Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

Grace Jones

Boo! It's Halloween and the ghouls, ghosts, goblins and other assorted demons and revellers are all set to make it a memorable Halloween, as they party up a storm later tonight at Jamaica's internationally acknowledged party resorts, Hedonism II and III in Negril and Runaway Bay, respectively!

Beset by ennui, the fab, having grown tired of the seemingly eternal United States presidential campaign, the international economic downturn and the fallout nationally from the crash of the 'get-rich-quick' schemes that were doling out cash to all and sundry, have all thrown caution to the wind at least for this weekend as they jet in and motor over to the always buzzing resorts to party away the blues! And what better place to shake off the blues than at the unrepentantly fabulous premier party destinations this side of the Caribbean.

The Hedo way

And with Hedonism II celebrating its 27th anniversary this Saturday, y'all know that not only is Negril in, but for many a guest it will be a tale of the two Hedonism resorts, as many a guest will see in All-Hallowed's-Eve, at Hedonism III tonight, then motor over to Negril for the smasheroni of a celebration tomorrow, to mark the fab concept now known and celebrated internationally as the Hedo way! Rain or shine, it is definitely all about Hedonism and with this very British weather, the partying cannot begin soon enough!

And, speaking of things fabulous, the musical world and party animals everywhere on this here planet awaited with bated breath for the comeback CD of the one-time high-flying diva and queen of the underground nightclub scene, the seemingly immortal Grace Jones!

Well it's been like that since her guest appearance at last year's Meltdown Festival, where she sang Trust In Me. Her fans and media entertainment writers who thought that the diva from Spanish Town had lost it were not only surprised to find that she had not, but also that interest in her and her music by her fans had not waned. If anything, the international club scene was desperately awaiting the return of the heady days of the New York, Parisian, London and Frankfurt, when music was art and those who performed were artists. Re-enter Grace Jones, and it's hip to go nightclubbing once again!

Fabulous at 60

And to top it all, the absolutely fabulous Jones, at 60, is looking twice as fab as she did in her earlier heady days! And so it is, that under the guidance of her on-again off-again beau, Ivor Guest, the fourth Viscount Wimborne, and with the Rhythm Twins solidly in her corner, the 'Nubian Warrior Goddess of Pop-Culture' is all set to make her re-entry into the world of music, fashion, art and fantasy with her much-anticipated comeback CD, Hurricane, made available to her fans and music lovers on Monday (October 27), with its headliner Corporate Cannibal, earning raving reviews on the underground club scene. Daahlings, as Hurricane hits music stores everywhere, dare we hope that Jones will make a promotional stop, at the Hurricane Disco at Hedonism III?

Meanwhile, she continues to be a slave to her rhythms, and her fans, local and international, party on with her, but more anon about Hurricane!

Then, my dears, it's definitely the Age of Scorpio, and as they celebrate, parties there are aplenty.

Last Friday, it was all about the ageless beauty and former Miss World, Cindy Breakspeare, who celebrated her birthday at her fave rave, as friends and well-wishers joined her to toast the occasion with her hubby, Capt Rupert Bent; and her son and hunk, Christian Tavares-Finson and companion Tammy McConnell.

The buzz was it was a lovefest as it was all about the ties that bind as a list of long-time friends, including Ronnie and Suzie Burke; Susan Couch; sisters, Nancy and Virginia Burke; Suzette Chin-Loy; and Nadine McNeill, out for the do.

The fab life

Style icon, Mignon Anderson Wright celebrated on Tuesday. Ambassador Courtney Walsh shrugged off his loss in his attempt to head the Jamaica Cricket Association to toast his birthday yesterday. Former trade administrator, Claude Fletcher, will celebrate his birthday on Tuesday November 4, when Americans worldwide will be casting their ballots and or anticipating the outcome of their presidential elections. And come Saturday November 8, author, Beverley Anderson Manley will celebrate another year of the fab life!

Also celebrating on Saturday, will be young Brandon Benjamin, while restaurateur Rajiv Bakshi will take the honours on Sunday November 9. Fab wishes all around with champagne toasts!

Beverley Anderson Manley

Cindy Breakspeare

Courtney Walsh