Irie Latino

Copacabana Fridays At Bluebeat In Montego Bay Featuring DJ Irie Latino: March to May 2011

2011-05-25T10:21:00.000-07:00

Ok guys, I have been missing in action on the Irie Latino blog but I have resumed blogging after a two month break. I haven't taken too many pics either but I've collected a few of them some of which have been taken by other Irie Latinos. So this should give you a look at the past few months. After this, the pics will start coming again at a regular rate. Sorry for the inconvenience but no need to worry... the vacation is now over:-) Enjoy the pics!

(click to enlarge, pulse para agrandar)

Zamora FC Wins The Venezuelan Clausura

2011-05-24T22:38:00.000-07:00

Zamora FC, the football club representing Barinas,Venezuela won the Venezuelan Clausura title last week when they defeated Caracas on the final day of the season. One of our Irie Latinas from Barinas was at the decisive match as Zamora playing away from home took the battle to Caracas in the capital city, beating the only team that could have taken their top position. Our friend took some great pics at the football stadium in Caracas capturing the atmosphere, the crowd, the celebrations and the players.

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Brand New Machine's Second Week at Seawind Beach Club, Montego Bay

2011-03-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday was the second edition of Brand New Machine's weekly Thursday night parties at the Seawind Beach Club in Montego Bay. Well "the machine" powered up even more this time and the new version of your nightlife is accelerating with more fun, more faces and more of that Mobay party energy that is so easy to get addicted to. Check the pics below to see what you missed and check out Brand New Machine this week at Seawind. If last week is anything to go by then "I got a feeling" that Thursday's "gonna be a good, good night".

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Brand New Machine's Debut At Seawind Beach Club, Montego Bay...Thursday, March 11th, 2010

2011-03-14T18:47:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday night discerning party goers got their first taste of a new version of Montego Bay nightlife as Brand New Machine rolled out its weekly Thursday night promotion in the picturesque, upscale ambiance of the Seawind Beach Club. Now it certainly isn't the first time a party has been held at this venue but the combination of Seawind's awesome decor with promoters and DJs at the vanguard of Jamaican entertainment made this a first-time experience. It was an intimate affair among persons who truly appreciated something new and different but the occasion, though elegant, was relaxed and uninhibited in true Montego Bay fashion. DJ Smoke and DJ Colin Hinds made sure it stayed that way with international dance selections that kept feet tapping, lips smiling and drinks pouring into the early hours of Friday morning. It was a great way to shake off the stress of the working week and get into the perfect weekend attitude.

(click pics to enlarge)

Copacabana Fridays At Bluebeat In Montego Bay Featuring DJ Irie Latino: February 2011

2011-03-09T15:36:00.000-08:00

February 2011 continued the trend of new faces in Bluebeat and we're always grateful for new friends. We also partied with a lot of the old faces when we celebrated a good friend's birthday last month. The "Lightbulb Dancer" was as entertaining as ever on his birthday and the dance craze continues! On one night the rain came down really hard by surprise in the middle of the party just as it happened a few times before in the past . I actually love when this happens because it's just another chance for me to see how much we all share a passion and enthusiasm for this event. The rain has never killed the vibe. The party just seems to become more fun as everybody crowds into the lounge. I was talking on the phone to a friend in Venezuela the other day who said that one of the things he remembers about Copacabana is how even when it rains the fun never stops. Party on, Irie Latinos! You are the ones who make it happen!

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Brand New Machine Moves To The Seawind Beach Club In Montego Bay

2011-03-09T14:58:00.001-08:00

The weekly Brand New Machine promotion which has been featured here in this blog has found a brand new location in Montego Bay. The premier weekly event of Jamaica's party elite has moved to the Seawind Beach Club which boasts an amazing tropical ambiance of spacious patio, pool and white sand beach areas complimented by airy, wide-open architecture.

It's the perfect setting for a party that has become widely acknowledged as the crème de la crème of Jamaican entertainment. The event kicks off at 10pm on Thursday, March 10th with DJs Smoke and Collin Hinds. If you're craving something different and above the norm then make your way there.

Take A Quick Break At Cafe Express In Ocho Rios

2011-03-09T14:04:00.000-08:00

I stopped at Cafe Express in the Taj Mahal shopping centre on Main Street, Ocho Rios while I was visiting the town on a sales trip. It's a great location for grabbing a bite with a varied menu ranging from local dishes and flatbread melts to burgers and sandwiches such as their jerk chicken panini. The well stocked bar features frappuccinos, cappuccinos and smoothies and you may want to try the cappuccino cheese cake for dessert. The Cafe's location in the busy commercial district makes it perfect for a relaxing stop between shopping. It's also not far from the nearby popular beaches so if you get hungry and need a time-out from all that playing, swimming and tanning, it's just a few minutes away.

Copacabana Fridays At Bluebeat In Montego Bay Featuring DJ Irie Latino: January 2011

2011-02-08T09:57:00.000-08:00

We've had a great start to the year this January with a couple of truly incredible nights. On the first Friday of the month we celebrated the 2nd anniversary of Copacabana in Bluebeat with a great party, longtime friends, food and champagne. It seems nobody wants to leave the party these days and we have had some epic nights. Thank you to those kind-hearted and fun-loving party maniacs who cook me breakfast on a Saturday morning. What a life! I'd like to welcome the new faces at Copacabana this year, both Jamaican and Latino. Already you are making your mark on the nights with the enthusiasm and hype expected from Irie Latinos. I've seen some incredible dancing from some of the new folks and that just makes the night more exhilarating and appealing. Below are some of the pics from January.

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Going Mexican At Caliente Beach Bar & Grill Near Ocho Rios

2011-02-07T13:54:00.000-08:00

If life is a bitch then turn it into a beach, instead. That's what I did in the middle of a busy, hot working day in Mammee Bay near Ocho Rios a couple weeks ago. It didn't require magic, just a simple decision to have lunch at the town's newest restaurant featuring Mexican cuisine. The result, however, was definitely magical as I discovered this oasis of Mexican food in the middle of a Jamaican white sand beach. The ocean breeze, brilliant sun and deep blue Caribbean sea wiped away any memory of life's everyday hassles as I stepped out the car and looked around.

Caliente Beach Bar & Grill is tropical living at its best. Opened recently by Greek chef, Angelo Konidis, the restaurant is a comfortable, airy structure with a covered, thatch-roofed section as well as an open-air, wooden deck just meters away from the water's edge. Angelo is the brother of Dimitri Konidis who manages the Mykonos Greek Bar & Grill recently featured here on this blog. On meeting Angelo at Caliente the first thing that struck me was his unbridled enthusiasm for his establishment. It's my experience that enthusiasm for anything you do brings optimum results and Angelo's restaurant is no exception.

Angelo treated me to a mouth-watering meal of "carne asada" tacos. I sat near the porch savouring every bite and digesting the sights and sounds of tourists and locals enjoying the beach. Not far away from where I sat a lobster trap lay in the water and Angelo explained that guests can go there to pick the lobster for their lobster dish. I had to kick myself out of this dream to go back to work.

The Caliente menu is quite varied. Appetizers include Spicy Tequila Ribs, Prawn Cocktails and "Baja Ceviche" just to name a few items. Entree salads feature Taco Salad and Mexican Ceasar. There are a variety of tacos from fish tacos and "carnitas" tacos to "pollo asada" tacos and lobster tacos. You can also order from Caliente's choices of burros and chimmis. Pollo Asada and Snapper Veracruzeno are two more delights available from the kitchen.

This is an experience you can't afford to miss. This is the kind of break you deserve to have. Check out the pics I took with my Blackberry and then go check it out for yourself. The restaurant is located on the Mammee Bay beach next to the Hotel Riu Mammee Bay, a few kilometers west of Ocho Rios. Click the pics to enlarge.

Irie Latino Window: The Divina Pastora in Barquisimeto, Venezuela

2011-01-24T19:55:00.000-08:00

"Irie Latino Window" contributions are made by Irie Latinos (friends of Irie Latino) in Latin America.

