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Kingston’s summer entertainment calendar is getting a creative refresh as FRi-NALLY prepares to hand over the reins of its bi-weekly series to four of Jamaica’s popular digital creators. Starting this Friday, FRi-NALLY will kick off its creator-led Summer Series with ‘Gaza x Gully’, hosted by K’Vonne ‘Prince Pine’ Legore. The format invites each selected creator to reimagine what a FRi-NALLY experience looks like while giving audiences four completely different nights.“Since launching FRi-NALLY in 2019, we’ve always challenged ourselves to find new ways to elevate the experience for our patrons,” said Daniel Wong, co-founder of FRi-NALLY. “Content creators already command incredible attention online, but we wanted to move beyond the traditional model of simply asking them to host or promote an event. By putting them in the driver’s seat, we’re allowing them to showcase their creativity, build something their audience genuinely wants to experience, and demonstrate that creators can be much more than promotional partners.”In partnership with The Influence Jamaica, content creators Prince Pine, Shereese Renee Palmer, Karlando ‘Bad Sekki’ Bailey and Jerome ‘One Supreme’ Nelson will each take over a FRi-NALLY event after randomly selecting a unique theme. From the music and atmosphere to audience engagement, content creation and the overall experience, each creator will be challenged to make the venue a reflection of their own style and creative vision.“FRi-NALLY was the right partner for The Influence Jamaica because they understand what we’re building: a space where creators don’t just show up; they lead. The brand has the energy, the audience and the cultural connection that makes sense for our influencers and for the kind of experiences we want to create,” said André Skeen, team lead for The Influence Jamaica.The Summer Series introduces a competitive element, with each creator taking creative ownership of an event and being evaluated on its promotion, audience engagement, attendance and overall commercial performance. While the prize package has not yet been revealed, organisers say it will include more than a cash award.Supporting the initiative is Blossom Concept, the official décor partner. Working with an equal décor budget for each staging, Blossom Concept will collaborate closely with every creator to interpret their vision, elevate the aesthetics of each event, and incorporate engaging design elements that ensure every experience is distinctive while maintaining a level playing field.“We’ve challenged ourselves as promoters to rethink what event marketing can look like and to create something that excites and entertains audiences before, during and after the event,” said Jared Samuel, co-founder of FRi-NALLY. “By placing creators at the centre of the experience, we’re introducing a new way for audiences to engage. If this series encourages more brands to see creators as genuine collaborators rather than simply promotional tools, then we’ll know we’ve created something that extends beyond this summer.”Following Friday’s Gaza x Gully kick-off, the Summer Series continues with ‘Bottles & Babes’, hosted by Shereese Renee Palmer, on July 24; ‘Sum A Dis, Sum A Dat’, hosted by Bad Sekki, on August 14; and ‘Likkle Throwback’, hosted by One Supreme, on August 28.While each event will reflect the style of its host, organisers say patrons can still expect elements that have become synonymous with FRi-NALLY. The series has previously featured appearances from some of Jamaica’s biggest dancehall and reggae artistes, celebrities and other public figures, with organisers hinting at more surprise appearances this summer.
entertainment@gleanerjm.com
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