The popular 'Short Shorts' Party at the Tropical Beach, Montego Bay kicks off this year's Jamaica Carnival season on February 12, 2005. This will the 16th year of Jamaica Carnival, founded by the world-renowned Calypsonian Byron Lee of 'Byron Lee and the Dragonaires' fame.

This year's Jamaica Carnival will feature events that spread out over more of rural Jamaica than occurred in the past. It culminates with the Kingston Road Parade and grand finale at the National Stadium car park, St. Andrew, on Sunday, April 3, 2005.

My own carnival days were spent on the campus of the University of the West Indies, which was the original carnival location. The regional student population, hailing from carnival hotbeds like Trinidad, St. Lucia, and Barbados, ensured that carnival was 'hot, hot, hot'!!! I have fond memories of all the 'jump-ups' and especially of 'Ring Road,' where we all calypsoed right around the circular road that rings the administration, Arts Faculty and Library.

Last year's successful integration of dance hall with soca in the Jamaica Carnival resulted in a wider cross section of Jamaicans coming out to party, and it is projected that even more Jamaicans and visitors will turn out this year.

How to dress for carnival

Light, comfortable, and cool clothing is a must for carnival in Jamaica. The sultry heat and large throngs of dancing fun lovers make comfy and cool an absolute priority. Carry drinking water, preferably in a container with a strap that can hang from the neck, leaving the arms free for merry making. Add a rag or towel, cap or scarf as headgear, and rub on lots of sunscreen!!!

Costumes are usually available for purchase. If interested, you can keep checking http://www.jamaicacarnival.com/ for updates, and remember to fly with our local airline, Air Jamaica. Read more about Byron Lee in this piece from Air Jamaica's Sky Writings magazine: http://www.airjamaica.com/skywriting/Aprilsky/dragon.asp

Come on, treat yourself. You know what they say about 'all work and no play'!!! Relaxation and fun are an important part of creating inner balance and overall health!!!

Help!!! I had some hot carnival pics, especially a lovely guy for the ladies, but alas, I have no clue how to upload here. The pics didn't paste with the text... Sorry!!! ;-) If someone tells me how, I'll add them....

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/screensavers/ for carnival screen savers.

Listen especially to 'Dollar Wine,' 'Fire Say Say,' 'Jump Up,' 'Lady Teaser,' 'Hot, Hot, Hot,' and 'Dance Hall Soca' in the CD samples below. My favourite is the 'Soca Fire Inna Jamdown Stylee' CD!!! Enjoy!!!