An Irie Latina from Barquisimeto, Venezuela participated in that city's famous annual procession of the Divina Pastora (Divine Shepherdess) on January 14th. She sent me some historical information about this event as well as her own personal feelings about the occasion which touches the lives of so many, each year. The history books have it that in 1703, a Capuchin friar in Seville, Spain by the name of Isidoro de Sevilla received a revelation through a dream showing him an image of the Virgin as the Divina Pastora. He later related a description of the image to an artist named Miguel Alonso de Tovar who produced a painting based on the friar's description. The depiction showing the virgin in a pastoral hat holding a boy in her left hand and a lamb in the right, was called the "Divina Pastora de Almas" and Isidoro de Sevilla later incorporated the Divina Pastora into a procession in 1703. A statue was later made in this image by Francisco Antonio Gijon, a sculptor, years later.

The story comes to Barquisimeto, Venezuela in 1790 where a statue of the Divina Pastora was delivered to a church in the the town of Santa Rosa. When it was decided to move the statue which was still in its packing crate to another location it was too heavy to be removed and it remained at this location which became its home to this day. Santa Rosa eventually became a neighborhood of Barquisimeto. Since then the statue has become associated with miracles of faith and healing and every year on January 14th it is commemorated through a procession taking it from its church in Santa Rosa to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Barquisimeto. On its way back to Santa Rosa it stops at many churches along the way. The procession is usually attended by more than two million people.

In the opinion of our Irie Latina from Barquisimeto, millions of people look to the Divina Pastora each year to provide them with the miracles needed in their lives and offer promises to her which they fulfill each year. Thousands of people from all over the world meet for this procession singing beautiful songs in numbers which grow larger every year. She feels it is the faith evident on the faces of these people which pull more and more of the masses toward God. Her own personal experience where her mother was cured of cancer after being gravely ill is her confirmation of these miracles. She attributes this miracle in her family to their abundance of faith and feels that her own faith has been strengthened now and forever. Hoping that what she has shared has made its way into your hearts she invites you to participate every year in the procession of the Divina Pastora for this great movement of faith. The photos below are her pictures from this year's procession.

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Irie Latino Window: Out And About In Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela

2011-01-09T14:21:00.000-08:00

"Irie Latino Window" contributions are made by Irie Latinos (friends of Irie Latino) in Latin America.

An Irie Latino and good friend of ours that we like to call " el todopoderoso" has moved to the coastal city of Puerto La Cruz in Venezuela, which is also home to a number of other Irie Latinos. He's been out and about in the town over the past few days by car and by boat through canals in the coastal section and he promised to send some pics of his new surroundings via Blackberry. Puerto La Cruz is a popular tourist destination situated on Venezuela's Caribbean shoreline and is home to one of the largest oil refineries in the country. Enjoy the pics.

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The Montego Bay Indian Benevolent Association New Year's Eve Party

2011-01-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

I started 2011 playing at the Montego Bay Indian Benevolent Association (MIBA) New Year's Eve party. It was a great vibe with some wonderful people who created a an intimate and fun-filled atmosphere at the beautiful Ironshore Golf Club clubhouse in Montego Bay. Special thanks to the organizers of MIBA for not just giving me the opportunity to play but the experience of a very warm and friendly New Year celebration. It was the best way to start 2011. Happy New Year everybody!

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Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, December 17th, 2010

2010-12-19T14:38:00.000-08:00

Another farewell...this time to friends from Secrets Resorts & Spas. Perhaps too many farewells these days. But things come and go, changes take place but the "rumba" never ends! It was another marathon night with beautiful people, in the beautiful Bluebeat setting with lots of drinks to make it yet another beautiful Copacabana Friday.

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Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, December 10th, 2010

2010-12-12T09:38:00.000-08:00

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Irie Latino Window: Dia De Las Velitas in Colombia

2010-12-07T20:42:00.000-08:00

"Irie Latino Window" contributions are made by Irie Latinos (friends of Irie Latino) in Latin America.

The Blackberry pics in this contribution come to us from Bogota, the capital city of Colombia where one of our Irie Latinas was celebrating the Dia de las Velitas (day of the little candles) with friends and family, last night. On this event, countless candles and paper lanterns are lit throughout Colombia and placed literally everywhere from windows, gardens, doors and balconies to streets, sidewalks and all sorts of public places.

The candles are lit to pay homage to the Virgin Mary on the eve of a December 8th public holiday that celebrates the Immaculate Conception. On the night of the Dia de las Velitas the streets of Bogota are filled with people roaming the city to admire the Christmas decorations and shows which come to a crescendo for this celebration.

Good Girls Gone Bad at Copacabana

2010-12-01T13:29:00.000-08:00

Well, the theme was "Good Girls Gone Bad" for this Copacabana party in Bluebeat on the last Friday of Novemeber. The good girls came out from Jamaica, Spain and Latin America. But look at these pics! Not even one girl gone bad. No naughty poses for the camera. No seductive smiles at their friend's man. No girl dressed to cause trouble. No INSTRUCTIONS followed! But I should have known this was going to happen because I know my Irie Latinas. They're just too sweet and that's why I love them. It was a very nice night with strong representation from the Cubanos and Colombianos in Bluebeat.

(click the pics to enlarge, pulse para agrandar)

The Brand New Machine Accelerates

2010-12-01T11:03:00.000-08:00

It has been almost two months since the trendy promotion Brand New Machine (BNM) expanded into Montego Bay and judging by the enthusiam, the Thursday night parties at Bluebeat have secured a foothold among the second city's party elite. The ties between BNM and Montego Bay have also been strengthened with the addition to the promotional team of entertainment professional, Rayne Russell, owner of the Mobay-based event planning and management company, Entertain Jamaica. This move gives the north coast patrons a closer connection to the promotion through Mr. Russell who in addition to his experience in producing events in this region is well-known among the jet set, party-goers in the city.

The BNM invasion, however, is also a phenomenon far beyond the confines of Montego Bay. Already established in Kingston and New York, the Brand New Machine is also firing up Houston, Texas. The driving force of the Machine is fueled by cutting edge music, innovative themes and an in vogue following that often includes celebrities. Don't be surprised to walk into a party in any BNM venue and see some of the hottest names in pop culture. Guests have included actresses Mena Suvari and Nathalie Kelley, supermodels Taniesh "Lava" Simpson and Sincerely Ward as well as performers like Sean Paul, Nas and Damien Marley. The quality of the musical entertainment cannot be over-emphasized with the likes of Bob Sinclair, Diplo and Jean Michel having performed at BNM events. As Montego Bay gears up for the 2010 Christmas season, the presence of BNM in Montego Bay is sure to add extra cheer to this party-loving city and it is going to be a sleepless, fun-filled December for sure.

(Pictured above from left to right, celebrity guests DJ Max Glazer, actress Mena Suvari and Jamaican dancehall superstar, Sean Paul at BNM in New York)

The Jamaica Tourist Newspaper Features Irie Latino

2010-11-29T13:17:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much to The Jamaica Tourist newspaper for publishing a great article on my Irie Latino promotions. I really appreciate that you considered it to be a worthwhile story for your publication. My goal has always been to enhance the offerings of our north coast tourist landscape and bring Jamaica and other cultures together. Click the link below for the article which covers the birth and development of Irie Latino over the past few years. The story can be found by scrolling down to page 17 of the link.

http://www.jamaicatourist.net/downloads/JAMAICA%20TOURIST%2016_LR%20single%20pages.pdf

United Colors of Copacabana with Tami Chynn

2010-11-23T15:15:00.000-08:00

The theme of the night on November 19th was "United Colors of Copacabana" on this very special Copacabana Friday in Bluebeat. It was about national pride, wearing your national colors or something that represented your country. Thanks to all the national groups who came out to make it special, especially the Colombians and Indians who kept us going till four in the morning. I saw Venezuelans, Cubans, Jamaicans, Americans, British, Spanish, Trinidadians and Canadians all coming together for that special night where Latin rhythms meet World Beat and International jams every Friday.

But the sweet surprise of the night was a free concert from Jamaican pop and reggae diva Tami Chynn who won over the crowd with her well-known songs and her effervescent charm. It was a last minute promotion which still managed to pull her fans from far and wide. She was the talk of Twittter the following day. Thanks Tami for a lovely performance. Once again the pics are a bit too many to post this time so just follow the link to Facebook for the pics. You may be asked to log in to Facebook first. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=570333&id=578670113

Irie Latino Window: 16 Campeonato Nacional de Sonido Sobre Ruedas en Bogota

2010-11-23T14:42:00.000-08:00

"Irie Latino Window" contributions are made by Irie Latinos (friends of Irie Latino) in Latin America.

