Kesi Asher, Staff Reporter
Carlos Max-Brown (second left) celebrates his 45th birthday with Sophia Max-Brown, (second right) and friends at Yardi Gras party, held at Carlos' Café, Belmont Road, New Kingston, on Saturday. - PHOTOS BY WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
CARLOS MAX-BROWN entered his mid-forties with grace, style, Mardi Gras beads, a big hat and many well wishers.
Yardi Gras, held on Saturday at Carlos' Café on Belmont Road, saw many patrons turning out to wish Carlos well as he celebrated his 45th birthday. His birthday was actually January 16, but he chose to celebrate with a 'party for the people'.
"It's wonderful to celebrate with lovely people. It's not really about my birthday, this party is for the people. I use my birthday to say thank you to the people who support me," Carlos said.
"I know you're not supposed to say what you wish, but I'm going to tell you. My wish is that you'll all come back next year," Carlos said after blowing out the candles on the birthday cake.
Among the well wishers at the party was Reneto Adams, who was present for the festivities from 8:00 p.m., long before the bulk of the crowd arrived. With a broad smile and in a very jubilant mood, he sang compliments to the gathering.
"The party is good, the party is beautiful, nice women, a lot of men. It's really an excellent occasion. I'm everything, carnival and dancehall," Adams said.
GIFTS FOR THE PATRONS
Where there is a party, you'll find gifts, usually for the celebrant. However, the prizes that were given away were for the patrons.
Prizes in the form of gift baskets were given away to, among others, a lady who had on a black thong with buckles, a man who could wear ladies 'high heel' shoes, and the woman who collected the most Mardi Gras beads.
The music was entertaining as DJ Krazy Kris from Kool FM spun hip hop, reggae, oldies and alternative hits. The performing band, Black Zebra, did covers of Jimmy Hendricks' Hey Jo, Willy Dixon's Hoochie Coochie Man and White Stripe's Seven Nation Army.
The band also did two original songs, Right Now and Stay Cool. Black Zebra's alternative sound was a mixture of country and western and heavy metal and reggae. The crowd felt the energy and the response from the many hands that clapped, earned them many more stripes.
Psychic readings and candles and incense were available for the guests' enjoyment and the men were treated to a dance show done by scantily clad dancing girls, atop sound boxes.
At one a.m., guests continued to arrive in droves to fill the already packed venue. The night's activities shifted into overdrive with much more music. While some socialised, relaxed and made the bar their spot, others made good use of their dancing shoes and put their feet to work.
The night was filled with energy and Carlos Max-Brown celebrated his birthday in fine style.
