300 strong: Roman invasion at A.M.BUSH - Caesar's Army debuts alternative J'Ouvert to Jamaica

Garfene Grandison, Assistant Lifestyle Coordinator

The Romans came, they saw and they conquered! An A.M.BUSH was launched on Saturday morning, April 26. Caesar's Army soldiers took over the streets for the first of its kind to be brought to the Jamaica shores from Trinidad.

The exclusive 300-strong patrons, all geared up in their red Caesar's Army tees, were shuttled from the meeting point to an unknown location where several trucks awaited the party patrons.

The music was pulsating as patrons headed to the bar and went right into the dancing frenzy, as the infectious soca beats turned each patron into a puppet as they danced uncontrollably without missing a beat. The desolate location at the Kingston Polo Club came alive as the euphoria intensified, as the paint made its way into the revelry.

As they continued to dance and 'get on bad' the hours rolled by and pretty soon the sun began to peak over the horizon. This did little to stir the patrons as they continued to bask in the soca vibrations. It was time to hit the road for the street parade, but very few knew what was in store for them. The morning light cascaded over the venue showing fields situated on both sides with a few horses grazing in the distance. That sight seem to have intensified the vibe as this was all new to the Jamaican soca massive.

surprise performance

Then the powder came out. The blues, pinks and purples permeated the air as the patrons started to disperse powder in every direction, and even those who were trying to stay away were brought into the fray. Then came the announcement that Soca King Machel Montano was in the building for a surprise performance. If one thought that the patrons were showing their 'worst behaviour', that notion was quickly erased as countless women started screaming while trying to scramble their way on to the moving trucks. Others were content to enjoy the water showers on the waiting trucks while still frolicking to Montano's performance.

The rising sun, music, moving trucks, paint, powder, drinks, breakfast and sheer revelry were all
elements of this unique experience that created quite a spectacle for
the jouvert party patrons.

A.M.BUSH is an
extremely popular and highly anticipated event in Trinidad and Tobago
Carnival. This year, for the first time, Caesar's Army brought the
alternative J'Ouvert concept to Jamaica.

Caesar's Army was
formed in 2006 by Jules Sobion as a collaborative force with The Julius
Caesar Entertainment Company entity. The army began as a means of
providing exploration, adventure and intimacy to events and activities
held in the Caribbean.

Caesar's Army promotes and
personifies an ethos of 'One Love' and holds uniting the Caribbean" as
its main aim. The 'Army' firmly believes that if each islander embraces
and experiences that commonality that holds us together as a region -
our carnivals and knack for celebration will be the catalyst for
Caribbean integration. Caesar's Army is well known in Trinidad &
Tobago for hosting premier events. Included in its line-up are MAI TAI,
the Hawaiian themed mega-party; the one-of-a-kind Caesar's Army
Panorama lime during T&T Carnival. The revolutionary Caesar's
Army A.M.BUSH, an alternative J'Ouvert concept, is held annually on
Carnival Saturday. Each event uniquely showcases what Caesar's Army is
best known for - an incredible
vibe.

Photos by Craig
Harley