There’s no need to travel overseas for your next soca “whine”. Passion Bermuda is bringing carnival right here for the first time in the summer.

Heroes Weekend 2015 will offer the same dance until dawn celebration seen in other parts of the world, but with a unique Bermuda twist.

It is something local soca DJ Jason Sukdeo has been dreaming about for more than ten years.

After discovering Toronto’s Caribana, he went travelling to carnival-themed fetes in Trinidad, Bahamas, Barbados, Miami, New York and Washington.

He believes a similar thing here could put Bermuda on the entertainment map — and tomorrow night he is offering a taste of what is to come when he launches Heroes Week 2015 at a party at Pier Six.

Q: What will be happening on New Year’s Eve?

A: Passion Bermuda, the group behind the big soca truck in the Bermuda Day Parade, will be hosting a New Year’s Eve party. It will feature Barrie Hype from Miami and D’General & DNice from Bermuda. We will be playing all the favourites from 2014 and past hits in soca, reggae, dance hall, pop, R & B, afrobeat and hip hop. The event will also signify the launch of Bermuda Heroes Weekend 2015, a new initiative that will be similar to an island carnival that can be seen in other jurisdictions, but with a Bermuda twist.

Q: How do you hope people will react to the news of having a carnival event in Bermuda?

A: The reactions thus far have been very positive, both locally and internationally. There are many local residents who have been asking for a carnival for a long time. The internationals, including artists, DJs and frequent carnival chasers, are also very interested and are looking for more details. Machel Montano, the international king of soca, has called for this event on his latest visit to the Island during Cup Match.

Q: Why will it be called Bermuda Heroes Weekend?

A: The event will take place from June 12 to 15. The four days include our National Heroes Day holiday. The aim is to have a carnival-style event while still highlighting Bermuda’s culture. This holiday is generally underutilised and we believe it will be a good opportunity to achieve this goal. This weekend also typically has fair weather and it does not clash with any other major international carnival.

Q: Can you give any details on what will happen next June?

A: The plans are still in the developmental stage but here’s what we have. The event will start on the Friday with a grand opening festival. The next day we will host a J’ouvert celebration of our heroes and parade of bands. On Sunday there will be a promoter’s day, which will be followed by a comet race day raft-up on Monday. The website Bermudaheroesweekend.com will have all the information as it becomes available. Social media accounts have also been started on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as @BermudaCarnival.

Q: Why is this such a big thing for Bermuda?

A: The weekend presents an opportunity to have a signature weekend full of events that can attract visitors year after year. The weekend will be similar to a carnival, or music festival. It will attract like-minded people with entertainment being the centrepiece. Participants will enjoy international artists at various events, while celebrating Bermuda’s culture and experiencing all our Island has to offer. This weekend will provide a formidable tourism product which can attract new visitors every year while providing exciting entertainment for our residents.

Q: New Year’s Eve will be the launch. What can people expect?

A: An exciting night from the time the doors open at Pier Six at 9pm. Barrie Hype, from Miami, visited the Island in July for the Heineken Full Moon party at Barr’s Park. He was very well received and was immediately interested in returning. Also, D’General and DNice will bring a local flavour. On display will be the costumes for the Bermuda Heroes Weekend parade of bands. This event is sponsored by JetBlue, Johnnie Walker, Heineken and Smirnoff, so there will be lost of fun and surprises.

*Tickets, $40, are available from Kit N Caboodle, Stefanel, The Edge and online at ptix.bm