Janet Silvera, Gleaner Writer
(LEFT) From left: Donna Grant, hotel manager, Hedonism III, Sophia Le Aung, personal assistant to the general manager of Hedo III, and Claudia Titus, public relations manager of Couples Ocho Rios, in conversation at the JHTA Ocho Rios/Runaway Bay Chapter Annual Charity Ball. (RIGHT) Sheryl Robinson (left) and Alex Ghisays of Couples strike a pose at the ball.
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE TOWN that was energised last weekend was the cruise ship capital, Ocho Rios in St. Ann. When the last ship sailed towards sea, musical magicians 50/50 band took dominion of the town.
The party people at the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Ocho Rios/Runaway Bay Chapter's Annual Charity Ball rocked the night away at Ruins at the Waterfalls.
From as early as 8:00 p.m., drummer/vocalist Dr. Aggrey Irons and the other performers created undulating waves that forced several waistlines to gyrate to the sounds of soca, reggae, disco, and rhythm and blues.
EXECUTIVE CHEF FEELS THE RYTHM
Beres Hammond was not present, but when the group drew from that star's repertoire with Double Trouble, even the executive chef of Hedonism III was stimulated to drag himself a partner on to a makeshift dance floor at the back of the function area.
From Double Trouble the band ascended into She Loves Me Now, pulling one hit into another from the cool ruler's
catalogue.
The band 50-50 had feet glued to the dance floor, wannabe singers mimicking their every words, and Joyce Tweedie, the woman behind the ball, in a daze of happiness.
"We are hoping to raise $150,000 this year," she told The Gleaner. Over the last 16 years the JHTA has donated money from the event to charities such as the Family Planning (FAM Plan), Edge Hill Basic School, Windsor Girls' Home and the disabled in the surrounding communities.
This time around Tweedie pulled off the event with flying colours.
However, Saturday night was not just about the music and the charities, the wide array of food at the venue was more than adequate. From the mouth-watering cornmeal and potato pudding to the jerked pork and chicken and savoury cold cuts from the island's best chefs who prepared them, creative juices certainly flowed in the process.
GUESTS
Great food, good music and a worthy cause were complemented by the appearance of Rising Star finalist Dania Deacon, who gave an impromptu a cappella performance.
The party people who refused to stay home last Saturday included: Alex Ghisays and husband Christian, Winsome Chambers, Claudia Titus, Kevin Levee, Annabella and Peter Proudlock, Iva and Clive Baker, May Vieira, the artist Graham Davis, Donna Grant, Sophie Le Aung, Sheryl Robinson, Eva Myers. Flutist Maggie Mangraviti
welcomed persons at the start of the event, while La Viva's models gave 'brawta' with high and low fashion from stores based within the town.
It was ladies night out for the gorgeous 'quintuplet' who included Sandy Chin, Angie Rance, Tricia Todd, Suzanne Nelson and Caroline Grant.
Andrew, Annabelle and Sarah Todd, Freddie and Janet Marsh, Kumar and Veena Sujanani, Sally Hanburry, Barry Phillips and New York Times art critic Edward Gomez.
