Music and flavours of Jamaica return to Nelson

RUM DO: Organiser David Phillips, centre, with sister Carolyn and borther Chris, all of Delaware Bay, at last year's Jamaican Jump Up at Fairfield House.

The Jamaican Jump Up is bigger and better this year.

Nelson's Founders Heritage Park will take on the atmosphere of a Caribbean village on Sunday January 31.

The second Jamaican Jump Up dance party is being held at the venue and will feature Jamaican music from Nelson DJ Grant Smithies and Nelson reggae band Wicked Draw, plenty of authentic Caribbean tucker and a classic Jamaican cocktail bar.

Held at Fairfield House last year, it was sold out two weeks before the event, prompting a change of venue and a bit more organisation, organiser David Phillips says.

Last year, packed-out lines at the Jamaican food stand were an issue, but on Sunday there will be more vendors offering nosh such as spicy barbecue jerk chicken and pork with tropical fruit salad, Jamaican goat curry and roast corn. For dessert, there will be both rum and raisin and mango-lime icecream, made especially for the event by Nelson's Penguino Icecream Cafe.

"We want to create that Caribbean feel with of lots of street vendors, weather permitting, which will circle around the green where the stage is going to be, where Grant Smithies will be spinning his fantastic reggae vinyl collection."

The evening will be opened by DJ Smithies, and then Wicked Draw will play a two-hour set. Smithies will hop on stage again to close the event.

Mr Phillips aims to sell about 600 tickets, 200 more than last year, or maybe more if demand dictates. "So many people were disappointed they couldn't get tickets last year."

The venue will be decorated with flags, the air thick with the smell of Jamaican barbecue and the music just as good as last year, Mr Phillips promises.

"I have to say that I have never seen a DJ [Smithies] get a standing ovation before, and basically it was a wonderful feeling to look across the whole brick area there and see a sea of dancing.

"There was pretty much, I would say, 200 people on the dance floor for the entire evening, and when we had to shut it down, people then gave a standing ovation.

"He's a great DJ and has a wonderful collection, with older numbers right through to contemporary music.

"Wicked Draw will provide a nice new angle, too. They are working on their second album and I hear they have a new guitarist who is absolutely fantastic," Mr Phillips says.

When it comes to drinks, the Caribbean theme is just as strong, with a Caribbean lager made especially for the event by Mapua's Golden Bear Brewery.

"It's called Rude Bwoy lager ... [the brewer] brewed this lager at about two degrees warmer than normal because he figured that's one of the things that gives the beer a distinctive Caribbean flavour," Mr Phillips says.

Other local beers will be on offer, along with wine and an Appleton Rum bar featuring Jamaican punch and other cocktails.

Now all there is to do is hope for a clear day, Mr Phillips says.

"I am hoping it will rain itself out and finally give us a nice day on Sunday."

• The Jamaican Jump Up starts at 4pm on Sunday and runs until 11pm. Tickets are $20 at Everyman and $25 at the door; under-12s are free.