Last weekend was the 16th staging of Colombia's National Car Audio Competition in Bogota. Thanks to a special Irie Latina for sending in these great pics from what was a hugely entertaining event. Her company, LINK Entertainment produced the live broadcast of the show in association with "cerveza Costena (Costena beer)". The competition featured many cars packed full of speakers and the latest in car stereo technology, the beautiful "chicas Car Audio(Car Audio girls), a talented and acrobatic BMX bike team and a concert to close the event featuring top Colombian reggaeton superstar, J Balvin. It was exciting, it was cutting edge and it was a huge success. Here are some pics from the weekend.

(click to enlarge, pulse para agrandar)

Irie Latino Window: Dia De La Chinita in Maracaibo

2010-11-18T13:29:00.000-08:00

"Irie Latino Window" contributions are made by Irie Latinos (friends of Irie Latino) in Latin America.

This Irie Latino Window contribution comes to us on "El Dia de la Chinita (Day of the Chinita)", an annual celebration which takes place in Maracaibo, Venezuela every year on November 18th. The Blackberry picture above of a massive crowd celebrating outside the Basilica de Chiquinquirá, also known as the Iglesia (Church) of the Chinita, was taken last night by a friend of an Irie Latina. The roots of the celebration surround a story in which a lady living in Maracaibo found a wooden slab with an image of the Virgin Mary on November 18, 1709 which later glowed miraculously in her house. The virgin glowed with tanned skin and almond shaped eyes and the people of the city referred to their new queen as the "Chinita".

The Chinita's fair officially begins on October 27th but the last two days, the 17th and 18th of November, are the most spectacular. Parties begin all around the city on the 17th with concerts and traditional "gaita" bands singing in discos and bars. Multitudes of people celebrate into the dawn of the 18th enjoying what is known as an "amanecer gaitero (gaitero daybreak)".

Revolucion, Tabaco Y Ron!

2010-11-13T12:04:00.000-08:00

So I was feeling in the mood for a revolution on Friday, November 20th at Copacabana in Bluebeat and you can't have a revolution without "tabaco y ron (tobacco and rum)". So a couple of cigars came out and we had some fun the Irie Latino way. Thanks to the Spanish revolutionary who arrived with cigar in hand and directed operations all night lol and thanks to the Venezuelan revolutionary in black who cooked breakfast for the "rebeldes" after the party. That is how revolutionaries do it. Viva la vida, baby!

(click the pics to enlarge, pulse para agrandar)

Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, November 5th, 2010

2010-11-07T00:25:00.000-07:00

On Friday the sea was so rough that Bluebeat had to close the terrace because large waves were splashing on the rocks causing the entire area to be soaked. Blame it on the lingering rains from the tail of hurricane Tomas and the cold weather coming from up north. But the weather has never stopped a Copacabana party in Bluebeat so we got the fiesta going in the lounge. Thanks to everyone who turned out to fill the room and keep each other warm on a wet night. It was a very cozy and intimate vibe.

Thanks To The Heroes!

2010-11-05T12:36:00.000-07:00

Last week's Copacabana Superhero Halloween party was a blast! Thanks to everyone who came out and made it one of the great events of an unforgettable Montego Bay weekend. There were a lot of pics taken this time which would be a bit too much for a blog post.

You can see the pics by clicking on this link http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=293236&id=712249281&l=915cd3d069 to my Facebook page. Thanks again amigos and see you at Copacabana tonight where "la rumba nunca se acaba"! LET'S GO!!!

Irie Latino Window: A Beautiful Day in Bogota, Colombia

2010-11-05T11:34:00.000-07:00

"Irie Latino Window" contributions are made by Irie Latinos (friends of Irie Latino) in Latin America.

Our first Irie Latino Window contribution from Colombia is by an Irie Latina who is having herself a beautiful day in the capital, Bogota. She stuck her Blackberry out the window and snapped this pic of Bogota's Calle 100 bathed in sunlight and clouds over the mountains in the background. It's raining here in Montego Bay, Jamaica so thanks for this little gift of sunshine, amiga!

Irie Latino Window: Football in Barinas, Venezuela

2010-11-05T11:10:00.000-07:00

"Irie Latino Window" contributions are made by Irie Latinos (friends of Irie Latino) in Latin America.

Irie Latino Window takes us to the Agustin Tovar football stadium in Barinas, Venezuela two nights ago where Zamora, the team from Barinas affectionately known as "la furia llanera" defeated FC Caracas with a 1-0 scoreline. This Blackberry pic was taken from the stands by an Irie Latina as the players warmed up on the field before the start of this Copa Venezuela match-up. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of this event!

Irie Latino Window: Where is Tomas going?

2010-11-02T14:16:00.000-07:00

"Irie Latino Window" contributions are made by Irie Latinos (friends of Irie Latino) in Latin America.

Our Irie Latino Window series takes us back to Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela where it has been raining all day. Tropical Storm Tomas is producing thunderstorms and rain in the southern Caribbean as it travels just north of South America. Where is he going? Is he coming here? Will it be Haiti or the Dominican Republic? Our Irie Latina in Puerto La Cruz took these Blackberry pics of impressive storm clouds on the horizon as Tomas influences the weather in that region. (click to enlarge)

Evita's Italian Restaurant ...A Beautiful Friendship

2010-10-25T21:34:00.000-07:00

It's hard for me to think of Evita's as just another restaurant. To be honest, I can't help but think of it with a mix of nostalgic emotions. When I moved to Ocho Rios in 2004 I hardly knew anything about this Italian restaurant. Well, I knew it was famous but it wasn't famous with me. By the time I left Ocho Rios in 2007 it was a part of my heart.

This is where Irie Latino officially started. This is where my passion for Latin music began to reward me for my love. I remember Saturday nights when the heat in the room was overwhelming, people's clothes were soaked with sweat but as overwhelming as it was, it was unnoticeable, because the only thing we noticed was the rhythm of the salsa beats and the bodies which spun and turned so gracefully to the music.

Evita's was about emotion and not just the emotion of music. People came to Ocho Rios from various parts of Latin America to live and work in this town and to build and staff new hotels. I think most of them resigned themselves to the idea that they were going to spend a lot of their time missing home but then there was this Latin night where they could mingle, meet more of their own people and dance the night away to the music of their respective countries. It became a very special evening that nobody wanted to miss on a Saturday night.

And the locals in Ocho Rios were happy about it, too. It added a whole new dimension to entertainment in the town. I didn't just make Latin American friends because of Saturday nights at Evita's. I made Jamaican friends, Indian friends, American friends and more. There was no greater feeling than bringing people together and making them happy...no greater feeling than that.

It was there that I met Eva, the heart and soul and mind of Evita's. The charming Italian owner of the restaurant met me when I played for a small birthday party at the restaurant and decided she wanted me doing a promotion there. I wasn't sure about making that move but it was then that I realized it's hard to resist the charm of this amazing woman. Within a few weeks I was playing at Evita's and Irie Latino was born, and so was a new friendship between an Italian lady and an Italian-Jamaican guy. Being two very determined people this friendship sometimes became as fiery as an argument at an Italian family dinner but we endured, and anytime I think of Evita's, the image of Eva and I sitting on the terrace, eating pasta and "brainstorming" for new ideas is the first thing that comes to mind.

There was also the timing of this period in my life. It was a time of change. It was a time of great positives and negatives. It was a time of new friendships. So when I bring up any memory of those nights in the restaurant many thoughts flood my mind, many unforgettable moments, many reasons to stop, think and remember. It was happiness, it was sadness, it was passion...it was what life is all about. It was beautiful.

I was going to write this post like any other one on this blog reviewing a North Coast restaurant, bar or attraction...but I just can't do that because it means so much more to me. I just want to talk about the laughter, the romantic relationships that started there, the sound of crickets in the night when the music was over as Eva and I sat at the bar to "review" the night, the time a couple of English guys ran naked through the restaurant which seemed to delight Eva so much, the birthday celebrations and so many special people.

Life goes on, things change, people move and those nights came to an end. But every now and then when the opportunity was right I went back to the restaurant at different times to play music for my friends. And whenever the right time or opportunity comes along I will still go back there if I can.

