Destra Garcia – Jamaica Gleaner

Davina Henry, Staff Writer

Bacchanal J’ouvert got off to a slow start. At about 10:45 p.m., the venue was practically empty.

However, not long after, patrons began filing in, dressed for the paint in their tee shirts and shorts, most of them with their heads wrapped.

People lymed and danced while others scampered to the Bacchanal booth to get some of the giveaways.

An hour later, the emcee, ZJ Bambino, took to the stage to kick off the night’s proceedings. DJ Ryan from Trinidad got the crowd amped up with songs such as Palance by JW and Blase, Miss Behave by Fay Ann Lyons and Throw Wine by Prophet Banjamin.

The patrons were ready to party as was evidenced by their gyrating, wining and waving of flags in the air.

It was just minutes after midnight when Bambino and DJ Ryan kicked the show into high gear. Bambino invited the Appleton girls onstage with the Jamaican flag to provide entertainment for the patrons. There was also brief laughter when Bambino remarked, “thank God, you have green in the flag.”

The ‘Bacchanalists’ were then ready to ‘get on bad’ when songs like Pon The Floor by Vybz Kartel, Wotless by Kes The Band, 6:30 by Skinny Fabulous and Go Dung by Lil Rick and Machel Montano were played.

One of the night’s biggest response came when DJ Ryan dropped Bruk It Down by Mr Vegas. Patrons were on the ground wining, gyrating to prove who could ‘bruk it down’ the best.

Bambino then called onstage a fluffy young lady, who thoroughly entertained the crowd with her antics.

Hit after hit

The feature performer for the night, Destra Garcia, took to the stage at 1 a.m., dressed in a white and sequin form-fitting romper and sporting blonde hair. At this point, patrons started to move closer to the stage area. She reeled off hits such as Cool It Down, I Dare You, Wine It and Max It Up.

Destra also remarked that she heard that “some people were saying that this year’s Beach J’Ouvert was the best, but I thought last year’s J’Ouvert was the best,” she said jokingly. READ MORE

Soca artist Destra Garcia takes hardship, controversy in stride

For the most part, entertainers have erratic schedules that can prevent them from pursuing interests and, though in good spirits and engaging, Trinidad & Tobago’s high-energy soca artist, Destra Garcia, was understandably subdued when she arrived in Toronto last Good Friday for a series of events that included a photo shoot, a CD signing and an appearance at the Polson Pier’s Fire Fete.

She had fasted 40 days and was looking forward to her first big meal.

Raised in a spiritual family, this was the first Lent that Garcia did not perform on stage. Her last appearance prior to Saturday night was the Champs of Steel Plus event on February 25 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.

“My parents are churchgoers and they observe Lent,” she told Share. “As a member of a band you have to think about the other members. I, however, took control this year and opted not to perform. I am blessed and grateful for many of the things I have achieved in life and I don’t think it’s asking too much to give up some of the things you are accustomed to for 40 of the 365 days in a year.” READ MORE