Xaymaca gets Bolt of energy
New outfit presents costumes at Constant Spring Golf Club
ON SATURDAY night, Xaymaca International Band hosted their first official event at the Constant Spring Golf Club, St Andrew. They have secured the support of a famous Jamaican face, Usain Bolt. “That’s the guy right there,” Bolt told The Gleaner at the launch event, beckoning for Ian Bourne to join him. “He is gonna make sure I jump with them,” he said.
The Xaymaca concept has been stewing for a while, Andrew Bellamy told The Gleaner. “I kinda hesitated. I wasn’t sure if the market was ready, but after 2016 I realised that Jamaica is about to explode,” he said. Now he has launched the third of four bands expected to be rolling down the road this Carnival season.
The premiere of the seven costume sections, scheduled for midnight, began 45 minutes late before an audience more focused on recording the costumes rather than cheering the models and their feathery vestments.
The party promoter-turnedpolitician said he felt a calling to organise the right team. “All of the players, all of my partners, are very ‘intergalactic’ in making this a success. And clearly, the partnership with Tribe, that only makes it greater,” Bellamy said.
Xaymaca International will have the support of Trinidad and Tobago’s Dean Ackin. After he took leadership of Tribe Carnival in 2012, Forbes magazine listed Ackin as one of the top 10 carnival entrepreneurs.
Bellamy’s other partners for the management of Xaymaca International are Ian Bourne (I Love Soca, Sunrise Breakfast Party), Akil Strachan and Steven Lofters (Soca vs Dancehall, LehWeGo), Kandi King (Karnival by Kandi), Mark Lalor and DJ Richie Ras.
“Our team is young, creative and has a lot of energy; and Tribe brings a lot of experience and guidance,” Bellamy said. “When you combine that, we have a very solid band and we have perfect offerings for people in the carnival realm.”
The Xaymaca launch was hosted by JW of Trinidad and Tobago and supported with food by Pita Grill.