Promoter making use of relaxed COVID restrictions in Florida
With entertainment still on lockdown in Jamaica, Fabian Howell, promoter of the Riddim party series, is making the best use of Club Vibes in Panama City, Florida, to keep reggae and dancehall music pumping.
The inaugural, three-part series has seen him showcase I- Octane in April, Squash in July and Alkaline on September 26, all with little to no COVID-19 restrictions.
He shared that there were neither vaccine nor COVID test requirements in order to enter the venue and even the wearing of masks was optional.
“Where I am in Panama City, it is not an issue to keep events. There is no mask mandate and people do go out and about freely. All three shows did well, especially the Alkaline event, which sold out quite early. The timing was right because he had just dropped the hit song Sell Off and it was trending,” Howell explained.
Club Vibes has a 300- person capacity and for the Alkaline event there were approximately 800 in attendance, and that, he noted, was exceptional for Panama City, a small community which is located in a relatively quiet area in Florida.
“We are now looking to enter other cities such as Miami and Atlanta and where we can get bigger venues, perhaps outdoor, and, of course, hopefully, the numbers will be in the thousands,” said the University of the West Indies graduate who cut his promotions teeth while on campus. But Howell is still itching to bring the festivities home.
“As soon as the entertainment scene in Jamaica reopens, we will be there,” he promised.