Xtratight Entertainment and Kalaboom Events have partnered up together to host Oualichi Festival “SXM Best Weekend” on July 26-29, a weekend designed to promote and showcase SXM culture, heritage and music, while creating a top notch quality experience that attracts locals and tourists alike.
The aim is to be one of the leading festivals akin to the Jazz Festival in St. Lucia, Summer Fest in Jamaica, and Creole Festival in Dominica. The festival kicks off on Thursday, July 26, with an all-white welcome party on Captain’s Hodge Wharf. The soirée will be hosted by Gee Money and Sarolia Ada, with performances by artists such as Christian Amor (live jazz), Malaika Maxwell, Shawn J and Gunslingers Steel Pan.
The Festival Village will come to life on Friday, July 27 – this year marks the seventh edition of the fun and energetic friendly rivalry “Soca vs Dancehall”. The event will be hosted by two of the most dynamic MCs – Suppa Kidd and Dutty Sham. Will Soca defend their title or will Dancehall capture the crown?
Attendees are encouraged to wear yellow if they love soca and green if they love dancehall. International acts, such as dancehall sensation Mr. Vegas and the king of bacchanal Kerwin du Bois, will be performing live with the island’s best DJs, including DeejBlaze, Dj Lil R, Mixmaster Pauly and Dj Fabulous.
Soca vs Dancehall is followed by the Mélange Concert on Saturday, July 28, with Youth Waves, Kes the Band and the legendary Barrington Lévy as some of its headliners performing their hits such as Follow the Leader, Hello and Everyone Falls in Love. On July 29, the Oualichi festival comes to a close on Happy Bays Beach with Oualichi ‘Love’ Beach Party and will include scintillating performances from Red Eye Crew, Oswald, Kenyo Baly, who will be sharing the stage with Shal Marshall and the Big Band. Early bird weekend passes are available for US $50 and regular weekend passes are $55. Weekend passes provide savings of $20-$25.
Mr. Vegas
Clifford Smith got the nickname Mr. Vegas from his schoolmates who thought he’d high-kicked the soccer ball like a Vegas showgirl. The dancehall singjay (someone who combines his singing with rapping or toasting) started by singing cover versions of popular Jamaican tunes with little success. Despite being named after showgirls, Mr. Vegas was known as a tough one to the locals. When he went to a local producer’s house to acquire a master tape he felt was rightfully his, the producer was ready for Vegas, with a crowbar. One hit to the jaw meant Vegas was sipping food through a straw for six weeks.
Hearing Beenie Man's "Who Am I" one day during his recovery made Vegas head to the doctor and demand that all his facial hardware be removed immediately. It freed his jaw somewhat, and Vegas headed to producer Jeremy Harding's studio and demanded a chance at the riddim Beenie had used. The rest is history and Mr. Vegas is an internationally known performer.
With more than 30 entertainment acts from around the region highlighting SXM’s best over a period of four days, the Oualichi Festival “SXM Best Weekend” is poised to set a new standard in Caribbean festivals. Both Xtratight Entertainment and Kalaboom Events have experience in coordinating the most talked about and successful events on the island and understand the power of entertainment. This collaboration has facilitated partnerships with Heineken, Air Caraibes, Tourist Office (French side) and Genesis Music Group.
Tickets are available at Abu G in Madame Estate, Tech Hub, The Mailbox (Simpson Bay), Domino’s Pizza (both locations), Picture This Studio (Miss Lalie Center), SOS Radio, Carl N Sons (Cole Bay), Adolufus Building and Promo Car. For more information, call 1 (721) 559-3513/522-7841.