Eva, I don't think I ever told you thank you. You pulled me into Evita's and made it such an important part of my life. Thank you for everything that meant and thank you for the garlic bread, the buschetta, the pasta, those unique "jam-italian" dishes and all that Bacardi rum and coke. Thank you for the opportunities to stay at Villa Viento on those weekends and wake up to the sound of the waves while I rested an often over-worked mind. Thanks for your beautiful friendship, Eva. In all our advertisements for Latin Night I remember the line "Evita's Italian Restaurant, the best little Pasta house in Jamaica". Those words seem so much more powerful to me, now.

Bluebeat's Copacabana Superhero Parade on Halloween

2010-10-25T13:12:00.000-07:00

IT HAPPENS THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29TH, 2010. BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE!
(click flier to enlarge)

Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, October 15th, 2010

2010-10-21T14:12:00.000-07:00

Irie Latino Window: Playa Lido in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela

2010-10-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

"Irie Latino Window" contributions are made by Irie Latinos (friends of Irie Latino) in Latin America.

This pic, taken with a Blackberry, was made yesterday by an Irie Latina in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela on "el dia de la resistencia indigena (day of the indigenous resistance)". This holiday on the 12th of October celebrates the resistance of native Americans against the Spanish conquistadors. The photo of the town's Playa Lido bay shows residents enjoying their holiday at the beach. The mountain in the background on the left is the famous Cerro El Morro, known for its hotels and condominiums. Click the pic to enlarge.

Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, October 8th, 2010

2010-10-09T03:22:00.000-07:00

There's only one Latin party in Jamaica. Only one!

Brand New Machine's First Night Out In Montego Bay

2010-10-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

Rain couldn't stop the Brand New Machine promotion from rolling out in Bluebeat Montego Bay, last night. The official launch, with it's "Red Cups and Lolipops" theme had Montegonians and Kingstonians soaking up the sounds of DJ Narity and DJ Kamal Bankay well into the early morning hours of Friday. Drinks flowed freely into red plastic cups, and lolipops were on the the lips of the ladies as the Brand New Machine added a whole new dimension to Thursday nights in the north coast city. Your weekend now starts on Thursdays. Next week, it's all about DJ Engine Room so get enough sleep before the machine powers up, again.

A Very Rainy Copacabana Friday in Bluebeat on October 1st

2010-10-03T22:45:00.000-07:00

Well the rain came down big time on Friday night but the worst of the floods was already over. I knew that wasn't going to stop an Irie Latino party, though. After four years of doing this on the North Coast I know how you all are. So the lounge filled up fast and some people didn't leave the terrace until it was really pouring. So now you know Bluebeat is an all-weather club even when the sky is falling down. And no matter how big the storm is outside, we'll be kicking up a bigger one inside. Thanks for coming out, my people!

Is Chivalry Dead?

2010-10-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

I took this picture at a little after 1:00pm on Wednesday in Ironshore, Montego Bay in the middle of the flood rains of Tropical Storm Nicole. Is chivalry dead? I think not! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this guy carrying the girl on his back struggling against the wind and pelting rain. I think she should marry him! Seriously!

Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, September 24th, 2010

2010-09-26T21:32:00.000-07:00

It was an awesome night...epic! It was also a very special night for most of us as we came out to celebrate the birthday of Liliana, a friend to so many in our community of Jamaicans and Latinos. And the night was made even more exciting thanks to Monica's bachelorette party planned by her girlfriends. We're glad the ladies loved the male lap dancer but I hope to see a female lap dancer one of these days. Fair is fair! Everything came together perfectly for a night that was pure fire on and off the dance-floor.

We also made a new friend and his name is CHIVAS Scotch Whiskey. I'm not kidding. The new CHIVAS promotion paid off big time at Bluebeat. The next day I heard statements like "Bwoy, I didn't know CHIVAS was so nice!" and "I had a lot of that CHIVAS but no hangover today...smooth!" Looks like Don CHIVAS is making friends and influencing people among Mobay's jet set. Bluebeat is happy, you're happy, everybody's happy. See you next week where "la rumba nunca se acaba"! Enjoy the pics.

(click to enlarge/pulse para agrandar)

Bluebeat's One-Two Punch With DJ Crazy Neil

2010-09-19T03:11:00.000-07:00

Bluebeat hit hard by bringing in Montego Bay's DJ Crazy Neil a few weeks ago but they decided enough wasn't enough and made it a one-two punch by doing it again, last Saturday night...and Mobay was the better for it. There was something there for everyone as the pace never slowed below breakneck speed with Crazy Neil spinning everything from dancehall and reggaeton to hip hop, house and rock. DJ Crazy Neil's album Trance Jamaica is coming out in October and based on the first track that has been released, the same energy felt on nights like Saturday night is going to be coursing through every track of the album. Thanks to Bluebeat, which has put Montego Bay on the entertainment map, for another great Mobay weekend. Here's a short 20 second clip of Crazy Neil madness, last Saturday.

Going Greek at Mykonos in Ocho Rios

2010-09-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

It looks like your typical Jamaican roadside restaurant and bar but you're in for a Greek surprise when you take a closer look. Welcome to Mykonos Greek Bar and Grill on Main Street, Ocho Rios. Small and simple with a bar and dining area on the inside and a couple of tables on the outside, Mykonos is the latest addition to the dining offerings of Ocho Rios.

The intimate space of the restaurant gives it a very homey feel and the affable Greek owner, Dimitri Konidis, adds to that friendly atmosphere with his easy-going interaction with guests. It's no surprise that this restaurant has a decidedly Jamaican quality about it because Dimitri comes across as someone who loves the island and is happy to be here, even using a few "Jamaicanisms" in his conversation.

Mykonos is quite the buzz these days with people spreading the word as far away as Montego Bay where I first heard about it. My drive to Ocho Rios from Montego Bay with friends on Wednesday night was well worth it thanks to an awesome dinner of chicken and pork Combo Kabobs preceded by Skordalia, a garlic potato dip served with Pita bread and Spanakopita, a savoury spinach pastry. Dimitri added icing to our cake with a free gift of succulent ribs during the appetizers, a gesture for which he has certainly earned a place in heaven.

There's more to discover on the menu and a trip from wherever you are in Jamaica to this little piece of Greece in Ocho Rios is definitely a good idea. I already know what I will be doing when I am in town! Look out for me at a table near the sidewalk on Main Street. Will it be Greek meatballs followed by Gyros, next time?

Coming Soon: A Brand New Machine in Bluebeat

2010-09-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

For almost two years the weekly Brand New Machine event series created by Jamaican promoter Steve Wilson (2nd photo) has attracted throngs of discerning party goers to its Fiction nightclub venue in Kingston. Now, the party comes to Bluebeat, Montego Bay every Thursday beginning in October where it will bring its creative blend of party themes and music on the cutting edge of dance and pop. This is what has driven the hip "Jamaica Observer Page 2" socialites in Kingston to sacrifice their sleep on a week night for the sake of a classy, uptown buzz the likes of which can't be found anywhere else in the capital.

On October 7th, 2010 the first session of the new alliance between Brand New Machine and Bluebeat takes place in Montego Bay. The series will be launched with "Red Cups & Lollipops", a monthly theme party which features free lollipops for the ladies and red plastic cups for a basement/block party vibe. DJ Narity will be on hand to set the club alight with house, pop, hip hop and a touch of dancehall.

Brand New Machine represents the latest party addition to Bluebeat which has already cornered the market of Mobay jetsetters with its Copacabana Fridayz and Guest List promotions on the weekend. Brand New Machine will be sponsored at Bluebeat by Altamont West Hotel and Heineken.

Coming Soon: DJ Crazy Neil's TRANCE JAMAICA

2010-09-12T17:44:00.000-07:00

Top Montego Bay dj and promoter, DJ Crazy Neil, will be releasing his debut dance remix album TRANCE JAMAICA in October 2010. Fans in what he loves to call "the Republic of Montego Bay" are waiting for this 20 track CD with much anticipation. Both Jamaican and international audiences will be introduced to Jamaican mash-ups of hand-picked, international dance tracks on this promising album mixed and produced by the Montego Bay celebrity. Here is a preview from TRANCE JAMAICA featuring the single "Party Harder", a DJ Liquid vs. Donaeo vs. Swedish House Mafia mash-up which is sure to set dance floors on fire anywhere in the world. Look out for the album release next month on DJ Crazy Neil's Twitter page, the Irie Latino blog and at select events.

