Studio 38 revives the city

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

IT IS perhaps the surprise entertainment find of the year, as this Kingsley Cooper-inspired venue has become the hottest address in entertainment in the city.

Boasting a formidable combination of live music from some of reggae's greats, the hot spot known as Studio 38 has revived the slumping city's night life through its series of live concerts Wednesdays and Sundays, not to mention happening Fridays. With its mature yet hip entertainment offerings, such as the 98-38 Wednesday night mix with DJ Squeeze, Studio 38 is the place to be and be seen in the city. And dears, if you were not in attendance last Friday, you missed a smashing mélange of high fashion, intoxicating partying and musical mastery. Plus, there was a poised performance from DJ Pinchers at the first anniversary celebrations of the hot bistro turned night life mecca!

Located at the Pulse Centre, 38A Trafalgar Road, the event saw a gathering of fashionistas, celebrities and a number of sizzling models, mixing with social and modelling hopefuls. It was a night of promises for the avant garde, the party hearty, as well as the laid-back.

It began with a high-energy fashion show, which featured contemporary looks from Julan, Shades by Kerry Kay's, Mutamba and Mushroom. It was easy to see why designer Julan is becoming the darling of the city's young and discerning fashion-forward set. She had her models in spunky cocktail dresses, as well as flowing pieces that flattered the body. Shades by Kerry Kay's also showed some fancy, metallic-printed dresses, all above the knee and all in black and white.

Jackie Cohen's brown, animal-print number, worn by one of Pulse's new face Shawnette Evering, screamed sexy! The look was a perfect mix of form, fluidity and sensuality! Number-one swimsuit fashion house Mushroom was in designing heaven, as the perfectly toned models strutted in animal prints, each with a splash of pop-art graphic prints that brought back memories of the '70s, but with a modern twist. Pulse Model search winners Hannah Lettman and Lara George were the hot standouts.

During the formalities, Cooper piled accolades on his partners Debbie Morgan and Lloyd Thomas, and expressed gratitude for the support over the last 12 months. He also especially thanked the hundreds of guests in attendance. And then it was party time!

Hot music, high fashion

DJ Christuff played an excellent set for the high tempo fashion fix, giving way to DJ Squeeze, who spun the fabulous rhythms from his old-school repertoire. With music pumping, guests hit the dance floor to begin a night of non-stop dancing. The garden-style dance floor was jam-packed, bustling with the energy of the young and the mature. Cooper's partying recipe has always managed to create the perfect mix of vibrant partygoers of all ages who simply know how to 'get on down'.

Christuff mixed the latest beats from reggae, R&B and hip hop to current music stars and DJ Squeeze delighted with some of the greatest party music from an earlier era. He had guests glued to the dance floor. And, it was at this high that DJ Squeeze, after promising that he was two songs away from introducing the night's performer, held reverllers on the dance floor until some dozen tunes later, when they left in search of the next drink to cool down and enjoy hit after hit from Pinchers.

Among those out were Government MP and Junior Minister Dr Laurie Broderick and his betrothed, the simply stunning Sandra Gregory; People's National Party Chairman and MP Bobby Pickersgill; Senator A.J. Nicholson; Appeal Court judge, Hillary Phillips QC; Justice Ingrid Mangatal; Justice Nicole Simmonds; legendary entertainer Beres Hammond; Dr Michael Banbury; Margaret Watson; the venerable Howard Hamilton; the elegantly charming Lois Lake Sherwood; businessman Neal Seaton; celebrated lawyer and commentator Patrick Bailey; Dr Carolyn Cooper; Jeffrey Messado; noted lawyer Katherine Phipps; Lloyd Tomlinson; Dr Leahcim and Cecile Semaj; Harry Smith; Carol-Rose Brown; businessman Basil Phillips; the charming Angela Thame; the gorgeous Romae Gordon; Donny Kong; the fab Nurma James; Colin and Kaye Smith; singer/entertainer Ashley Martin; O.K. Francis; the dish-of-gorgeousness Trisha Thompson; Ronnie Sutherland; designer Juliet Dyke; actor/comedian Glen Campbell; Dawn Ruddock; news anchor, Michael Sharpe; Winford Williams; singer Ce'cile; DJ Baby Cham; Chesna Haber; Richard Stephenson; Nicole Masters; Tracy Hamilton; Digicel's Jim and Reneé Hogan; Michelle Thompson; Ai Irisawa; King Yute; model Reshima Hemmings; and scores of other beautiful people!

The first anniversary celebrations continue this evening and each Wednesday and Friday in the new year!

All hail the sagittarians

Then, my daahlings, as Scorpio makes way for the age of Sagittarius, we extend belated birthday greetings to Ambassador Madge Barrett, who celebrated on Monday. The stylish banker, Minna Israel and celebrated artist, Susan Alexander, celebrated on Wednesday. Stylist Sadie McBean and the affable Rodney Davis both celebrated yesterday.

Today, Dr Carol Ball and the iconic Winston Blake celebrate their birthday. Advertising executive and broadcaster Tony Scott, James Watson, the charming Shakeira Issacs, the lovely Annette Carter, in Cayman, and P.C. Harris, in Toronto, Canada, all celebrate their birthday today!

Tomorrow will see businessman Nigel Pagon, north coast habitué Stephanie Merlo, of Scottsdale, Arizona; and James Wettengl, formerly of Negril, now in Vancouver, British Columbia, share birthday honours! Garth Henriques celebrates on Sunday as will the lovely Heather Phillips, in Tampa, Florida and the lovely Dawn Logan, formerly of Linstead, St Catherine, now in the Big Apple. On Monday, Pulse international supermodel, the ultra-fab Carla Campbell, the lovely Ferne Brown and Mike Ricketts, formerly of Kingston, now residing in the United Kingdom, bring the curtains down on Scorpio celebrants.

And speaking of beautiful people, the absolutely gorgeous Betty Delfosse-Ingleton flew in from her home in Zanzibar for the wedding of her fabulous niece, Shawna Newman, to her long-time beau, Roger Brown, slated for this weekend!

And former Kingston grooming and etiquette expert, the lovely Karen Stevens, flew in from her New York home last week for the joint 50th birthday celebration of Nigel Pagon, Mark Neita and Richard Bowen, hosted at Caymanas last Saturday night! Buzz was it was all that!