Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
Owner of the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall, Michele Rollins (centre), wears a necklace that became a conversation piece. Here she explains the intracacies to Dominique Peterkin (left) of Chukka Caribbean Adventures and Walter Elmore of Turn Key Productions during the Virgin Atlantic party at her 17th-century Rose Hall Great House on Tuesday night. - PHOTOS BY JANET SILVERA.
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE LEGENDARY White Witch of Rose Hall, Annie Palmer, reincarnated as a virginal Amanda Wills and appeared on the verandah of the Rose Hall Great House on Tuesday night with one of her many English lovers - Sir Richard Branson - in tow.
Wills, managing director of Virgin Atlantic Airways, and Branson, her boss, were part of the mystique which included tarot card and palm readers and even showy vampires! All took their place on the grounds of the 17th-century great house while revellers danced, frolicked and mingled incessantly.
The Branson A-team had proven once again that they had mastered the art of throwing a spectacle.
Bent on making their presence in Jamaica felt, an impressive invitation list of 700 specially selected guests costing nearly J$3 million, was just how the unorthodox and uniquely creative group planned on showcasing their final night in paradise.
Outside of the appearance of Bond girl, Caterina Murino, reggae's sexy star Maxi Priest played right into everyone's hearts, supported by party band Fab Five.
DOWN MEMORY LANE
Left: The United Kingdom's Derrick Evans (Mr. Motivator) and his wife Palmer take time out to pose for the cameras at the party. Right: From the look of things, Sir Richard Branson's mother, Eve, mirrors her son in every way. Here she dances with family friend Jason Felts at the party. - PHOTOS BY JANET SILVERA
Priest, a master of the game, had guests obeying his every command. Opening with Dennis Brown's Should I Put My Trust In You, he took the audience down memory lane with 'Just a little bit longer baby' exuding magnetism on stage. His sidekick Red Fox who joined him on stage was just as good.
Priest's set was followed by Jamaica's number one party band the Fab Five with Frankie Campbell at the control.
Strategically placed all around the property were bars from which witches brew, rum and fruit punches were served. However, it was the Caribbean Producer's Grey Goose and Bombay Sapphire that kept bartenders busy.
Ritz-Carlton owner Michele Rollins' amber two-nation necklace, assembled in Denmark and New York, was the night's conversation piece.
Sir Richard's mom Eve did her thing on the dance floor, his son Sam looked very shy while the airline owner's father maintained his cool in his wheelchair.
Those who found time to mingle included: Jamaica's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Gail Mathurin, director-general of tourism, Carolle Guntley, executive director of the Caribbean Hotel Association, Alec Sanguinetti and wife Flavia, acting director of tourism, Donnie Dawson, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association President Horace Peterkin and Executive Director, Camille Needham. British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell and his companion Dr. Barbara Munske, Ian Kerr, Sue McManus, Senator Noel and Sheron Sloley, Henry and Jennifer McCurdy, Pauline Reid, Mark and Paula Kerr Jarrett, Ann and Gordon Townsend, Scott Robbins and Trisha Bridge, Gary Hendrikson, Tom McNamara, Angela Bennett, Carol Reid, Norma Taylor, Kingsley Cooper and Romae Gordon, Peter Komposch, Sonia Rickards, John Baker, Carol and Richard Bourke, David Roper, Aroon and Racquel Dadlani, Pamella Fenton Reese and daughter Kimberly, Wayne Sterling, Wayne Cummings, Elizabeth Fox, Rachel Pilgrim, Charles and Opal Spence.
As for Sir Richard Branson, after a whale of a time Tuesday night, he flew out early on Wednesday morning to his fabulous 'Necker Island' in the British Virgin Islands.
