Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Precious angels, not too long ago, and not too far in the past, Kingston was easily one of the most happening cities to be found in the world! The night-time offering ranged anywhere from civilised dining experiences to culturally enriching activities.

To begin with, there were the usual burlesque bars and/or nightclubs; some upscale cafes, great places of leisure in the three leading hotels; and on the seedier side, there were some downright seedy bars, patronised by the well-to-do, no less, that offered nude-dance by barely pubescent girls, and, of course, there were at least three or so openly gay nightclubs, not to mention on anygiven weekend a number of gay parties, offering the ultimate i entertainment.

Forget the gay nightclubs or parties. To venture into any of these, these days, is akin to playing Russian roulette, but sadly, Kingston's nightlife, save and excepting the offering by Ribbie Chung and his business partner Chris Cargill, has pretty much fallen on hard times, and thus leaving its residents and visitors with limited night-time options!

The once buzzing Red Hills Road (the original Hip Strip) has been reduced to little more than a ghetto, struggling to claw its way from the domination of political and criminal hacks and henchmen. New Kingston and its surroundings that once boasted eclectic entertainment fare is basically now quite hackneyed - it, too, giving way to criminals and their drug-induced disturbia.

Faced with declining social public amenities and/or recreational options, the well-to-do have eschewed public outings for the only practical option - entertaining in their homes. And so, with the opportunity ever decreasing for a civilised night out on the town for the upper classes, except for a few restaurants of note, more and more of the privileged classes have been investing in their fortified homes and the amenities therein.

Simply breathtaking

And while a garden theatre is not your commonplace type of amenity, this is exactly what businessman and security mogul Kenny Benjamin has tucked in his home in salubrious Stony Hill, and my daahlings, the place is simply breathtaking!

It's the 162nd anniversary of arrival of the East Indians here in the West Indies, but particularly here in Jamaica. To celebrate their arrival, Indian nationals and the Jamaica National Heritage Trust have been commemorating that arrival with a number of activities. Well, last Monday night, as part of that celebration, the Indian High Commissioner Kailash Agrawal and his wife Kiran Agrawal, and Kenny Benjamin, threw a swanky little reception and cultural fiesta at the security mogul's residence. My word, what a marvellous evening! Luvs, it proved as enchanting as it was edifying.

Dovecakes, the night belonged to the visiting dance troupe and musicians from India - The Surangama Dance Group - as luvs, theirs was a remarkable display of talent, discipline, and love and understanding of their preferred medium - Indian folk dance, with a fabulous accent on classical form and prose. It all made for one enriching and ever-evolving storyline, that kept getting richer as the dancers and musicians went through their programme.

There were stories of love, betrayal, denial, enchantment and delusion; and the story of the night - how a wife can use her charms to get her husband to buy her jewellery - all told through song and dance, and more dance. And luvs, the beauty of it all, not just the fluid execution of movements by inspiringly lithe bodies, but done in concert with some fabulous and colourful costumes!

The costumes of the dance group, as alive and colourful as the gardens themselves, blooming and spurting their own fabulous symphony of colours and beauty, and for my word, what a cantata and a half!

The performance was followed by a faultless Indian fare, and we are talking good here! Fabulous Indian cuisine of the order rarely to be found in commercial establishments. And with Andrew Henry and his Renegade Disco adding the right musical touch, dinner and the post- dinner lyme proved faultless!

those who made it

Now, as for those who made the cut - of family, friends and diplomatic and consular colleagues included: The Most Honourable Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, looking positively flawless; Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell; Tourism and Industry Minister Aloun Assamba; her Deputy Dr. Wykeham McNeill and wife Sheila Benjamin McNeill, and his mom Valerie McNeill; the stunningly fab Suzie Benjamin and daughter Brooke Benjamin; the lovely Aloima Suarez; RJR's Lester Spaulding and companion Carolyn Moo-Young; German Ambassador HE Volker Schlegel; HE Ambassador and Chen Jinghua of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China; Canadian High Commissioner HE Denis Kingsley and wife, the charming Jo Ann Kingsley; Chilean Ambassador HE Alfanso Silva; Mexican Ambassador HE Leonora Rueda; Ambassador of the Dominican Republic HE Filomena Navarro; Head of Delegation ISA HE Ambassador Satya Nandan; Charge d'affaires Republic of Korea Hosung Lee; Dean of the Consular Corp and Honorary Consul of Norway and Grantley Stephenson; Honorary Consul of Iceland Robert MacMillan.

Also present were: Honorary Consul of Lithuania Lois Lake Sherwood; William Tavares-Finson and his lovely wife Sandy Tavares-Finson. Honorary Consul of Switzerland Ulrich Bangerter; Tanny Shirley; Cindy Breakspeare; Al Niazi; the lovely Janet Farrow; Dr. Akshai and Gunjan Mansing (who guided guests through the various dances by providing historical insight and context); Businessman of the Year Dr. Henry Lowe; Dr. Dhiru and Marceline Garg; William Potopsingh and wife Dr. Ruth Potopsingh; Winston and Cecile Watson; Evan and Betsy Williams and their daughter Enola Williams; Vinay Walia; the oh-so-charming Sonja Sutherland Dumetz; Courtney and Tracey Rattray; Robert Haughton; Audrey Miller; Robert and Odette Epstein; Miranda Ragbeir; Richard and Marie Josephs and the charming Sheraine Murray, among others.