THIS time Unite Promotions have simply outdone themselves! The 07/07/07 Pink Party III was simply unbelievable. If you don’t believe me, go check out the pictures on all the websites, Bermynet, Black & Coke, etc. Pictures seldom lie — and these ones tell an enthralling story. If you didn’t attend the party, the pictures will make you wish you did (and if you were there, they will put a smile on your face). DJLT is without question a self-confessed old fogey, soon to be 43- years-old, and doesn’t go out too much anymore. However, last week I was approached by Mr. Belcario Thomas and invited to Unite Promotions’ Pink Party III, which was held last Saturday evening at the very cool Snorkel Park, in Dockyard, one of the greatest spots in the world for a party.

This was definitely the best party I have attended in years, way better than even the Red Parties, the White Party and all the other events Unite (or anyone else, for that matter) has staged in recent years.

My wife, who is a very tough customer when it comes to such events, thoroughly enjoyed herself and spoke glowingly about it afterwards.

Unite Event Creations & Promotions is a relatively new event marketing company owned by Four Star Pizza family member, former domestic broker for Butterfield Bank, and son of the late, great entrepreneurs, Mr. & Mrs. Freddie Thomas (bless their souls) Belcario Thomas. Unite has put on other successful events but this party was different, something special and very, very different . I’ll simply say this was something well beyond a party, dance party or a concert: this was an experience!

Some patrons took up the option of travelling to the West End by fast ferry; which was a brilliant idea. They had the fast ferries prearranged to take you up and intelligently, only returning to Hamilton at 3 am and 4 am. This ensured that once there, you would stay until at least 3 am, because you know local residents would not likely be taking taxis from Dockyard, at the top fare rate (after midnight), all the way to Hamilton or wherever else they might be headed after a night out.

But as usual, I digress; back to the party.

My experience was just out of this world. I arrived around 11 pm, drove the entire way and actually found a parking spot outside the Maritime Museum, giving the Queen and me a short walk to Snorkel Park (you know us spoiled Bermudians don’t like driving more than 20 minutes to get anywhere and we definitely don’t like to have to walk too far).

Upon arrival, we were greeted by what I will call Unite’s welcoming party; a team of stunning young ladies, seductively clad in eye-catching clothing that set the tone for the evening. After heavy duty security checks and searches (this is the way of the world today) the welcoming ladies escorted us inside, explained the layout,. pointed out the ar, the stage, the loos and answered any questions we might have had before we had time to ask them. We were left with nothing else to say but, “Thanks.”

If you were lucky enough to snag some VIP tickets, you would have been escorted to the upscale VIP Lounge. This is primarily for those of us with huge egos and also for those working with the event (and their friends) to have a place to chill when they wanted to get away from the masses. However, with the masses was where all the activity was happening, where the pulse of the evening came from and where you really would have wanted to be.

From the moment we arrived, even though it was relatively early, the place was crammed; there must have been at least 2000-2500 people there as early as 11 pm! I guess Unite has a reputation and whenever and wherever they build it, the people just seem to come. Snorkel Park was so packed that there was really, not literally, standing room only.

When we finally made our way, escorted by one of Bermuda’s loveliest young ladies, to the VIP Lounge, I was warmed to see my boy Marcus (DJ Chubb) George standing behind the ones and twos (turntables or CD players, for the uninformed). I have previously written that DJ Chubb is one of the best DJs on the island. Being a genuinely humble fellow, he does not like when I say this but what sets him apart from almost every other DJ on the island is his selection — and I have told him as much. For some reason, this guy just picks the right songs at the right times and he inserts or mixes them into whatever was playing before in a unique and creative way that keeps you dancing. Marcus is off the hook!

In any event, DJ Chubb was, as he always is, on top of his game at the Pink Party III. In addition to DJs and MCs, guests were treated to performance by Capoera dancers/warriors and a performance for the ages by members of the Sabor School of Salsa. You just have to like Salsa! There were lots of giveaways, prizes and fun things from the many sponsors, such as cell phones from Cellular One and the only I Phone on the island, courtesy of the only I Store on the island.

In addition to my boy DJ Chubb, since Unite promotions didn’t want to tire out Bermuda’s DJs, they also had DJ Choice, Vybez Alliance, DJ OB1 and the Master Blaster DJ Scott (Double S) Simmons, who just wouldn’t leave the mike alone. Double S was also on his game; keeping the party alive with the kind of audience interaction that only he can provide.

Meanwhile, throughout the evening, the party evolved by flowing between Bermuda’s hottest DJs, a fashion show and the numerous forms of entertainment that make Unite’s parties the best on the island.

The Pink Party III was amazing. Anybody who could be considered cool, fun, funky, good-looking and hip was there. The atmosphere was electric; the rain (which had earlier threatened) held off, there was a fresh ocean breeze in the air, there were boats in the area and people everywhere. I think that’s the busiest Dockyard has been since the Music Festival; which I understand is moving to the National Centre this October. Not a bad idea; if you change the venue, you may change the weather forecast, as it has often rained on the festival. It would be nice to have an indoor stadium where weather was not an issue.

But back to the Pink Party III. I’m not so shallow as to always focus on beautiful people, but there were tons of them at the Pink Party III; both guys and girls. You couldn’t fit any more people on the upper and lower levels of the bar, the place was packed beyond capacity, even the stairs were rammed, you couldn’t go up or down in less than 5 minutes. To ensure that nobody misbehaved; there were Police Officers in attendance. I think they probably had more fun than everybody else; they were being paid to observe what was probably the best party in Bermuda for 2007.

At this juncture I should comment on the décor and theme into which Snorkel Park was transformed. Kudos must be extended to Ms. Danilee Trott, who does all the decorating for Unite Productions and is and Event Planner and Decorator extraordinaire and who, I must say, does an excellent job. Unite uses a strategy of selective target marketing to like-minded people of different backgrounds, their friends and those they network with to market their events and ensure maximum attendance. Unite’s message (uniting people of like minds but of different backgrounds) is to come out, flirt, mingle and meet someone new, you’ll find that you have more in common than you might have previously thought. I concur with Belcario’s statement that “This is the cure for most, if not all of Bermuda’s social issues.” He makes a good point; if we all just hung out together more and had pleasurable experiences, we would all be happier, healthier and less inclined to engage in crime and antisocial behaviour. How often do you go to a party with 2000 people in Bermuda and there are no fights. Such is the mood and vibe at Unite’s events. The guests are lovers, not fighters.

Belcario is delighted that the Pink Party III, which was held in honour of his late mother, whose favourite colour and nickname were both Pink, was able to raise and will be donating $2000 to the TB Cancer Association shortly.

I was thinking that there must be a way that we can have parties like this more frequently. Although the Bermuda Department of Tourism has pretty much taken over Snorkel Park, there has to be a way and there must be a venue, that young, cool, funky and hip event promoters like Unite Promotions can use to stage events that will give both Bermudians and visitors more exciting entertainment options. Perhaps the solution to our entertainment woes, as stated by many a tourist, is to put entertainment in the hands of our young people. They have the energy, drive, ideas and interest to pull this off, but most importantly, they can reach the younger audiences that tend to or would like to hang out more. All in all, everybody had a blast, even those where were working; just ask the Cops.

The next great event, courtesy of Unite Promotions, which, for those of you who are on the island, will be the White Party on Labour Day, September 3, 2007, at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Lower Ballrooms and outdoor lounge, where some 1500 people will enjoy the theme of Dance, Decadence and Debauchery, all hosted by a soon to be named A-List Celebrity.