Marbana set to thrill
AS many revellers draw close to Ocho Rios this weekend, promoters of Marbana are confident that their annual Portland party will be a hit.
“Port Antonio is the home of the iconic world-famous Frenchman’s Cove where the first Marbana was held. Nothing was happening in Port Antonio and we wanted something unique,” promoter Kibwe Mcgann told the Jamaica Observer.
“The word ‘marbana’ comes from maroon and banana, which literally links back to Portland. Marbana pulls a more sophisticated adult crowd. It’s a party where you can come out and have a great time but still be away from all the noise,” Zulo Walton, director of M7 Events, added.
The event will celebrate its sixth staging with entertainment as well as soca and Jamaican deejays like Jazzy T, Franco, Lurbz and Aswaad.
Mcgann shared what will make this year special.
“There are a lot of unique things. For one, there will
be a dessert station. The food is greatly improved. We have three very wellknown chefs including chef Garfield Seivwright Jr,
Patsy Lyn Caterers, Grace Foods…brew’d Awakenings which is a part of the Tastee company,” he said.
The promoters say the event has amassed great support over the years.
“Marbana has constantly been growing. We have had between 1,800 and 2,000 people yearly and that’s because we cater for everybody. We cater for millennials as well as older folks. By young people, I mean people between the ages of 21 and 24. We also take our patrons on a unique gastronomical journey with the quality of food we have. It’s also an authentic soca experience because Marbana opens Carnival Week,” said Walton.
Both promoters told the Observer that up to Wednesday tickets were 90 per cent sold out.
“It’s a high-in-demand event. We have people from as far as Nigeria who come every year,” Mcgann concluded.