Soca lovers are in for a whistle-blowing, flag-waving, water-throwing good time tonight before Cup Match when the 2006 Power Soca Monarch takes the stage at Snorkel Park.

Hott 107.5 is presenting "Open De Gate", a pre-Cup Match soca concert featuring Shurwayne Winchester and the Traffik band taking place tonight.

The show will be produced for MTV's TEMPO, a Caribbean music channel. In addition to the megastar, local acts Roache, C'Daynger and Homegrown will open the show with Harper Digital Sound.

DJ Craig Bubbles Darrell and Barmuvinjam's resident DJ D'General, will play tune after tune to keep the energy level high. Ninja Cutty will entertain the crowd as the host for the event. The Royal Gazette had the opportunity to speak to Shurwayne himself before he got to the Island and yesterday at Hott's studios about what he will bring to the show, his inspiration and more.

The artist, born on the island of Tobago, said he fell in love with soca music at the age of seven and recalls his first performance. "My first performance was terrifying and the song was entitled 'National Pride', he said.

Mr. Winchester is looking forward to performing in Bermuda and said: "I am eager to perform in Bermuda as I wish to feel the people, interact with them, learn from them and then teach them why the name Shurwayne should be in every home."

Mr. Winchester lists The Carpenters, Baron, Merchant and Roaring Lion as a few of his musical heroes and explained the best part about being a soca artist.

"I am able to break new ground and since my music has not been totally absorbed by the world market, just like the greats, Lord Kitchener, Duke, Calypso Rose and Shadow, my small but consistent contributions will be part reason some day the world will find the Eighth Wonder soca music."

The soca superstar says his favourite song is 'Heavenly Father' and said Bermuda should expect high energy, love, sex appeal and the unexpected as soon as he steps on stage tonight.

"I love gadgets and tricks and I love water", he said with a smile.

He explained when he performs, he aims to please the crowd. "We perform music from the sixties that you wouldn't expect, merge music with soca like reggaeton".

Organisers say Shurwayne's appearance will be highly anticipated because this is the first time a king of soca will perform in Bermuda since the days of Arrow in the late 80s.

The lead singer of Traffik won the coveted Road March Champion in 2004 with his hit 'Look De Band Coming', 2005 Road March Champion for 'Dead or Alive' and the Power Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch with songs 'Can't Wait' and 'Don't Stop' in 2006 and 'Open De Gate' in 2007.

In addition to soca, revellers can expect to hear old and new soca, reggae and R&B.

Doors open at 8 p.m. with a special VIP section in the upstairs section of Hammerheads Bar until 10 p.m.

According to the press release, the first 200 entrants will receive a free LIVE UP T-shirt in recognition of Inter-Island Communication Ltd.'s commitment to the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV and AIDS awareness.

Security will be provided by Snorkel Park's security team and Deep Dale. Police officers will be on duty out the gate to ensure that everyone enters in an orderly fashion.

Shurwayne encourages everyone to come out with their rags and whistles for a good time. He also said he intends to make this an annual event, God willing.

For more information on Shurwayne, you can visit www.hott1075.com or www.shurwaynewinchester.com. Tickets are priced at $60 and can be bought at Hott 107.5 studios or from members of Zodiac and Smooth Entertainment by calling 517-0300.