Fashion's Night Out Jamaica 2010 Edition @ Copacabana Fridayz in Bluebeat with DJ Irie Latino, DJ Jaro and DJ Stephen Deere

2010-09-11T05:12:00.000-07:00

Fashion's Night Out Jamaica 2010...just another excuse for Montegonians to get out of their mind. Another epic Copacabana Fridayz in Bluebeat (click the pics to enlarge).

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Dining At The Sky Beach And Seafood Grill In Hopewell

2010-09-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

Twenty minutes west along the coast from Montego Bay you will find the Sky Beach and Seafood Grill in the town of Hopewell. The rustic charm of this seaside restaurant does not hide the evidence of personal attention and work that went into creating this delightful locale. Tables on the grass, some with a thatched roof above them, dot the large outdoor area. Many are plastic but covered with tablecloths and decorated with a lit kerosene lantern at nights. In the middle of the property is a large circular bar adjacent to the open kitchen where diners confer with the chefs to select the fish or lobster for their meal.

Before or after eating you may be tempted to stroll around the ground or sit on a bench at the edge of the Caribbean sea to take a moment to say thank you for your blessings. In this country-style getaway from the hustle and bustle of Montego Bay it's hard not to feel a sense of gratitude. I have found the service to always be friendly and professional and if you're lucky enough to meet the charming owner Mrs. McKenzie while you're there it will certainly add to this already pleasant experience.

The menu, unlike many other rustic seafood eating spots, is quite varied featuring a variety of fish and fish fillets, conch and shrimp as well as lobster and crab when they are in season. Chicken is also available if you really have to be different. Side orders include Jamaican favourites such as bammy, plantain, festival, rice and peas, roast breadfruit and more before you settle down to dessert.

Dining at this restaurant is a "can't miss" experience if you want to sample real Jamaican cuisine, charm and ambiance. Click on the pics above and below for a closer look and taste of Sky Beach.

Coming Soon: Fashion's Night Out At Norma Webster's Salon And Spa

2010-09-07T21:57:00.000-07:00

Montego Bay will be a part of the world-wide event, Fashion's Night Out, with the involvement of Norma Webster Salon and Spa at the Fairview Shopping Centre. The second city's premier salon will be offering a 10% discount on cosmetics and hair products as well as a 20% discount on its salon services between 5pm and 10pm on Friday, September 10th.

But it will be more than just great deals as customers will be provided with cocktails and wines to enjoy this year's Fashion's Night Out in the style that it deserves. Part of this treat will be a special Norma Webster Salon & Spa unveiling of precision cut with colour. So ladies this is your chance to join Fashionistas all over the world in celebrating this awesome event and benefiting from some great fashion deals on Friday night, right here in Montego Bay.

Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, September 3rd, 2010 (click to enlarge/pulse para agrandar)

2010-09-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

Last night was special because it was a farewell to two very special friends and Irie Latinos. We wish you many good things for the future, amigos. Thanks to the Secrets crew for coming out last night. Always good to see you. Last night was a Colombiano and Cubano combination for sure which always makes the party special. Put some Jamaicans in the mix and it gets even better. Love you, mi gente!

Irie Latino Moments: Our Dutty Wine Merengue

2010-09-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

This video is a blast from the past which was posted on my old blog and reposted on Facebook. It was shot back in 2006 when I was interviewing a Dominican dancer called Macarena who is a good friend of mine. Well, we were at Evita's Italian Restaurant in Ocho Rios where Irie Latino originated, we had a video camera, we had access to Evita's sound system and one thing led to another and soon Macarena was experimenting with a combination of merengue and dutty wine that we caught on tape.

This little video which was spontaneously shot by a few friends has been viewed on You Tube 141,086 times! It came at a time when everyone was posting their Dutty Wine videos on the internet but it continues to be viewed today because of its crossover appeal between Latinos and Jamaicans. The song in the background is "Chicho Riso" which was a popular street merengue song at the time. Enjoy this little piece of Irie Latino history and Latino-Jamaican fusion. I miss Evita's.

Coming Soon: The Havana Club Cigar Lounge In Montego Bay

2010-08-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

I took a trip to Cuba today although I traveled in neither plane nor boat. I shared laughter with the late, great singer Polo Montanez and the likes of Ibrahim Ferrer. I engaged in intense political debates with Fidel Castro, Raul Castro and the ghost of Che Guevara. Did it really happen or was it just a dream? It's hard to say because walking through the doors of the new Havana Club Cigar Lounge on the Hip Strip in Montego Bay made me forget my time and place.

The club has not yet been completed but the impression nevertheless is stunning. Portraits of the famous Cuban revolutionaries adorn the walls alongside the images of the musical talent for which that island is renowned. Famous international stars of yesteryear also share space with the icons of Cuba helping to enhance the already pervasive atmosphere of nostalgia in the lounge.

The Havana Club is certain to join the ranks of Mobay's finest entertainment offerings with a main lounge and dance-floor, a piano bar in an adjoining room, a gift shop specializing in cigar paraphernalia and a humidor. Expect Latin themed entertainment as well as activities geared for an upscale lounge of unquestionable quality. If you're not a smoker take note that the club has no less than eighteen air purifiers and two external extractors to make it a comfortable experience for all.

If everything goes according to schedule we can expect an opening sometime in September. You'll either find me chatting with "el comandante" at that special piano designed to accommodate drinkers or singing along with Polo Montanez near the dance floor. When you see me just give me a pinch to wake me from my dreams. (Click the pics to see greater detail especially the one of the cigar box designed to look like a house)

Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, August 27th, 2010 (click to enlarge/pulse para agrandar)

2010-08-28T19:14:00.001-07:00

Last night was about just letting go and enjoying yourself in the company of long-time friends with some Appleton rum, Red Stripe beer and Bluebeat's unbeatable cocktails. It was good to see a Peruvian amigo back in the house and some friendly new faces. Cubanos, Colombianos, Dominicanos, Peruanos, Jamaiquinos and more partied till steam was coming off the terrace floor. Thanks for a super, electric night as usual!

Lunch at Angela's Italian Restaurant in Montego Bay

2010-08-26T10:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I ran into a friend of mine who said he had just come from having a pizza at the new Angela's Italian Restaurant in Montego Bay. I didn't even know Angela's was now in Mobay and being half-Italian and a lover of Italian food since I was knee high I jumped back in my car and headed over to Whitter Village shopping centre in Ironshore. It didn't matter that I had eaten only an hour before. Suddenly I was hungry again.

Well, as I walked into the simple and charming restaurant the first thing I noticed was the brick oven in the open kitchen which allows customers to see some of the food preparation. Now I wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to have a pizza baked in an authentic brick oven. I have no regrets. It was absolutely delightful.

Angela's which has been in Negril for quite some time has now brought its offering of Italian pizzas, pasta, seafood and meat dishes to Montego Bay. The word is sure to spread like wildfire around the city which has demanded an Italian restaurant for quite some time. I already noticed a few familiar faces walking through the door while I was there yesterday and I expect to see many more of you, soon.

Coming Soon: The All Wet Beachwear Trunk Show at Norma Webster Salon & Spa

2010-08-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

Ladies, you won't want to miss this one. The Miami-based All Wet Beachwear comes to Jamaica with a Trunk Show at the Norma Webster Salon & Spa at the Fairview Shopping Centre in Montego Bay on Thursday, August 26th. The sale which will run from 10am until 6pm will feature designer swimsuits for the Caribbean from Beach Bunny, Cia.Maritima, Despi, Vix, Lady Lux and many more. Board shorts for men will also be available.

Remember that the sun is always hot in Montego Bay and the beaches and swimming pools are always inviting so don't miss this opportunity to treat yourself to the best designer beachwear you will find in Jamaica. Click on the flier below for further details.

Young Men And Women Are Having Quickies In Pier One

2010-08-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

Over the past two weeks I have had several Quickies in Pier One. Don't look so shocked. Everybody is trying it since Andre "Pnut" Brown launched Quickies Hot Dogs two weeks ago at Montego Bay's biggest Friday night party, Pier Pressure at Pier One. Since then people at Pier One have been enjoying Quickies by themselves, with their partners and even in groups of three or more.

