JCDC Endorses Smirnoff Dream Weekend

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

The Smirnoff Dream Weekend to be staged during the Emancipation Weekend, has truly gone national now that the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has come on-board to endorse the event and added it to their cultural calendar.

At the launch of the increasingly popular weekend of parties on Wednesday, June 23, Michael Nicholson, events specialist at the JCDC, announced that the Dream Weekend was being endorsed by the JCDC.

This means, among other things, that the Dream Weekend will be added to the cultural calendar and will be featured on the JCDC website.

"We want to bring it into that cultural package that we offer," Nicholson explained. "This is a part of pushing brand Jamaica."

He said that too often events like Dream Weekend happen all over Jamaica and are not offered as part of how Jamaicans returning home or visitors can celebrate the country's independence. "Kingston is not Jamaica," he said. "You have to let people know that you celebrate the country's independence anywhere in Jamaica."

Grace Silvera, executive director of the JCDC believes it is time for her organisation to accept that Jamaican culture has evolved and Jamaicans don't have to flock to the national stadium or the other traditional spots to celebrate Independence Day.

Extending their vision

"We cannot see government as the sole custodian of our culture, we have to extend our vision," she said. "That is the reason why we have endorsed the Smirnoff Dream Weekend."

The Dream Weekend parties begin with Smirnoff Flavours on Friday, July 30, and that will be followed by Twisted Spiritz that same night. Daydreams follows on Saturday, July 31 with Yush capping off the party vibes that night. Xtreme Wet and Wild (Water Park) is next up on Sunday, August 1, which will be followed by Beer Vibes. The series comes to a rousing climax with Smirnoff Xclusive - Monday August 2.

To help the party faithfuls stay focussed, there will be the Smirnoff Dream Nights at Margaritaville every Saturday leading in and at Club Privilege each Friday.

Patrons will have opportunities to purchase specially discounted tickets for a limited time and vie for prizes at several premier events. Smirnoff Osmosis yesterday provided that facility while Heineken Igloo will do the same on July 18.

The Dream Weekend has also partnered with the RIU hotel chain to give Dream Band holders special discounts and incentives on rooms. RIU Negril and RIU Tropical Beach will be the two participating hotels.

Again, Margaritaville, Negril will be the redemption centre for armbands. Movement in Negril will be made easy once again as Dream buses will shuttle patrons from their hotels to the entrance of each event and back.