Kurt Riley for Eclipse Negril Party

Having worked in the hotel industry for a number of years, Damion Arthur
knows a thing or two about getting people’s attention. It’s something he
has used to his advantage in his job as a party promoter. Arthur is the main man behind negrilentertainment.com, a web site that has showcased events throughout the resort town since 2008.

He is the promoter of Eclipse Negril, which takes place July 16 at the Risky Business venue. He is not only banking on attracting a big crowd, but a diverse one as well.

“What we are hoping to do is capture a soca audience in the parking lot and the dancehall fans inside,” Arthur said. Arthur is particularly eyeing the soca throng which is usually a more
mature, upscale demographic that is willing to shell out solid money for a good time.

“We are trying to get the soca thing going down in Negril. The people are
calling for it,” he said. At the height of its popularity in the 1990s, soca had a strong following in Negril thanks to bandleader Byron Lee who played the Risky Business on several occasions.

Damion Arthur recalls those days when Lee and his Dragonaires band packed the venue and is keen to follow suit.

Arthur says he was bitten by the promoter’s bug while working as a bartender and deejay at Alfred’s Ocean Palace in Negril. He remembers tourists approaching him regularly to find out about the town’s hottest
parties.

Three years ago, he launched negrilentertainment.com and also got involved in the leisure business as a promoter. Besides Eclipse Negril, he produces Lollipop in March and Santa’s Rum Revenge in December. Helping Arthur and his crew party this weekend will be DJ Kurt Riley the Party Animal, DJ P Drama out of New York, DJ Absolute and ZJ Ice.