Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Veteran entertainer, songwriter, composer and singer, Boris Gardiner, is seemingly tickled being fed with a jelly coconut by Nurse Joy Crooks, executive director of the Committee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill (CUMI), following his performance at the RBTT Bank Customer Appreciation event, held at the Sandals Royal Caribbean Cay in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, recently. Gardiner says he will soon be releasing a new CD entitled 'Reggae Songs of Love'.- Photo by Noel Thompson

WESTERN BUREAU:

Fireworks, a 1937 traffic stopping Ford coupé, Moet and Chandon flowing continuously, the legendary Byron Lee and a declaration by The Event Place , all rang in the New Year in Montego Bay on Sunday night.

Jamaica's tourism capital without a doubt had its fair share of excitement this New Year's Eve commencing with the chic and elegant ball at the home of the rich and famous, Round Hill Hotel and Villas.

As is customary, the resort attracted celebrated English actor, Ewan McGregor, the McCain family; of the one and only McCain Frozen Foods empire in Canada, Europe's Lord and Lady Gould, United States Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson and husband Howard, who like all other emissaries before her time, obviously loves the west!

Hosted by the dapper Josef Forstmayr and his svelte cousin Katrin Casserly, Round Hill flew in the Cuban group, Habana Brothers, to stimulate and accentuate the moves to merengue and salsa.

Round Hill's fireworks aroused the quiet neighbouring Hopewell community with its shimmering lights and the citizens as far as downtown Montego Bay experienced the treat.

doctor's orders

The next stop was Sunset Beach Resort and Spa, where Byron Lee, who had recently been discharged from hospital, defied his doctor's orders and appeared onstage, declaring, "For the last five years I have spent New Year's Eve with you (the large audience) and there was no way I was going to miss being with you tonight."

Giving thanks and praise for his life on earth, Lee and his Dragonaires went straight into the song, "There is no secret what God can do." Like a church service among redeemers, the incredibly talented party band made its way clear with the Almighty before going into a repertoire of soca music.

This was the party that offered a gastronomic feast, topped with musical explosion of the best in the business.

Over on the Hip Strip, Gloucester Avenue, traffic went at a snail's pace admiring the innovative Blue Beat team which had transformed the area into the 1930s era.

Just outside its doors, the Jazz lounge, parked a 1937 Limited Edition, blue Ford coupé, a favourite of Al Capone and Howard Hughes and a 1971 red Triumph, which was driven by Dustin Hoffman during the filming of Papillion.

Blue Beat's staff were adorned in clothing befitting the period, while the atmosphere inside the joint resembled somewhere in the midst of New Orleans.

Away from the Hip Strip, another party was in full swing at 'The Event Place' - where the setting was more like 'home sweet home.' Here Joan Lee and partner April Parchment played the perfect hosts.

However, the party of parties, ringing in the New Year was Sonny Rankine's annual ball at Caribbean Showplace. At 3:00 a.m., Hummers, F150s, and all makes of SUVs, were just about rolling in.

Women were dressed to the nine, men tried with immense success to outdo the ladies and Moet and Chandon, Alize and Cristal were the drinks of choice.

At 5:00 a.m., Rankine, friend 'Bighead' and a host of supporters were just ready to party.