Osmosis countdown begins

The countdown is truly on for one of the season's biggest parties, Osmosis!  Like the summer version, the Christmas time party is slated for The Plantation, Caymanas Estate, on Friday, December 17.

The theme is 'Master Class' and The Gleaner asked the party's promoter Mad Circle Team about the new theme and what patrons can expect. Team members Deane Shepherd, Philip Palmer and Jermaine Brown are representing Mad Circle.

• So to what or whom, does Master Class refer?

Mad Circle: Master Class refers to our endeavour to raise the bar yet again in event execution. Our entire marketing strategy was re-energised, and our imagery and decor at the event will again be taken up a notch.

• Where did the inspiration come from for Master Class?

Mad Circle: Master Class came from one of our many meetings where we try to determine what sets Osmosis apart from the rest, and what areas we need to focus on to continue to grow as an event. So Master Class was a perfect theme to represent this, where we will cement in patrons minds what the difference is between an event like Osmosis, and other parties.

• Who comes up with the design for the theme that ends up on the flyers?

Mad Circle: Well, as a team, we outline how we would want our theme represented in all areas such as print, radio, television and execution. This time around we have engaged Greenstar Universal, who has done an excellent job bringing out the 'Master Class' theme in our flyer.

• Master Class carries an 'air' about it. Are you guys particularly excited about this year's theme?

Mad Circle: Well, we are always excited about every Osmosis staging, but indeed any time we focus on a fashion/image-driven theme, it creates even more excitement. Jamaicans are extremely fashion forward and Osmosis has grown to be that marquee fashion event for every season. So yes, Master Class does raise the anticipation level for us as well as our patrons.

• Has Osmosis always had themes? If no, when did you start?

Mad Circle: Well, we have always attached some relevant tag line for each staging over the years, but we didn't really start focusing on a theme until July 2008 when we introduced Osmosis HD (a High Definition Party Experience). This staging was complete with many plasma screens and projectors, as we staged a modern futuristic edition. Getting into themes was something we had always tended to shy away from, but as we started to raise our profile as an event, it became almost a given that we had to attach a theme to continue to captivate the attention of our constantly growing patronage.

• No two Osmosis events are alike and each brings its own flavour, largely based on the theme. Obviously you won't be giving away too much, but give us a hint about what this year might hold for patrons.

Mad Circle: Well, what we can say is that you have never seen Osmosis look the way it is going to look on December 17, and you will be advised to go all out where your fashion is concerned because one of our major sponsors will be rewarding our best dressed patrons.