Chester Francis-Jackson
, ContributorLAST SUNDAY, the only destination for the A-crowd, the fabulous, the chic and the arty, was definitely the fab little village of Harmony Hall, just outside of Ocho Rios, St Ann and Tower Isle, St Mary.
The venue a fabulous resort-styled villa, with acres and acres of rolling grounds, rolling up to the very edge of the Caribbean Sea the occasion, the birthday party of Ocho Rios restaurateur, socialite and powerbroker and grand dame, the charmingly lovely Eva Myers.
Daahlings, the invites hit the PCs of those who were expected to join the celebrant, in milestone some weeks ago, and from the very get-go, there was a mad scramble on to secure the all-important invite to what was easily going to be one of the North Coast town, event of the year!
Well, doves, the rush was on, and little wonder here as, indeed, since having made Ocho Rios her home some near three decades ago, the charming Italian-born American Jamaican Mrs. Myers has not only been an ardent campaigner for the cause of Ocho Rios proper. She has also been a bedrock of support for charitable causes and a celebrated bon vivant. Hers is a social schedule that boasts fabulous brunches, intimate soirees, grand dinner parties, and always fabulous society. So, little wonder indeed, that on the occasion to mark her 60th, hers was a coveted invite.
Well, for those who made the cut, the invite did advise to wear glitz, shorts, as well as to carry a blanket. If the reason for the blanket was not quite clear initially, it became fabulously so, as guests began filing in to the absolutely marvelous Villa Viento property, last Sunday, for the celebrations!
Now, Dears, the Villa Viento, is a resort styled property, designed with fabulous partying in mind! Doves, we are talking acres of lawns, gazebos, party-sized pool towering banyan trees set on the edge of the blue azure of the Caribbean sea, her sprays crashing ever so often into the coral bordering the frontal view of the property, and spraying so magnificently in the air, the droplets of water dazzling before falling away, to repeat its magic.
With the party time listed as from midday , there was no mistaking the mood of the party girl as indeed, girls just wanna have fun and, after all, why throw a party if not to enjoy it! And why acknowledge a birthday, if not to celebrate it!
Mindful of the mid-day sun, the hostess had one giant marquee installed between the beachfront gazebos and decorated to a tee, dripping nothing but comfort and haute style.
A smaller version, set to the front and right of the hospitality marquee for the 50/50 Band that was charged with the evening's musical entertainment.
The rest of the party area dominated by a fabulous villa, with a grand verandah, pool and deck and fabulous green spaces!
With guests pouring in from just after mid-day, the stage was being set for a simply wonderful affaire, and when the dust finally settled, there was no doubt among those left standing that indeed, it was simply one awesomely fabulous affaire! A toast even to the fabulousness of birthday girl Eva Myers.
Oh, what a party! Dears, the birthday girl was looking fiercely fabulous in Little Red Riding Hood red and sporting glitter as she welcomed her many guests to the party. And as guests poured in they began lounging picnic style on the grounds of the fabulously manicured lawns; others even opting for a swim in the pool.
Now lunch was an absolute feast and then some! Served just shy of 4:00 p.m. and for my word, it was a feast fit for the gods.
Now sometime after lunch, the 50/50 band took to the entertainment marquee, and with a repertoire that practically most of the guests in attendance were familiar, all hell broke loose on the lawns of Villa Viento as the guests danced and pranced up one fabulous storm and then some!
Doves, we are talking of the music of ska, rocksteady, reggae, dancehall, blues, and even a spiritual medley. It was a musical fare that went down well and so people danced and danced and danced, and danced It was a total blast, and then some!
And then there were the guests! Dovecakes, north coast royalty and snob-society, with a sprinkling of the polloi, but it all made for a fabulous do!
Among those out, included: Custos of St. Mary, Bobby Pottinger; His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Bobby Montaque; the Hon. Robert MacMillan, his sibling, famed artist Judy-Ann MacMillan; Tony and Sheila Hart; Col. Hurley and Dorothea Whitehorne; Onesto and Josie Maffisanti; Chris Parnell; Peter and Annabella Proudlock; Joe Matalon and companion Bernadette McKinley Morin; Danny and Carol Melville; Carlton and Winsome Levy; Michael Campbell; Karen Rhone; James Samuels; the elegant Gina Pinder; Johnathan and Sheilagh Routh; Eurtis (Squire, to family and friends) Morrison; his son Alfred also out; Franklyn McKnight and his two sons; the fabulous Maxine Walters; Paul Chang; Cedella Booker (Mother B, to friends and family); Diane Jobson; celebrated artist, Colin Garland; Anthony and Kate Moyston; Janna Brascht; Kevin Levee and his gorgeous wife Cecile and their two beautiful daughters Kennedy and Spencer; Michael Henriques and Lucille Young; Lloyd Record; Diana McIntyre-Pike; songbird Susan Couch; Jimmy Bruce; Sonja Griffiths; Gloria Yapp and son Daryl; KyAnn Walker; Mr. and Mrs. Sanju Chatani; Carolyn Schleiffer; Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Simmonds; Judy Schoenbein; Zoda; Andy Chin and Nancy Chatani; Dawn Eckval; Clinton Beam; Councillor Carol Jackson of Ocho Rios; Robert Haughton; Faith Thomas; AnneMarie McNeil; Luca and Valerio of Bella Italian Ice Cream; and the lovely Sophia Leahong; plus several
others.
