Happenings in Jamaica

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

My darlings, there's never a dull moment in this here land of ongoing drama, and with the much-anticipated report of the Manatt-Dudus commissioners now in, the drama continues.

If anything, the report has attracted scathing criticism in some quarters and dismissed in others as worthless, but the fact is, as they proved themselves during the actual sittings of the proceedings, the commissioners have fully underlined and attested to their irrelevance in their now much-debated report! Alas, all is not lost, however, as in the 'court of public opinion', the proceedings and the evidence produced, played out in a manner quite dissimilar to the findings. And in this respect, all things considered, the commissioners, in their final pronouncements, did more to harm the cause of the Jamaica Labour Party/Government and their own credibility, than they did to bolster either, as the many Jamaicans who viewed the inquiry, save and except the political partisans, were seemingly better informed than the commissioners themselves!

And so, to say the enquiry and the constituent report was a waste of time would be to adopt the simplistic approach of the commissioners, who saw no evil, heard no evil and consequently could report no evil.

National discussion

But report or no report, Jamaica is still as exciting a place as ever! The report was not the only national discussion last week either, as Jamaicans both here and in the diaspora were all hailing Usain Bolt's return to form in Oslo with his fantastic run. And they were equally heaping praises on Steve Mullings on his humbling of Bolt's rival Tyson Gay, with his photo-finish of a win at the Grand Prix meet in New York.

And then Anne, The Princess Royal, was in town, and this had the social juices of haute-society flowing as she was the toast of the town, and following on her departure, the reviews are pouring in and luvs, they are all fab! And following her departure, the British naval vessel, the HMS York, docked in Kingston and saw acting British High Commissioner Graham Glover co-hosting a swanky reception on-board last Thursday, that had the fab world and his wife in attendance.

Meanwhile, Kingston was all abuzz and it was all about Caribbean Fashionweek!

Little wonder here, as with the region's premier fashion event in its 11th year of staging, and coming on the tail-end of a grouchy weather system that drenched the island with rain, this year's CFW was definitely the rainbow at the end of it all. From the Thursday night meet-and-greet reception at the oh-so fashionable Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston; to the attendant seminars and the showcasing of the collections; and the ensuing after-parties, dears, it was cauldron hot! Trinidadian Meiling once again asserted her primacy as the grande dame of Caribbean fashion. European designer, Spoerry 1866, took their collection to Kingston - the first time it was being showcased outside of Europe, and not only was the collection a fashionable hit, their Skybox, inside the National Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday, was the only place to be, as it rained champagne. Their Jamaican partners in the production of Sea Island Cotton, the enterprising Patrick Casserly and his fab wife Katrin, proved the hosts with the most. Peter Spoerry and entourage rocked the house.

And for those who were in New York looking for George Wayne on the social circuit, the Jamaica-born, former 'resident alien' Gleaner writer, now contributing editor to Vanity Fair, was in town for CFW, camera in hand and working the event as only La Wayne can! And my dears, Miss Bahamas Universe, the stunning Anastagia Pierrie, was also in for CFW and the fab lass made it clear to all that being a hot model does not necessarily mean being anorexic, as she strutted her stuff with the poise, confidence and élan of a runway star! Then my darlings, this was only her second public outing but singer and entertainer-turned-fashion designer Ashley Martin is definitely the hot designer of the moment! More anon, as Martin is definitely turning more than just fashionable heads with her bold avant-garde designs and styling, so stay tuned! Kudos to Kingsley Cooper and the fab Romae Gordon on their production and presentation of this premier international event; to Kingston for the world!

Publisher Paul Issa is back from Toronto, Canada, where he launched his book, 3 Jamaican Plays - A Post-Colonial Anthology 1977-1987, at the Trane Jazz Club.

The tome was not only well received, but is garnering rave reviews for its role in celebrating and recording Jamaican artistic and intellectual property.

And then happy birthday greetings and wishes to: playwright Ginger Knight, who celebrates his 60th birthday today. Also celebrating today are: the charmingly lovely Beverly McDonald in Linstead, St Catherine; Errald Miller Jr; the lovely Monique Francis; DJ Kirk Morgan, formerly of Hedonism III, now resident of the Big Apple; and the beautiful Val Grant in St Kitts and Nevis. Celebrating tomorrow are: Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry; the trailblazing retired police officer, Superintendent Ionie Ramsay-Nelson; Honorary Consul of Norway Robert Scott; singer Frederick Orasha Miller; the lovely Jonnalee Davis; and the fab Linda Dupell, in Pennsylvania, US.

On Sunday, the fabulous Bernadette Dunn, over in Montego Bay; the lovely Zarna Herrera, who turns 4-0; the lovely Nicola Bailey; and the fabulous Judy-Ann Collins, formerly of Hedonism III, now in Alberta, Canada, all celebrate. Come Monday, stunning beauty and young philanthropist Christelle Harris; media specialist Garth Williams, now in Dominica; Samuel Campbell, in Orlando, Florida; the lovely Reni Dziko, in Berlin, Germany, will blow out the candles. On Tuesday, socialite and philanthropist Diana Stewart; educator Martha Corbett-Baugh; and Hedonism II E-Public Relations dynamo Steven Pottinger all make it one very special day.

On Wednesday, among those celebrating are: the stunning Bernadette Barrow; ace photographer Flash Gordon; and the beautiful Tavida Thomas, of Ocho Rios and formerly of Hedonism III, celebrate their very special day. Come next Thursday, the fab Paulette Harris; the lovely Natalie Bonnick; and the lovely Rashida Bryan share the same birthday. And belated birthday wishes to: the esteemed Leonie Forbes-Harvey, theatre doyenne and elocutionist, who celebrated her birthday last Sunday, and Ambassador Marc-Olivier Gendry of France, who celebrated his birthday on Wednesday.

Many happy returns all around!