HEDONISM III in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, is planning a series of weekends geared toward making the holiday more than cavorting on sea and sand. Though it would seem that they have enough to satisfy any hedonistic soul with their toga or pyjama parties, a water slide, several pools, disco, piano bar and, of course, the famous clothing option, the resort is spicing up its offerings and while doing so, lending a more Jamaican flavour to the hotel.
The next event on the package takes place this weekend, September 17 - 20, and should set all fugee-loving hearts aflutter as Wyclef Jean will headline the list of performers for the weekend. The event dubbed the 'Bangin Bikini Beach Party at Wet and Wild Hedonism' is an annual. However, due to the nefarious deeds which took place nine-eleven last year, it had been cancelled.
The bikini Beach party includes the Philadelphia's Power 99 FM family which will engage in a live broadcast. The station is an Urban Contemporary Station broadcasting Hip Hop, R&B, Gospel, Reggae, and "old school Jams". The hotel promises that the weekend will be filled with "wild" parties by the beach and by the pool, theme nights and live concerts.
The addition of a greater Jamaican flavour began recently, with two days and two nights of erotic and sensual poetry. The event featured Gina Rey Forest, Duane Francis, Connie Bell, Glen Laughton and Rodney Campbell and guest were exposed to poetry at varying time in the day. Poetry was read by the nude pool, by the main pool, at the sunset deck and also on the main stage by the main dining area.
The hotel's resident manager, Brian Sang, noted that the guests at Hedonism are just regular people who have regular jobs and varying interests, which explains their decision to offer not only physical stimulation but mental ones. He described the weekend as, "a coming together of the mind and the body." Along with the five local poets, the weekend featured four male exotic dancers from Washington DC - Hypnotize, The Total Package, Nymphomaniac and The Assassin.
The Jamaican flavour continues in October when guests of the hotel will have their taste buds set afire with Hedonism II Jerkfest 2002, which promises to "free your inner jerk" a possibly frightening concept for the ultra conservative.
Jerkfest 2002, promises to be a "colourful variety of traditional Jamaican Culinary Delights". The menu will include hot potato pone, gizzadas, fricasse, escovitched, curry and, of course, jerk. There will also be snowcones, coconut jellies and a variety of Jamaican rums.
Jamaican music, will also not be ignored. The event will also include mento, ska, folk, and reggae. Jamaican craft will also be on display. The offering is rounded off with palm and tea-leaf readers.
Tanya Batson
