The luxurious Ritz Carlton hotel in Montego Bay is the hot spot for tourists looking to enjoy true Jamaican hospitality, sun and sea.
But two Saturdays ago, the many guests who converged on the property were in house to soak up something different. They were all anxious to see Canadian comedian Russell Peters live. For the very first time in Jamaica, Peter performed before a large audience inside the resort’s impressive ballroom.
Prior to the show, guests warmed up with cocktails on the terrace. Hors d’oeuvres included spicy samosas, while each glass was kept full with offerings of premium liquor. Jerry D, who served as the evening’s MC, got the ball rolling in his usual effervescent style.
Jamaica’s very own Owen ‘Blacka’ Ellis opened the show. His jokes included talk of gender inequality, the controversial tape everybody wants to see, and the ongoing ganja debate, and he had everyone shrieking with laughter.
He was followed by Canadian Jay Martin, who impressed the audience with his knowledge of Jamaica and a very hilarious rendition of the traditional Indian dance.
The final act was of course Russell Peters, who is quickly becoming one of Canada’s biggest comedians. His side-splitting stories about various ethnic groups earned an encore. Even after this, guests were still eager to hear more and are anxiously waiting to see if he will perform in Kingston. Speaking with the Observer after the show, Peters said that he couldn’t wait to come back to the island.
Laughing up a storm were Ravi and Samara Daswani, Bobby and Indu Chandiram, Joseph and Asha Issa, Barbara Ellington, Don Creary, Mark Shields, Keneea Linton, Janet Silvera, Mark Hart, Ian Dear, Tristan Alverado, Sophia Max Brown, Supt Warren Clarke, Step Williams, Anup Chandiram, Andy and Michelle Daswani, Cly Moodie, Walter Elmore, Tricia Todd and many others.
After the show, the party moved on to the Blue Beat jazz bar on the Hip Strip, where owners Brian Jardim and Ian Dear threw veteran journalist Barbara Ellington a birthday bash. The party went on till the early hours of the morning as toasts and wishes for long life and happiness were the order of the night’s proceedings.
Picture caption 1: Asha Issa (left) chats with Bobby and Indu Chandiram at the cocktail reception prior to the comedy show at the Ritz Carlton.
Picture caption 2: Ian Dear (left), co-owner of Margritaville and Blue Beat Jazz Bar, with Tristan Alverado.
Picture caption 3: Comedian Russell Peters (left) relaxes with businessman Joey Issa at the Blue Beat jazz bar after his performance at the Ritz Carlton hotel.
Source: The Observer
