When you hear the name Island Style, the infamous Glow and Mad Hatter's Ball events come to mind. Ian Wiltshire, the founder and mastermind behind Island Style Entertainment, always delivers some of the hottest events in the Caribbean and on North America's urban scene. The concept for "guesswho... de show & fete" was an interesting one. Several months before the actual event, the cast was unannounced... asking the public to guess who the surprise Soca artists were going to be! First 100 correct guesses would win tickets to the show. Our guess was Destra.... ehhhh.... wrong! On May 1st the exclusive line up would prove to be none other than... Denise Belfon... Maximus Dan... Alison Hinds... Timmy and Faye-Ann Lyons. The superstars would be backed on stage by the Toronto based band Neu Jenarashun band. Yeah Yeah!

Also in the house promoting the event, as well as celebrating his birthday, was Toronto-born Trini 2 D'Bone NBA star Jaamal Maglorie. Big up Jaamal and the New Orleans Hornets squad! Soca Monarchs and Dr. Jay, along with host E-Man, warmed up de fete nicely before the show kicked off around one-ish. Timmy was first on stage and delivered an energetic performance with his hit tunes, Bumper Catch Ah Fire and Worser Than Dat, not to mention tantalizing de women with his added wuk up skills. Next up was the sexy and talented Faye-Ann, who gave the crowd exactly what they wanted including the rowdy section of fellas in the middle of the fete, who kept on shouting "Clear de Way" when Faye-Ann was in between tunes. To keep the energy going, the crowd was then greeted by a "From yuh know yuh Royal.... whhh wooo whho wooo"... Mr. Soca Train himself, Maximus "The Gladiator" Dan. He sang hit after hit, old and new. He actually had to bring order to the crowd as they kept trying to shout out the songs they wanted to hear before he could get to them. "Order... Order! Don't cross de border!"

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Just how much big tune can Soca lovers take in one night? Obviously the answer is infinite as Denise "Saucy Wow" Belfon made her way to the main stage. Saucy never fails to deliver a wicked, entertaining performance. Ghetto Flex gave a surprise appearance, joining Denise in singing their 2003 hit tune Wine and Bend Over. Large up Ghetto Flex. Denise always adds that extra spice when she invites men from the audience to participate in Saucy Wow's Wining sessions. The rules are clear and cut. If you cannot wine or follow instructions please don't come on stage... trust us... it's for your own benefit! Moving right along, Bajan Soca Queen, Alison Hinds was the last performer to grace the stage. It was really nice to see Alison performing again, since leaving Square One to start her family. She was great as always, singing all her classic tunes, and she even gave the crowd a taste of what's new to come singing Roll It. Hearing tunes like Faluma and Togetherness again brought back a lot of great Square One memories... you know ... de Iron had we Bazodee!

Overall, a great assemble of Soca artists, who provided a great show. The one main complaint we got from the crowd as they made their way home was that the show ended too abrupt! Lights on - music shut off! Goodnight Simpons! Perhaps that was to avoid the extra late limers, but many would have appreciated the extra 15-30 mins of music to chip out de fete. It would have made a world of difference they claimed... and you know Caribbean people love to party and lime until the sweepers come out with their brooms! Maybe next time... Fire Fete 2 anyone??!!