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A 'Hip' New Year!

Published:Sunday | January 6, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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Dr Jacqueline Chambers-Roberts (right) and Kelly-Anne Chin dancing up a storm at the Blue Beat New Year's Eve party.
Christan Espinet and Stephanie Llanos cosying up at the Blue Beat on New Year's Eve.
Photographer Denise Mason comes from behind her own lens and strikes a picture-perfect pose at New Year's Eve on the Hip Strip in Montego Bay.
Caribbean Producers Jamaica's Hugh Logan and his wife Michelle were among the first to open the dance floor at OceanStyle's Sophisticate New Year's Eve party at the Seawind Beach Club.
The RIU Montego Bay crew was out in their numbers on New Year's Eve and we have the photo to prove it! Tina Dunbar (left) and husband Robert (centre), Angella Bennett (second left) and friend Sophia Swaby (second right) and Rose Skinner at the OceanStyle's Sophisticate New Year's Eve party at the Seawind Beach Club.
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Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The whiff of marijuana, mixed with jerked fare, captivated the senses diminishing any scent of the best perfume the scantily dressed women donned to ring in 2013 on the hippest strip in the Caribbean, Gloucester Avenue, Monday night.

Not much had changed in the last 15 years; this was the strip to party come New Year's Eve, even if "I can't afford" to enter Margaritaville Caribbean, Blue Beat Jazz Club, Sexy Lizard or any other venue in the area.

The strip was like a conversation piece and throngs that stood watching like window shoppers knew this. The cars and their drivers who slowed to drink up the excitement on Gloucester Avenue New Year's Eve also knew this.

Again, this year, the Hip Strip received stiff competition from east and west, but it remained on top.

At the Seawind Beach Club, OceanStyle's Sophisticate used a beautiful feline, covered in Sushi to get their 'By Invitation Only' guests' attention. At midnight, the who-is-who list of party people were privy to the impressively stunning fireworks that went off at the Secrets Resorts and Spas.

Douglas Gordon and his team went all out showcasing splendid décor, sending a signal this was the continuation of great things in the future with the Seawind Beach Club crew.

Next door, Ian Kerr, Evatt Bloomfield and their team threw what can easily be tagged one of the best parties for 2012. The winning combination of the Errol Lee Dragonnaires band proved again, this year, that this is one event not to be missed.

On the hip strip, where it was better to park and walk, Kamal Bankay delivered on his promise to soak the loins of the young and fearless. This party, over the years, has been a favourite among the yuppies, craving for lots of fun, great music and a
superb vibe.

To close off 2013 properly, the
Outlook team stopped in at Sonny Rankine's 'Total
Togetherness' Ball, at the Caribbean Showplace in Ironshore. Celebrating
20 years of existence, yes, this was the party for top-shelf liquor,
including Moët and Chandon, Moët Rose Gold, Jack of Spades, and the
faithful Dom Pérignon.

Happy New Year to you our
readers, as we continue to take you to places some people only dream
of!

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

Photos by Janet Silvera