanced to the music coming out of the speakers, with flag in hand.

Inside a packed house, the larger than life fluffy diva and MC for event, Miss Kitty stepped onstage to welcome all in attendance with her distinct ability to induce fits of laughter. Noting that this was the perfect venue to see who could move their waists to a bevy of soca rhythms the fluffy diva then called members of the audience onstage to display their wining skills, and also gave away t-shirts and credit to Digicel customers.

Guests then received an added surprise when the L’Acadco dancers dressed in colourful Middle Eastern garb performed an up-tempo dance for the masses. At the end of the performance Miss Kitty then challenged one of the dancers to a wine off, much to the crowd’s content.

Then entered dancehall crooner Busy Signal, who was a great opener for Destra’s set singing notable hits to an appreciative crowd.

With the announcement that it was time for Destra, fans eyes grew wider when her dancers took to the stage with numerous acrobatic movements as Destra could be heard over the mic singing. Stepping onstage in a Moulin Rouge creation as the crowd roared her name, the soca singer looked extraordinary after having a baby merely two months prior.

“This Jamaica show is my first performance for the carnival season, I had to be here because Jamaica the land of reggae is also a land of soca,” said Garcia before continuing her up-tempo set which included hits such as, Max it up, Fly, Whey Yu Wha, Bacchanal and Bonnie and Clyde and I Dare You, as she also brought individuals onstage to test their wining skills. And proving she had not lost her dancing steps due to her break from the stage she danced to Saddle, toe to toe with her dancers. She proved ‘ I am your queen’.

Singing and dancing to most of her music catalogue Destra thanked Jamaica for having her and stepped off stage while the crowd stood in amazement trying to soak in the grand show they had just witnessed, before getting back into the revelry as DJ Kurt Riley picked up the tempo yet once again with music.

Asked why she chose Bacchanal Jamaica’s, Bacchanal Fridays to make her first debut for the carnival season Destra said, “I love Jamaica and the fans, they never let me down and appreciate soca so much. So once Bacchanal Jamaica gave me the opportunity to come, I knew I had to do it. And look how great it turned out.”