Quickies Hot Dogs also sells Cheeseburgers and Hamburgers and trust me when I tell you that in the middle of a night of partying and drinking they hit the spot like nothing else. I'm not sure where Pnut gets the hot dogs for this venture but everybody loves the taste. The wieners are not as large as regular ones but perfect for a quick bite at a party. As one young woman explained, "When I am at a party I can't handle anything too big because if I have a Quickie in the middle of the party and it is too much to handle I'm going to feel uncomfortable for the rest of the night. And if I have it at the end of the night, well I am just too tired to take on anything too big."

Ok, the girl is fictitious but the Quickies Hot Dogs and Burgers are very real and the next time you're at Pier One you have got to try these great snacks. Quickies is coming soon to other locations in Montego Bay so look out! Everyone will be having them, soon.

Bluebeat's Guest List Brings In DJ Crazy Neil

2010-08-22T15:03:00.000-07:00

Last night, DJ Crazy Neil made his first appearance at Bluebeat in two years with an adrenalin driven performance at the club's regular Saturday night event, the Guest List. DJ Crazy Neil is a favourite DJ and promoter in what he likes to refer to as the Republic of Montego Bay and it was a foregone conclusion that Bluebeat would be packed like a can of sardines to hear him play.

I have two things to say to Bluebeat's management team about last night, "Good call, Bluebeat!" and "How about a Part Two!". It was mad, mad fun and clearly Bluebeat is fast becoming the number one upscale party lounge in Jamaica through its rotation of the best local and international DJs, every Saturday.

Seawind Beach Club Launches Saturday Oldies Night

2010-08-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

Saturday, August 21st saw the new Seawind Beach Club launching its Oldies Night with a party enjoyed by both younger and older patrons from across Montego Bay. Jamaicans have a passion for retro music and it is pleasing to see that the second city now has a regular retro event for both residents and tourists. As settings go you won't find another Oldies venue in Jamaica to match this one with its poolside bars, terraces, beach and wide open spaces by the sea. The party featured food and drinks with two bars and a buffet to satisfy your every need between dancing. Music included seventies disco, eighties pop hits, nineties dance music as well as reggae and dancehall spanning the years.

DRUMNDJ Rocks Margaritaville, Montego Bay

2010-08-18T14:52:00.000-07:00

By 11:30pm last night, Margaritaville Montego Bay was buzzing with anticipation as scores of tourists and locals packed the north coast club to see Canadian drummer and dj duo, DRUMNDJ. This was something new here and many didn't know what to expect. If there was any doubt about this foreign act winning over the Margaritaville crowd they were put to rest by international sensations, Brett Jones and DJ Kav.

It was exhilarating stuff from start to finish as patrons rocked to high energy remixes and screamed approval of Brett Jones' drumming talent and DJ Kav's turntable scratching skills. But the surprise of the night came when these versatile entertainers did a set of reggae and dancehall mixes which had locals breaking out in smiles all over the club. DRUMNDJ hits Margaritaville Ocho Rios again tonight and returns to Margaritaville Montego Bay on Thursday for what promises to be a final knockout blow. If you missed it last night there's still a second chance! This is definitely Irie Latino recommended.

Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, August 13th, 2010 (click to enlarge/pulse para agrandar)

2010-08-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

Coming Soon: The Chef's Table at The Twisted Kilt

2010-08-15T18:32:00.000-07:00

The Twisted Kilt in Montego Bay is introducing a new feature in dining called the Chef's Table which debuts on Friday, August 20th. This concept involves a minimum of six or more guests having a five or six course meal which will be mostly prepared at the table by the Executive Chef or Sous Chef. The menu will also be paired with wine. After it's debut on August 20th the Chef's Table will be a regular feature of The Twisted Kilt beginning in September and being offered on select nights.

The Chef's Table is sponsored by Porvasal, Sealand Food and Perry's Hotel and Restaurant Supply Company. Check the sumptuous menu below of The Chef's Table on Friday, August 20th.

AMUSE BOUCHE’
Watermelon with Orange Chambord vinaigrette

Appetizer
Caramelized scallops, cheese ravioli and Porcini cream

Salad
Wilted spinach, warm balsamic glaze and topped with crumbled goat cheese and roasted pecan

Sorbet Course
Olive oil poached Lobster tail accompanied with carrot rice cake, marinated peaches and asparagus tips and laced with Cognac cream

Fourth Course
Herb crusted tenderloin ,resting on Napa cabbage hash and topped with exotic oxtail ragout and laced with a jackfruit merlot infusion

Fifth Course
Chilean sea bass accompanied with gnocchi fricassee and carrots, haricot verts, and finished with a melon salsa

Dessert
Jackfruit mango cheese cake with strawberry coulis and pineapple flambe’ topped with a Hypnotic crème

Vertigo at The Palmyra Resort and Spa on "The Weekend"

2010-08-11T23:35:00.000-07:00

It was the 2010 edition of The Weekend, a series of three parties in Montego Bay called La Vue held at the beach of Iberostar Suites, Luna Lounge held at the Rose Hall Great House and Vertigo held at The Palmyra Resort and Spa. I made it to the all-white,Vertigo party on Sunday night, the last of this series of events on our Jamaican Independence weekend.

The Palmyra Resort and Spa is already an impressive structure and I had previously been to an event on their amazing beach but this time as I walked through the grounds of the hotel and the beach came in to view I literally had to stop to take it all in. The white tents, party lights, tiki torches and patrons all dressed in white (except for a few rebels like myself) created a shining, mirage-like oasis in the sand which seemed too beautiful to be true.

The music and familiar faces assured me that it was real, however, so I proceeded to get my party started. It was a classy event and the tickets were sold at premium prices. Montego Bay's "who's who" mingled with the out of towners and foreigners. Liquor flowed freely, the food was worthy of an event of this kind and The Palmyra food and beverage staff deserve all the praise in the world for a job well done.

I think the chic club and lounge decor on the sand initially took people's attention away from the party vibe and it was more like a cocktail party atmosphere as people indulged themselves in the ambiance of Vertigo. But the DJs did their job and the tempo was soon to change as people gravitated to the stage. Midwest DJs Scotty Mack and Florres got the crowd rocking with the house beats before Jamaica's DJ Bambino and DJ Kurt Riley took it to a crescendo with true "yardie style" entertainment on the microphone and turntables. The crowd, especially the females, screamed their approval over the noise of Hip Hop, Pop and Reggae beats.

Without a doubt after this year's 2010 edition of The Weekend the secret is out. Already everyone is looking to 2011 with great anticipation. Parties like these are a great way to showcase Montego Bay as the beautiful, exciting getaway that it really is. Venues like the Palmyra are places people will be willing to travel great distances for to experience not just sea and sand but the quality entertainment for which Jamaicans are renowned. I'm proud of my city. Kudos to The Weekend promoters Dwayne Smalling and Gary Codner of Clear Concept for a job well done and congratulations to Tai Flora for another impressive display of decoration.

(click the pics below to enlarge)

Coming Soon: Drum N DJ at Margaritaville

2010-08-11T21:09:00.000-07:00

Canadian Drum N DJ team Brett Jones & Dj Kav will bring the noise to Margaritaville Montego Bay and Margaritaville Ocho Rios, next week. The combination of drummer and DJ will deliver crazy turntable spawned remixes blended with live drumming. The duo are pioneers of Drum N DJ remixes and have earned well-deserved respect and huge audiences internationally and in their home country of Canada. So, my advice is to believe the hype and go see them at one of the two Margaritavilles.

Dates:

Margaritaville Ocho Rios on Monday, August 16, 2010 and Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Margaritaville Montego Bay on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 and Thursday, August 19, 2010

Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, July 30th, 2010 (click to enlarge/pulse para agrandar)

2010-08-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

Montego Bay Sunset At The Twisted Kilt

2010-08-06T16:28:00.000-07:00

I caught this picture of a lovely Montego Bay sunset while I sat at the bar of the Twisted Kilt last week. "Thank you" were the only words that came to mind.

Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, July 23rd, 2010 (click to enlarge/pulse para agrandar)

2010-07-30T15:34:00.000-07:00

We went till 4:30 in the morning. It was great seeing so many people here from Colombia and Venezuela and our regulars from Mexico, Cuba and Spain. Thanks as usual to our usual Mobay Yardies and Indians. Sumfest was on but we still got our crowd and I am happy you all came out. You known Irie Latino vibes always keep going and going and going...!

Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, July 16th, 2010 (click to enlarge/pulse para agrandar)

2010-07-19T11:31:00.001-07:00

Well the rain came down at the beginning of the night but so what? It's Copacabana Friday at Bluebeat in Montego Bay, Jamaica and we don't let a little thing like rain stop us. Hey, this is the tropics and we are the only hurricane in town. Some folks moved from the terrace to the lounge but how about those girls who just kept dancing in the rain! The rain eventually eased and the heat of the Latin beats, reggaeton, salsa and merengue turned all that water on the terrace to pure steam. Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, Spain, the United States, Trinidad and Jamaica were all represented by smiling, happy, lovely people. That's how we do a Latin night from Jamaica to the world in beautiful Mobay town...

An Irie Latino Drinking Solution

2010-07-14T17:32:00.000-07:00

If you are having a stressful evening, go down to the Far Out Fish Hut (see earlier blog post) and order an Appleton Special Rum and Coke. The waitress will serve the Appleton Special in a glass filled with ice and she'll give you the Pepsi (instead of Coke) in a bottle. Now take your drink and find the bench and table nearest to the Caribbean Sea. Sit down and face the ocean. Don't try to forget your problems. Just relax and after a short while your problems will flow right out of you into the vast expanse of water and sky a few feet away. Believe it or not, just like everything else in the universe your problems need their freedom too, and the tropical evening offers them so much more than your tense muscles and over-worked brain. They will fly away in a minute, skipping along the waves, probably heading north to Cuba for salsa, cigars and a stroll through the streets of Santiago.

Once they have gone, this problematic world will seem a little different. You will realize the Caribbean breeze is offering a gentle massage if you're willing to accept it, the waves breaking on the reef are singing a song and that fly buzzing around the table isn't so annoying anymore. He's just playing a silly game. A cruise ship appears over the horizon and it occurs to you that people around the world are paying an arm and a leg to join you on the north coast of Jamaica.

The rum in that glass is crying out for attention. Add the Pepsi to the rum, take a sip and suddenly Timba music can be heard coming from Cuba ninety miles across the sea and it's in perfect sync with that good old Jamaican reggae. Now that's a sweet DJ Irie Latino blend, wouldn't you say? I think I'll have another rum, boys and girls. Don't worry about me. It's not a drinking problem. It's a drinking solution. Cheers!

Reggae Sumfest 2010's Lineup Of Stars

2010-07-10T14:32:00.000-07:00

Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, July 10th, 2010 (click to enlarge/pulse para agrandar)

2010-07-10T05:35:00.000-07:00

Put a Bluebeat cocktail to your lips, enjoy that tropical breeze floating across the terrace from the Caribbean Sea and let that beat move your hips, your legs, your whole body to that salsa, reggaeton or merengue rhythm. Look around and see the smiles, hear the laughter and share the chatter. It's Friday, everything is cool and as a matter of fact everything is just great and you deserve every fun-filled minute. It's another Copacabana Friday just for you. The regulars were there so the rum poured freely and the jokes didn't stop until the last song was played. Cuba was represented and so was Colombia, Spain, Venezuela, Peru, the Dominican Republic, the United States, England and of course "the Rock". It's Copacabana, baby, where the whole world comes together. A shoutout to the celebrity who was in the house but shall remain nameless. Good to see you again, amigo, and "nuff respect"!

Reggae Sumfest 2010 Was Launched With A Great Party At Pier One

2010-07-08T23:21:00.000-07:00

Forgive me but if you offer me a couple rum and cokes and some good company then that's all I will mostly be interested in for the night and that's exactly what happened last night. It was really a great vibe but let's not forget that the occasion held at Montego Bay's favourite party venue, Pier One, was the launch of this year's Reggae Sumfest, Jamaica's premiere reggae and international music show for the past 18 years which will run from July 17-24 in Montego Bay, so I owe you a semblance of some decent reporting.

The event was well attended by sponsors and guests from around Jamaica and Montego Bay including representatives of Digicel, Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Hotel, Secrets Resort and Spa, Holiday Inn, Sunset Beach Resort and Spa, the Palmyra, the Twisted Kilt, Margaritaville Caribbean, Satori Resort, Altamont Court Hotel, Coral Cliff, Jamaica Air Shuttle and others. From a strictly party perspective it was good to see "people persons" like Sophia Max-Brown, Crazy Neil, Gary Gourzong, Andre Dixon and Donahue Jarret in the place. Hey, it's all about vibes so I'm giving props where they are due. People make the world go round, baby.

But seriously, there was indeed a Reggae Sumfest presentation as expected detailing the performers at this year's show and profiling the official sponsors. This took place somewhere between my third and fifth rum and coke. Johnny Gourzong, Reggae Sumfest's executive director made the key presentation and I caught something very important he said about the Spanish football team and their star player Iniesta in this year's football World Cup. It's good to see that even Reggae Sumfest has their priorities straight when it comes to current affairs and global events. Waka waka...you follow me?

The presentation included a great video of all the performers at Reggae Sumfest 2010. If you're going to ask me who they all are then you really don't know me, do you? But I was promised by Reggae Sumfest officialdom that I will soon be able to link to the video from my blog so keep your attention fixed on Irie Latino. From what I saw via the video Reggae Sumfest 2010 will be a great show as usual featuring the likes of Mavado, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel, Chris Brown, Jah Cure, Usher, Shaggy, Tarrus Riley and Beenie Man to name just a few.

Oh! Richie Loops will also be there...you know...the guy whose drink is in his cup, it's in his cup because what's in his cup stays in his cup because his drink is in his cup. Yep, it's in his cup because his drink is in his cup because it's in his...you guessed it...his cup! Did I mention that his drink is in his cup? It's in his cup. Looking forward to seeing him...and his flippin' cup! I don't really understand why I love that song so much but my psychiatrist and I are working through the problem. Jokes aside, big up to Richie for THE Jamaican song of 2010!

Finally, let me just say that the food was excellent and respect is due to Pier One especially for the quiche. I hope nobody noticed just how many servings I helped myself to. Thank you to Anna-Kay Russell, one of Pier One's bright young owner/managers for inviting me to open the buffet. Clearly, she knows how to identify the hungry bellies in the crowd. Congrats to the whole Pier One team for always making the party special and for always making their patrons feel so much more than special. It was a great start to Reggae Sumfest 2010! (Click on the pics to enlarge)

Irie Latino Moments: The Far Out Fish Hut

2010-07-04T17:02:00.000-07:00

Imagine stingrays coming up to the water's edge while you wait for a dish of spicy, deep-fried escoveitched fish with steamed bammy just a pebble's throw from the Caribbean Sea. It doesn't get more beautiful than this on a balmy Jamaican night. And at the Far Out Fish Hut just twenty minutes east of Montego Bay it doesn't get anymore rustic, either.

A tiny bar and benches under almond trees make this a simple but extraordinary delight in dining. Fine dining it definitely is not and you'll get your soft drink in the bottle or the can but in my book it's a five star, country-styled Jamaican experience. The menu includes fish either deep-fried with escoveitch dressing or steamed. Side orders are fried or steamed bammy or sliced hard dough bread.

I took the night pic with a Blackberry that carries no flash so the quality is not that great but I still decided to use that photograph because it captured the twilight ambiance of a great night at the Far Out Fish Hut with some friends. The second pic of what turned out to be the most delightfully tasty escoveitched fish I have had in a long time was taken on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Note the bammy served in aluminum foil and my Fruta drink still in the can...simple pleasures!

Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, July 2nd, 2010 (click to enlarge/pulse para agrandar)

2010-07-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all my friends who came out from Secrets Resort to show people how to party. Farewell to my Venezuelan friends who closed the bar as usual (and I only had to play "Alma Llanera" once this time lol). I hope you guys have a great time in Kingston. Vonroy, thanks for coming all the way from Kingston again to tear up the dancefloor. I hope our visitors from Panama and Peru had a great time and I am grateful to all my regulars for always making Copacabana Fridayz special!

