City of El Dorado, Night in Paris ... or maybe Millennium Magic? -range of alluring ways to ring in the new year By Samantha Alleyne Stabroek News December 31, 1999 While some may want "New Year's Day", January 1, to break with them in church yet many others would wish to start 2000 dancing in the arms of loved ones or dining out with those who are special to them. Stabroek News took a look at what is being offered at various places tonight. One of the most enchanting evenings can be spent at the Le Meridien Pegasus which will be hosting two events tonight. The most spectacular of the two is the New Year's Eve ball in the Grand Savannah Ballroom with the theme "A Night in Paris" and patrons are being encouraged to welcome the new millennium with "true French chic" in the Ballroom from 8.00 pm until 2000 and enjoy a new millennium breakfast before returning home. Patrons will tuck into a French gourmet buffet which is part of a three-course meal and they would also be decked out in hats. Noise makers and drinks are available at the local bar. The door prize of a trip for two to Paris, courtesy of Suriname Airways and Air France, is also on offer. Music will be provided by The Originals. The cost for that night is only US$70 and reservations can be made. And if certain sections of the public think that a Parisian night is not their fun event, then they can kick off their shoes and "Jump up into 2000" at the Pegasus Poolside. The hotel is encouraging the public to welcome the New Year in true Caribbean style from 8.00 pm till dawn. A ticket costs $4,500 and it includes a barbecue dinner with music provided by the Majestics. The Hotel Tower is also offering an evening in 'heaven' on that night. It will host a formal ball on the upper floors of the hotel. They are calling their night "City of El Dorado" and the cost per person is $10,000 with dinner and breakfast. Music will be provided by Matts Digital and there will be champagne at midnight, while party hats and noise makers are available. The special attraction will be a gold nugget which is being offered as a door prize. Patrons can also visit the hotel's poolside party for $4,000 where they will have dinner and enjoy music by live bands throughout the night. The Tennessee night club will host its normal disco night featuring an Indian music band. And Wee Place Hotel and Disco will showcase live performances by Pete's Caribbean Band which will play both Indian and English music. All ladies will be entitled to a glass of wine. "Mingles Millennium Magic" will dominate at Thirst Park with the Mingles Sound Machine. This party is billed as an "Old Year's Nite with a difference". An all inclusive party dinner, champagne at midnight, breakfast and local and foreign bars will be offered. Tickets can be picked up at Kings Jewellery World and Citizens Bank. Top security protection is promised. The People's National Congress will host a grand Old Year's Night dance at Congress Place, Sophia. Tickets cost $2000 per person and $3500 a couple and these can be picked up at all NP supermarket outlets. Music will be provided by Mad Max, Thunderstorm International and door prizes and food hampers will be offered. The action begins from 10.00 pm till dawn. And surely that's not all, because the People's Progressive Party has arranged a grand street fair and dance in front of Freedom House on Robb Street. There will be dancing and games while barbecue will be on sale along with the widest array of beverages. Parents will be able to allow their children to enjoy the evening since the fun begins at 5.00 pm. Later they can take their children home and return to enjoy the rest of the night. The street will be closed to traffic to allow revellers to dance. Palm Court Restaurant and Bar will hold an all-night fete with music by a Barbadian band and the Mischievous Guys. Here the tickets are going at US$100. Patrons will have a three-course dinner plus drinks. Breakfast will consist of garlic labba and pepperpot, among other things. The door prizes will include a trip to the Baracara Island Resort. The Sidewalk Cafe and Jazz Club will mount "Millennium Magic" with music by Fusion. The event is described as a "red carpet affair" and patrons can save $500 if they purchase their tickets before the night since at the door the cost will be $2,500. The ticket entitles you to a champagne dinner. Park Hotel is having a dinner and dance with a band from Barbados and the cost to enter this gala affair will be US$100 a person. And the Commissioner and Officers of the Guyana Police Force invite all to their "Annual New Year's Eve Ball", at their Officers' Mess. The action will get kicking at 10.00 pm until "question mark" with music by the Cannonball Band and the Police Steel Orchestra. Supper and breakfast will be served and admission is $6,000. Tickets can be obtained from the police finance office and at the Officers' Mess. President Bharrat Jagdeo is expected to herald in the New Year with the officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) at their officers' ball at the Officers' Club. The Warrant Officers will also have their ball on the same night at the GDF mess hall. It is expected to be "a Night of Happiness'. Not to be forgotten, the Mayor and City Council will hold a special event at Stabroek Square - the first of its kind - beginning at 8 pm tonight. A potpourri of entertainment is promised for citizens. As a consequence, Stabroek Square will be closed to vehicular traffic. The mayor is billed to deliver remarks at midnight. A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples