Photos by Andre C.Y. Choo Quan and Amiel. B
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page 3 of 4

Day 3 - TJJ Notting Hill 2008 Fete-lympics®. On Carnival Saturday, you will find at least two solid all inclusive day fetes, and this year was no different. You have PoisonUK's Ultimate All Inclusive, who has 3 Canal and Anslem Douglas in their 2k8 entertainment line up, and then, new comers Incognito with their All Inclusive fete "Shipwrecked".

Now our very own TJJ rep, Mr. Amiel aka Under Mi Guinness (not sure if this still holds true), who usually hold things down quite nicely on the frontline, decided that he not working Carnival Saturday!! He already made it clear that he will be getting drunk and wassy (see photo) at Shipwrecked!! And with Bajan Nick still in transit from Bim … all we could bawl is, "Man down … man down!!" The new game plan was to cover Shipwrecked and then hit up UK TRIBE Launch afterwards. With both Fete-lympics® events overlapping each other, it was going to take a extra push to get to the finish line tonight! But if anyone can pull it off, it's Team TJJ!

We heading to the farm… de Chalk Farm. As stated on flyer, Haverstock Hill was literally a 1 minute walk from the Chalk Farm tube station. So braps, we inside the venue minutes to 8pm. And the 1st words from one of the promoters, "But eh eh, allya early?" Hummm ... the party scheduled from 5pm-12 … it's an all inclusive, which means free food and drinks, and we on a tight schedule … as a matter of fact, we actually late! *lol* Okay, drinks and a lil' socializing in order. Meet we at the bar...

THE VENUE from outside looks like you entering some kind of private school or government building, but after being greeted with warm smiles from the cuties at the front door, we were pointed in the right direction. There was a little section set up displaying both costumes for Incognito's special UK section "Treasure Island" and their section for new TnT mas band Elements. We heard they were going to be giving away a door prize for a Elements costume too… papa oye!

The party was divided into two main areas … 1. the indoors area, which was the main dance floor with DJs overlooking the action … and 2. the outdoor/garden area, where the food and drink stations were set up. This was where most of the early arrivers were liming. Food was not ready as yet, but drinks were flowing and cutters were present to ease the wait. Some partygoers were anxiously waiting with plates in hand to taste the chef's hand - too funny! (photo) The bars were well stocked and bartenders were very efficient, yet still friendly. We talkin' bout Carib, 1919 Rum, Vodka, Tequila and ohhh that Rum Punch!! That definitely did some silent damage to nuff partygoers on the night!! Hehe. We particularly enjoyed the sexy sailors walking around serving up drink shots (photo). Nice touch!

FOOD REACH! Well partygoers weren't playing around with their bellies, yes!! We've never seen such a proper line up for food in quite sometime - it was no single queue - but the line wrapped around the railing and people weren't shoving and pushing one another. Definitely a mature and sexy crowd at hand! We have one word to describe the food … "BESSSSSSSS"!! Hats off to the Caribbean Chef of the Year, Collin Brown (www.thelanerestaurant.co.uk)! There was a wide selection of dishes - chicken, beef, pork, shrimp (who stick on the shrimp definitely lost out) - and everything tasted absolutely fantastic. The jasmine style rice was a big hit … seconds was in order! We didn't hear one complaint about the food, so it seem that it was worth the little wait.

MUSIC and VIBES. If it's one thing this fete didn't lack was vibes!! The short lived rainfall actually helped out a bit, since everyone had to head inside. But this was well after everyone's bellies were content and alcohol was in everyone veins! Hehe. So the party now start!! DJ Markee and the Gladiators Sound system held tings down, jamming soca and reggae straight. The jamishness was quickly creeping in and then all of a sudden … the FIRE ALARM sounded off. You got to be kidding us!!! Fire truck on its way … everyone please proceed to the nearest exit. Wowie, fete at it's peak (well so we thought at the time), and all man jack have to cease the wining ... excuse me Ms, this wine is to be continued!! Okay, judgement call ... shall we stay or make movements to TRIBE? Luckily we decided to hang on, because 10-15 minutes later, the party was back on track.

Wait, where's Hypa Hoppa, who was scheduled to play? Hoppie either M.I.A or not in the country … but no scene … the big bad Herbalize-it sound outta Holland was in the building, who actually just got into town and immediately joined the TJJ Notting Hill 2008 Fete-lympics®. Our TJJ Holland family single-handedly mash up and buy back the fete!! Tune after tune … it was pure vibes and partygoers were loving it as they fete the night away. Arch Nemisis and Gladiators were providing that extra hype on the mic. We tell ya ... everyone, including soca artists Ghetto Flex and Roger George, were having a time and ah half. We also spotted one of our beloved Soca Warriors, Kenwyne Jones on the inside. Stay tuned for TJJ TV coverage.

As expected, the fete went after midnight, but it wasn't too long before the lights came on. A quick team assembly and we were off to UK TRIBE Launch … Dre UK and Mix Juice waiting on us to join their Fete-lympics® event!!

Looking forward to this fete next year fuh sure....
Chooks aka Daddy Juice "Not from Concentrate"

ps. That is NOT me sleeping in the backseat, eh!!

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