Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Saleem Lazarus(left) and Beverly Anderson Manley. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
SOOO, MANY parties, soo little time. My dears, the party season is upon us in full swing, as, in addition to the traditional slew of Yuletide parties, more and more people are celebrating their birthdays or marking anniversaries and milestones.
Luvs, it's been one fab week so far, with Monday seeing the charming Vivienne Swaby celebrating her birthday, and her son, playboy Patrick Reid, celebrating his special day yesterday. Restaurateur Rajiv Bakshi, of Akbar and Peppers fame, and just back from Europe and India, celebrated his on Wednesday. On Tuesday, however, it was all about the elegant and oh so fabulous Beverly Anderson Manley as she marked her special day in quiet mode with companion Dr. D.K. Duncan.
Also celebrating on Tuesday were the lovely Sandy Tavares-Finson, who made it an all-girls affair at one of Kingston's leading restaurants; and the infant son of security conglomateur Kenny Benjamin and his Cuban companion, the lovely Aloima Suarez, Brandon Benjamin, who celebrated his first birthday. Saleem Lazarus celebrates today, and partying there will be a-plenty.
Dears, best wishes all around and champagne toasts, y'all.
CARLOS' CAFE - CUTTING-EDGE ENTERTAINMENT
Sweet-things, last Saturday night, the hot Belmont Road, New Kingston establishment, Carlos' Café, marked its 15th anniversary.
Dears, it was that kind of a party - champagne, glamour and definitely glitter, with proprietor Carlos MaxBrown looking his dapper self; his mom and sibling, Karlene and Sophia MaxBrown, looking as fab as ever, as they too joined in the celebrations.
Here's an innovative night spot and day and night time eatery. It has remained at the heart of Kingston's entertainment nerve centre over the years, as its cutting-edge entertainment offerings and Broadway-style cabaret dancing have not only carved a name for themselves, but have withstood the seasonal vagaries that oft afflict entertainment concerns in the nation's capital, and in the process, cause their early demise.
DOGGIE CATWALK
It was originally scheduled for last Thursday, but it rained torrents, causing a postponement. However, the charming GM of the Jamaican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA), Kayleigh Malcolmson, promises that the wine and cheese party and pet fashion show that was scheduled for the Guardsman Group, 107 Old Hope Road headquarters - planned to raise funds to assist with the care of the very many orphaned and abandoned animals under the care of JSPCA - will now take place this Saturday.
Dears, at last count, there were over 400 tickets sold and growing, as the buzz was this unique fashion show and wine and cheese fest promises to be a fab fest, and then some. The buzz in polite society is that a number of celebrities and their designer pets will be definitely hitting the catwalk for this noble cause, with their pets strutting some designer wear, and then some!
Pumpkins, it promises to be all that, so y'all know this here scribe and animal lover wouldn't miss this baby for a week on pre-Giuliani 42nd Street!
Yup, its like that - hot-to-trot, and then some!
And speaking of New York, dears, the 'A-crowd' contingent that flew into New York last weekend for the annual staging of the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) gala, are only just returning after what was a fab outing for a noble cause.
The hot word out of this year's do, however, is that Opposition Leader Bruce Golding was in fine mettle, his wife Lorna, looking fiercely fabulous. Also making an appearance was U.S. Ambassador Designate Brenda LaGrange Johnson, and her family.
Now, the word is she should arrive here in Kingston soon, but don't roll out the red-carpet just yet y'all, because it's been almost a year since Ambassador Sue Cobb departed our shores and Kingston has been awaiting the arrival of the new U.S. envoy with bated breath. Anyways, whenever Mrs. La Grange Johnson gets here, she will find a welcoming community. We only wish it were sooner, rather than later.
But back to the AFJ gala and fund-raiser. U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel was out, as were former ambassadors to Jamaica: Ambassador Stan McLelland; Ambassador Sue Cobb and hubby, Ambassador Charles Cobb; Ambassador Glen and Gloria Holden; and former Acting Head of Mission Lacy Wright and wife Jackie Bong-Wright. Also out were East Coast socialites Sydney and Sunny Engle. Robert MacMillan was the auctioneer and compère for the event. Also attending the event were: Foreign Affairs Minister, the Hon. K.D. Knight; the Hon. Maurice and Valerie Facey; Hon. Oliver Clarke and wife Monica Ladd; Richard and Diana Stewart; Janet Farrow; Paul and Becky Stockhausen; Peter Millingen; Anna Chin; the fab Allison Peart, plus a number of other notables.
Then, the former socialite and designer to the fabulous Peggy McLean - whose annual Klothes Kollection was the hallmark of the fashion season back in the '80s - was in the city, last week.
Since migrating to the Big Apple, the one-time grand dame of couture has been making a kind of annual trek back to the island, hosting a mobile boutique in which she showcases the latest in fab designs to a shortlist of the city's more fashionable ladies, using the modelling talent of the runway and print stars of that era.
Well my dears, Ms. McLean's annual showcase was hosted on Sunday at a private address in the city's Golden Triangle, and the buzz is, it was all that: Signature Peggy McLean fabulousness fabulous clothes; snob society in its numbers; and definitely a hot outing! So much so that fans of the former leading designer are begging that she make this part and parcel of the now-celebrated Caribbean Fashion Week.
Pumpkins, more anon, as this would definitely represent a fabulous addition to the Caribbean fashion event.
Then the big question on everyone's lips all week has been: What happened to the Dionne Warwick concert?
Dears, did the ageing superstar arrive at all? Did she actually perform? Hello please, if y'all know, then please share the information, as certainly, this is emerging as one of the best-kept secrets of the season.
KINGSTON RESTAURANT WEEK
You do not have to be decked out in Sunday best, but the ghetto-gladiator look is a definite no-no, as tomorrow is the beginning of the historic Kingston Restaurant Week. And honeys, this week-long event is a must attend for the up-and-coming, the fabulous, and of course, the well-to-do, as my dears, it does not get any better than this!
My dears, think about it: premier restaurants, as the city's leading restaurants and eateries will not only be showcasing their best and or signature dishes, they will be offering them at discounted prices. So there, no excuses for those constantly bemoaning prices as the reason for not dining out more.
DINING-OUT TIPS
Now, some little tips, for those venturing out for the first time:
Silverware: Start on the outside and work your way in to the plate for each course.
Do not use the napkin for the boisterous clearing of the nasal passage.
The toothpick is not a fashion accessory and should not be left dangling from the corner or centre of the mouth. If you must use same, it's best to do so in the privacy of the restroom, or as discreetly as possible, if still at the table.
A mobile phone ringing constantly during dinner, or prominently displayed, is not a sign of your status, but more so of your lack of sophistication.
And remember y'all, berating or peppering the waiter with cryptic comments is not a reflection on the service being provided, but more so a reflection of your own insecurities.
Absolutely no loud burping!
Never wave your silverware in the air like weapons of mass destruction.
Do not speak with your mouth full.
Resist the temptation to request a doggie bag.
Those from a certain group who love free every thing, please pay for your food for a change and remember to tip generously.
Now, bon appétit, y'all!
