Photo by Mark Titus
Finance Minister Audley Shaw and his lovely lady Susan Duhaney are picture perfect at the wedding of Donald Trump Apprentice star Muna Heaven and Bertram Hill Jr. at the Tryall Club last Saturday.

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

My dears, Kenny Benjamin's party has for years been the pre-eminent New Year's Eve social event in the city - the party that above all else places a premium on creating and/or facilitating a relaxed atmosphere in his salubrious gardens, for the complete enjoyment of guests.

Little wonder then, my dears, that not only is this premier event regarded as a must-attend for the invited, but there have also been many gate-crashers.

Residents of this fab capital and a slew of international personalities plan their annual holidays to coincide with the annual Kenny Benjamin's season-ending shindig.

This year, the fabulous Cindy Breakspeare transformed the stage of the garden theatre into an expansive sitting lounge, in a white motif, accentuated by throw rugs (Persian, of course) and oversize brass and copper pots; while the lawns surrounding the stage reflected a café-style setting. A giant-size TV monitor provided glimpses of the party area as well as the latest in video music clips.

Great party

Luvs, the invitations did not make this stipulation, but it seems that guests checked their egos, titles and professions before entering the Benjamin estate, taking along only their dancing shoes and an appetite for a great party. And so party they did to the refreshing music of Andrew Henry and his Renegade Disco.

My daahlings, there was no forced jocularity or hilarity here. No forced midnight smooches or rush to the dance floor to see in the new year, as it simply was not that kind of a party.

Oh, my word, what a celebration!

No stinting on the good vibes here, as upon entering the home, guests were welcomed with by beautifully clad hostesses who offered one's preferred martini, from the bar, then ushered to the kiosk for party favours of choice, and then up the stairs and into the entertainment cathedral, and from there on into the early hours of Tuesday, January 1. It was all about celebrating life, love and family.

Amid the partying, someone remembered the countdown: there was a rush of premium champagne, a flush of emotions as friends and neighbours kissed and embraced each other, then it was back to the celebrations on hand!

Doves, it was as hot as hot gets and then some!

Notables

And an august body of guests, too, as among the notables were: Finance Minister Audley Shaw and his companion, the lovely Susan Duhaney; Opposition MP Dr. Peter Phillips and his fabulous wife Sandra Minott-Phillips; Senator Trevor McMillan and his wife Dr. Olivia McDonald; MP and Junior Minister Andrew Gallimore and wife Nicole Gallimore; Opposition Shadow Tourism Minister Dr. Wykeham McNeill and his très fab wife Mrs. Sheila Benjamin McNeill and their children Ashley Fernandez and Jordan McNeill; attorney John Junor and his wife Urla.

We spotted: Russian Ambassador Viktor Zotin; head of the ISA, Satya Nandan and his elegant wife Zarine Nandan; retired head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Gerd Jarchow, and his wife Mara Mandara Jarchow; his son Oliver Jarchow and his lovely wife Floreen Jarchow, the stunning Suzie Benjamin and son, Nicolas Benjamin; his companion, the lovely Aloima Suarez; Joe Matalon and his lovely wife Bernadette McKinley Matalon; businessman Las Chin and his wife Dr. Eileen Gonzales-Chin; legal luminary Christopher Bovell and his wife fashion doyenne Michelle Bovell.

Professor Dr. Trevor Munroe and his wife Ingrid Munroe; Canadian multimillionaire Ron Kelly and his charming wife Bonnie Kelly; J. Lester Spaulding and his companion Carolyn Moo-Young; Richard Russell and the fabulous Sophia MaxBrown, and her dad Rudolph MaxBrown; Drs. Dhiru and Laura Tanna; Eran and Tina Spiro; Mr. and Mrs. Greg Christie; Dr. and Mrs. Henry Rainford; Toro and Karen Ziadie; Grantley and Judith Stephenson; Patrick Lynch and his très elegant wifeMarguerite Lynch; Rae Barrett; Steve Ashley and his fab wife Betty-May Ashley; Rivi and Maggie Gardner; the elegant Stella Henry; Ron Brown and wife Valerie Juggan-Brown; Tanny and Madge Shirley; Ian Garbutt and his companion, the lovely Sonia Khan; Rupert Bent and wife Cindy Breakspeare; JH Dunstan and his fab wife Audrey Marks; Milton and Christine Brady; Glen Case and the lovely Minna Israel and hosts too numerous to mention.