President hosts lavish CCJ bash

SATURDAY night’s inaugural gala hosted by President George Maxwell Richards was the most lavish event hosted at President’s House for some time. Nothing was lacking — food, drinks or entertainment. Because it was dubbed a “black tie affair,” the black ties came out, not forgetting the elaborate and expensive dresses worn by the women. Many dresses were designer made, and this must have pleased Peter Elias (who was in his black tie). The gala dinner was put on for the delegates who attended the inauguration of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Saturday morning at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s. The gala was advertised for 7.30 pm but guests started arriving long before. The police were out in full force, directing traffic around the Queen’s Park Savannah. Joggers were heard commenting on the fabulous attire of the invitees.

Guests were ushered into President’s House, but it soon became evident that the main hall was going to be too small for everyone. More than 1,000 guests were invited and it seemed they all attended. The Enter the Dragon dancer set the stage for more to come. Outside the main building, were several huge tents set up to accommodate the guests. The decor was expensive but well put together. There was a huge stage and a large dome covering it. That meant that a big cultural show was going to be held for the large contingent of foreigners in the midst. They were greeted by the Laventille Rhythm Section, the Point Fortin Iron Giants, Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra, Pantasy Steel Orchestra, Anselm Walters, Lydian Steel, Xavier’s drummers, Watusi Cultural Caravan — Moko Jumbies, and Tan Tan and Saga Boy costumes from Rosalind Gabriel’s winning 2005 Band of the Year presentation.

Two big bars were set up on opposite ends of the spacious ground, but very soon, one of the bars was empty. On several tables, were bottles of champagne and wine which were very popular with the guests, including some who never drank the stuff before. The bars were doing brisk business. But the food area was not to be outshone. There were different dishes — Caribbean Court cocktail, Caribbean Creole, a Chinese Encounter, an Indian Romance, Arabian Nights, and Sweet Memories. The President and his wife Dr Richards, the hosts, were putting on what many considered the most elaborate event at President’s House for years. Among the guests were Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his wife Hazel, Chief Justice Sat Sharma and his wife, and the new President of the CCJ, Michael de la Bastide QC and his wife.

Several Caribbean prime ministers were present along with legal luminaries from the various territories in the region. But the cultural show kept the guests glued to the stage and the many video screens mounted around the ground. Trinidad and Tobago were represented by Sandra Hamilton, Brother Resistance with his “Ring the Bell for Freedom,” Shiv Shakti dancers, David Bereaux and his ole time calypso, Malick dancers, the Repertory Dance Company with “Fusion,” calypsonian Manchild with his winning CCJ song, Wendell Constantine and Wendy Sheppard, and upcoming star KMC.

There were drums, voices and dances from Suriname, Gabby from Barbados belting out his popular “Government Boots” and a song on the CCJ, the Mighty Junior from St Kitts/Nevis, Faith Livingstone and Marjorie Whylie from Jamaica, Kirkland “KB” Bodies from the Bahamas, and Arturo Tappin on his saxophone. The event was a very costly one, which could cost millions of dollars. The fireworks display which had threatened the Pan in the 21st Century competition at the Queen’s Park Savannah, came off without a hitch just after 11 pm. Guests remained on the President’s House grounds to witness the colourful display in the sky. Having hosted such a lavish event, President Richards left yesterday for Indonesia to participate in activities commemorating the Golden Jubilee of the 1995 Asian-African conference. The President was accompanied by his wife Dr Ramjohn-Richards.