Angelo Laurence, Freelance Writer
WITH an image of being a quiet and peaceful town, it is no wonder that to many visitors it appears that not much goes on in Mandeville's entertainment world.
Unlike Portmore and Kingston, for example, the entertainment scene in the mid-island town is shrouded by the unwritten rule of privacy for its patrons and one would have to look underneath all the trappings to find that special spot to relax and enjoy a good spot.
Yes, they do exist in Mandeville, but finding them requires a sniffer dog if you do not have some relative or friend in the town to show you where they are. One would be surprised to learn that some of the hottest spots are in some of the town's most upscale neighbourhoods, unknown to a lot of the residents.
However, don't think for a moment that you can enter without being accompanied by a long-time patron. These spots are for special people or members only.
On the other hand there are the regular spots that are attempting to put some life in the town. Clubs like Eclipse on Ward Avenue seem to have found a formula to bring out the young and not so young on Thursdays and Sundays.
They have been offering a variety of entertainment packages that have appealed to a wide cross-section of the town's partygoers. Their talent show series, which started earlier in the year and will climax on December 30 with the best performer for the period receiving $100,000, has kept the crowds coming out.
There are other choices, such as the Extreme nightclub on Villa Road which is well decorated but from the outside not very appealing to the first time visitor. A little further down the road is the Upper Level night-club in the Caledonia Court plaza. Its weekly Wednesday night shows have garnered a lukewarm response with most patrons being young people.
However, just passing by the club, it is easy to get the impression this is a place for idlers by the often slack and lewd behaviour that takes place in the parking lot and on the balcony of the premises.
For those who are satisfied with a solid once-a-month entertainment package which rocks the soul and soothes the feet while rekindling that loving feeling, there is always Fayors Entertainment Centre on Ward Avenue.
Over the years Fayor's has built up a reputation in the region for putting on first class shows with top-flight artistes. The venue is also respected for its no-nonsense stance on slackness and bad behaviour. It's Mandeville's home for Tony Rebel, Marcia Griffiths, Ken Boothe, David 'Cat' Coore and many other high calibre performers.
Young people like Carey Carter are not satisfied with the level or variety of entertainment available to young people in the town. She said that she and her friends often trek off to Ocho Rios and Montego Bay to seek a good time. Kingston is out of the schedule due to the soaring crime levels.
"Young people don't have anywhere to go and hang out in safety without some man offering them sex," she said According to Ms. Carter, a sales representative and student, "there is little difference between the old men who should be setting an example and the young boys. They are all hot like ten fireside," she claims. "And if you are not careful, you will end up in their clutches."
With no movie theatre or parks to go to, most persons who are not tired of the same old entertainment fare often opt to go to Alligator Pond on the south coast, where they can have seafood, a beach and music in one package at very inexpensive rates.
So while the good entertainment spots in Mandeville are hard to find, they are there, but you have to 'get connected' so you too can enjoy. Otherwise, enjoy the cool temperature and friendly people.
