I Love Soca may be boasting a new venue this Boxing Day but it will still be “madness in the capital” as revellers take over Heroes’ Circle for the annual event.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer at a recent site visit, Andrew Bellamy, chief organiser behind the largely successful soca event, is promising to raise the bar even further as the event continues to cement its place as a staple on the Christmas calendar.

“I Love Soca, we’ve been searching for a venue as a lot of people will know that entertainment and the creative arts and culture industries have been expanding in the city and across Jamaica and, as such, I think there is a competitiveness to find great venues,” said Bellamy. “There is a limited amount of venues especially for an event of a certain size and a certain nature. And with Boxing Day and such a festive season, we needed to find a venue that’s ideal for us and can accommodate our numbers, has adequate parking, and is very central. We scoped out this area [Heroes’ Circle], had a conversation with the mayor, and pitched the idea that we wanted to use here as our home for the next few stagings and the idea was received well.”

Bellamy went on to share that, as he and his team get settled into their new home, the space will be transformed to reflect the usual I Love Soca ambience, with the entertainment value still packing a powerful punch.

“We’re going to transform this space and make it to our usual standard, if not better. At I Love Soca we’re known for producing a massive experience. So expect to see a massive stage, a build-out that will bring to life our theme. From the entrance to the photo op spaces, we’re clearly going to do something that’s never been done before, so you can look out for a new presentation in our new space,” he explained.

With a line-up of deejays that will be tasked to take soca lovers on a nostalgic journey back in time to others who will be churning out present-day soca hits, Bellamy says the event is guaranteed to serve up a good time.

“Come out early and you will be guaranteed four hours of just pure, uninterrupted soca, and it will be an old soca build-up getting closer to the newer years and then, following that, we’ll have a prime time segment that will lead straight into the ‘shellings’,” he said.

Raising the issue of security, Michael Phipps, assistant commissioner of police (ACP) and the current commanding officer for Area 4 of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), said ensuring patrons’ safety will be a top priority for his team.

“This is an endorsement by the security forces of this particular location as a new party venue. We see no issue in terms of noise disturbance and so on, and for far too long we have been having parties across areas where we tend to get a lot of complaints,” he said. “I don’t foresee any complaints from this particular area as we have done some assessments, and we’re satisfied that here is the proper place to host this and many other events of a similar nature.”

Robert Hill, chief executive officer (town clerk) of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) shared that, as the venue readies itself to take on even more entertainment events, the resting place of Jamaica’s national heroes will not be compromised in any way as the burial grounds are separate from the spot now designated as a hosting space. He has assured the public that the preservation and dignity of those interred in the area will not be disrupted.

BELLAMY…we’ve been searching for a venue as a lot of people will know that entertainment and the creative arts and culture industries have been expanding in the city (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

HILL…the preservation and dignity of those interred in the area will not be disrupted. (Photo: JIS)

PHIPPS… patrons’ safety will be a top priority