Janet Silvera, Gleaner Writer 
WESTERN BUREAU:
A STAR-STUDDED group revelled at Round Hill; several tourists danced in the rain at Sunset Beach; yuppies invaded Bellefield Great House and Blue Beat, the Hip Strip's only martini/jazz bar, became a reality all in one night.
New Year's Eve in Montego Bay was sweltering hot, and this heat was at no time cooled by the rainfall that threatened to play havoc with the town's many events that heralded 2005.
At the 'World's Best Villa Resort', Round Hill, Michelle Pfeiffer's interior designer, Michael Smith, Julia Roberts' business partner, Deborah Schindler, and Blade Trinity's producer, Peter Frankfort watched with anticipation as fireworks spewed a kaleidoscope of colours in the sky.
In fact, the entire town of Hopewell and its environs were aroused to the spectacular effects and display of brilliance that lit the skyline exuberantly for seven minutes.
MESMERISED
Mesmerised by the commands from the inimitable 'Unique Vision Band', these same revellers obeyed every instruction, while the hotel's managing director, a dapper Josef Forstmayr, wearing a Prada dress suit and obviously pleased with the night's proceedings, smiled from ear to ear.
Forstmayr's 'right hand', Katrin Casserly, who is fast becoming a fashion model, adorned herself in a Simone 'Siim' Clarke ensemble. Her husband, Patrick, chose Dolce and Gabbana.
It was a night for caviar, oysters, lobster, rack of lamb, crab's legs, beef tenderloin, ham in puff pastries, asparagus and much more that graced the impressive dinner menu.
Casting director, Todd Thaler, famous producer, Jennifer Todd, New York art collectors, Nancy Olnick and Giorgio Spanu, Hollywood studio executive, James Costas, jewellery designer, Lise-anne Frankfort, the Maffessanti clan, Jackie and Lloyd Davis, Ritz-Carlton's Verona Rutty and husband, Henry, were just a few of the persons who partied the night away at this venue.
Meanwhile, at Sunset Beach Resort our arrival was greeted with the welcoming tone that blared in the lobby from the keyboards, drums, saxophones, guitars and vocal chords of the musicians who comprise the world famous Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires.
DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT CROWD
The crowd rubbing shoulders here was distinctly different from the previous location. Tourists danced in the rain, while the locals took cover. By 1:00 a.m., Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce President Winston Dear and wife, Denise, were burnt out, Dr. Anthony Vendryes and wife, Dorothy, were showing they could go as low as 'Tiney Winey' and Jaime and Camille Delgado chatted with friends inside the hotel lobby.
Courtney Hamilton was at this party, so were Judy Farmer, John Nallowicki, Kirk Taylor, and director of tourism, Paul Pennicook and Mrs. Pennicook.
By 1:30 a.m., it was time to check out party master DJ Murdock, at the event dubbed 'Spice' at the Bellefield Great House. This one was in full swing right beneath a tent. And, if only Rose Lee could see her son, Marcston, getting down.
Former Tourism Minister Francis Tulloch and wife, Doreen, were two of the few adults at this venue. The young giants, set to take control were out in their numbers. They included Damion McGann, Evon Gordon, Melissa Webb, Sherice Chambers, Uhma Williams and Kevin Palmer.
The final, most fulfilling and exhilarating stop was the newest bar on the Hip Strip, Blue Beat, where chocolate-tini (chocolate martini) and jazz razzmatazz coupled and made sweet love to the inner soul. Here Brian and Shelagh Jardim stuck together like glue, Michelle Tulloch made way for cleavage, Andre Dixon acquired his own female fan club, Devon Dobson became the man of the moment and Racquel and Aroon Dadlani checked in for a night cap.