Copacabana Fridayz at Bluebeat in Montego Bay featuring DJ Irie Latino...Friday, June 25th, 2010 (click to enlarge/pulse para agrandar)

2010-06-26T02:47:00.000-07:00

It was a great night with friends visiting from as far away as Ocho Rios and visitors coming all the way from Kingston. In the past two weeks friends have made the journey from Ocho Rios to Montego Bay to join the Irie Latino party. Thank you guys for coming. I never forget Ocho Rios where Irie Latino got its start and I miss you guys so much. A warm hello to our guests from Chicago last night and of course a big shout out to our regulars who were there as usual to keep it special. To all my Mexican friends I wish you good luck in your World Cup match against Argentina! I'm proud of you for representing our region so well and making it to the second round!

The World Cup, Passion and Belief in Yourself

2010-06-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

I think what this World Cup of surprising upsets is showing so far is that it takes passion and belief in yourself to win. You need both and not just one. Who wants victory more? Who has self-confidence? Sure training matters and so does skill. Sure money is important and of course luck has a part to play.

But look at it this way. The effectiveness of training or the effort put out in training is determined by your passion. Discipline does not survive long without enthusiasm unless it is obtained under duress. And when it is obtained under duress it may crumble without a strict enforcer. How enthusiastic you are about your objectives is critical to your commitment and discipline in obtaining them.

Slovakia did not show any fear in their defeat of Italy nor did Switzerland show any fear in their victory against Spain. It came down to belief in themselves. So often in the World Cup you see teams playing badly because they are in awe of their opposition and after the game we comment that they could have played much better than they did. The teams with confidence who believe in themselves put on much better performances.

Take Jamaica, for example, who in 1998 defied all odds and made it to the World Cup. That team was not necessarily the most skillful team we ever had but they played as an efficient team. Why? They were united by passion and enthusiasm and they believed in themselves. Their coach Rene Simoes may not have been the smartest tactician or strategist in the world but he had the ability to help them believe that they could beat anybody and being a Brazilian he was was able to impart that country's passion for football to them. The result was a team that trained hard together, improved their skills along the way, became a cohesive unit and believed they could win. The vital inter-connection between passion and self-belief was clearly evident in that team and their progress to the World Cup stage in France. On their arrival in France they lost some confidence I believe partly because their coach became somewhat frightened of the stage he was now on for the first time and this affected his judgment.

Passion and belief in yourself must constantly be cultivated if you want enduring success in your endeavors. France's internal squabbles during this World Cup affected their enthusiasm and perhaps Italy was not as driven as before because they were now the World Champions. One must always be careful to watch out for those circumstances or thought processes and behaviours that can adversely affect enthusiasm. Over-confidence can give you a false belief in yourself and over-confidence occurs when your striving for success is replaced by the feeling that you no longer need to do so. People who are truly passionate about something believe that there is no cut-off point to improvement. They believe that there is always something better that awaits them and that their learning process never ends. Don't forget this when you become a champion at whatever it is that you do. It is the key to maintaining your passion and a healthy belief in yourself!

Gloves, Angels and Beggars

2010-06-21T11:27:00.000-07:00

I was just walking in downtown Montego Bay and saw a man selling gloves and shouting "if anybody waan strangle s'mady in dem sleep and nuh leave no fingerprint see di glove dem here!" (translated from Jamaican patois that means "If anybody wants to strangle anyone in their sleep without leaving fingerprints I've got the gloves for the job right here!") In terms of shock value this could only be beaten by the time a half-naked Montego Bay beggar walked up to me and said an angel appeared to him and told him that I was his father.

You can overhear the strangest things in downtown Montego Bay. So...if you're in Montego Bay and you need those gloves the guy can be found on Market Street. If he's not there just ask my half-naked street begging son where to find him. If my wayward son isn't there then maybe somebody used the gloves to strangle him in his sleep without leaving fingerprints. If the killer figured nobody would know then he clearly didn't take into account the gossipy angel that knows everything. It happens in downtown Mobay.

Irie Latino Moments: The Little Bathing Spot

2010-06-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

I took this pic with a Blackberry mobile phone on a somewhat overcast day. It's a little bathing spot right on the North Coast highway in Wiltshire, Trelawny. Nothing special...just another tiny beauty spot of which the North Coast is full.

Tourists and indeed many Jamaicans may know only the popular attractions but believe me the coastal area is laden with hidden beaches and coves, little known waterfalls, bathing pools along rivers, look-out points and gardens. The little community of Wiltshire built those steps on the rocks years ago for people in the area who want to go swimming and now almost every day folks from Wiltshire and beyond park their cars beside the road to enjoy this little piece of crystal clear Caribbean sea.

Feeling At Home In The Twisted Kilt

2010-06-10T12:03:00.000-07:00

Very few bars in Montego Bay have that kind of warm, homely feeling that I believe any good bar should have but you’ll find that atmosphere in The Twisted Kilt sports bar on the Hip Strip in Montego Bay. It’s an Irish themed bar in tropical Jamaica which makes it a real standout but what strikes you immediately as you order your first drink or meal is the service.

In the midst of the tourist-driven madness of the Hip Strip where the larger entertainment venues focus on the big and quick tourist dollar, the Kilt (as it is popularly called for short) still takes the time to make regular customers feel special through close personal attention from their staff. It really is refreshing and while a lot of their clientele are tourists this kind of service has made faithful, repeat guests out of locals. I liken the atmosphere at times to the old sitcom Cheers where “everybody knows your name”. I walk in there sometimes and my Rum and Coke arrives before I even open my mouth to say “rum and coke”. Now that’s service...that's family!

Prices are a bit high and perhaps that is where the differences end between the Kilt and other Hip Strip joints. High Hip Strip prices are one of my major pet peeves but here’s the thing as it relates to the Kilt. You really see what you are paying for in terms of the service, the attention of the staff and the quality of the bar and surroundings. The ocean terrace is nothing short of magnificent and when the sun is out it’s a picture perfect day.

As much as you get that special cozy atmosphere from the Kilt it’s also known for some pretty electric, crowd filled nights. It’s the leading sports bar in Montego Bay and big televised sporting events usually pack the house. If you attended the Superbowl Tailgate party at the Kilt earlier this year you probably would have sworn you were in the United States to be witnessing this much excitement over an American football game. Televised boxing matches, soccer games and the Olympics have seen similar throngs.

And of course there is St. Patrick’s Day which is probably their most surreal day because this is Jamaica where St. Patrick’s Day isn’t really celebrated and it’s a bit of a shocker to see everyone in green , chugging beer and enjoying Irish music (well I should say more tolerating than enjoying because it really is a far cry from reggae and dancehall but at least on St. Patrick’s Day the minds are open).

I’m always a great fan of “something different” and that’s why I like The Twisted Kilt. Grab a “wee" lass if you’re a lad or grab a lad if you’re a lass and come on down to the Kilt to have some good conversation, hearty laughs and a pint or two with the other lads and lasses.

Make It A Blackwell Rum Sunday

2010-06-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

Jamaican music industry legend and founder of Island Records, Chris Blackwell, who has spent a lifetime promoting Jamaican culture through music recently turned his attention to another aspect of our culture...rum! Thank God for that because my Sundays have never been the same. It started one Sunday evening at a friend’s beautiful townhouse on the seafront in Montego Bay. My friend asked a group of us if we would like to try the new Blackwell Rum, named after the icon himself. Being an Appleton or Bacardi man I wasn’t really interested but I reluctantly gave it a try along with the others.

Our first taste of Blackwell created a great first impression. On opening the bottle the first thing that strikes you is a strong aroma of caramel. In my opinion, the taste is unique, sweet and super-charged rum. Personally, even though I hear it is great for mixed drinks I like to sip it neat like a cognac. It does feel a lot like enjoying a good brandy. No ice, please!

Such was our impression of Blackwell Rum on that evening that it led to the birth of what we now call Blackwell Rum Sundays, a weekly Sunday dinner with friends accompanied by a bottle of Blackwell, or two, depending on how festive the mood. Try it next Sunday. If you are not anywhere on the Jamaican north coast with the moon reflected in the water and a balmy breeze coming from the sea then with this uniquely flavoured Jamaican rum you can at least pretend.