Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer
Guests dance the night away at the American Women's Group of Jamaica 20th anniversary Valentine's Fantasy Ball, held at the Hilton Kingston hotel, last week Saturday. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
After dinner ... everyone moved to the dancefloor ... and proceeded to waltz when the music called for it, and 'drop legs' when the band picked up the beat.
WHAT'S YOUR fantasy? Chances are it could have been fulfilled at the Valentine's Fantasy Ball staged by the American Women's Group of Jamaica (AWGJ) in the ballroom of the Hilton hotel, New Kingston, on Saturday. If you desired a trip to a fabulous all-inclusive resort up north, you might have got it.
Better yet, exquisite pieces of art, a trip to another continent, and other such delights were up for grabs. These gifts were contingent on your luck of the draw or the bidding in a silent auction, but one thing was guaranteed - a night of classy yet thrilling entertainment in the company of equally classy people.
UTOPIAN WORLD OF DREAMS
The Hilton ballroom was transformed into a utopian world of dreams and mystery. The guests were handed feathered masks, completing the theme of a masquerade ball, upon entry. The thrill of the unknown was heightened as the guests penned in their bids in a silent auction. By the selection of items and activities up for bidding, it was evident that the AWGJ received extensive corporate support in their fund-raising effort.
Master of ceremonies, Michael Anthony Cuff encouraged them to bid, and to do so heartily, as the aim was to make a minimum of J$1,000,000 that night. All proceeds from the auction and the ball will fund various charities undertaken by the AWGJ, two-thirds of which will go towards their educational programme for underprivileged youngsters.
Soon enough, dinner was served and the always-entertaining 50-50 Band took to the stage to provide the mood music for dinner. Some guests were so enchanted by the selections of the band that they took to the dancefloor in the middle of the main course! That was not the most exciting part of dinner. The flaming baked Alaska that was served for dessert received a dramatic entrance with dimmed lights, and only the fire in the dish lighting the way for the servers carrying trays of the hot and cold treat. However, some guests had already had their sweet treat for the night, as the tables were strewn with heart-shaped chocolates and Hershey's Kisses, that made for tasty decorations. During dinner, there was also a performance by Sapphire's Edge - a young band that played contemporary and alternative music.
After dinner, the real party got under way, as everyone moved to the dancefloor at the centre of the room and proceeded to waltz when the music called for it, and 'drop legs' when the band picked up the beat. The disco ball and strobe lights that were put in place by decorator extraordinaire Michelle Lee, added to the air of festivity.
Guests spent the remainder of the night dancing to the selections of the band and engaging in more bidding in the auction, which did not close until 12:00 midnight.
