On Valentine’s Day and more

Who says you have to celebrate your love only on February 14?

Sandals Barbados changed the rules to immerse locals in The Love Experience for their post-Valentines event Love Is All You Need, last Friday. Under the pink fluorescent lights of the Sandals Royal Ballroom, couples embraced and friends danced away their worries until 2 a.m. at the inaugural all-inclusive banquet-styled event fitted for approximately 300 persons.

The event which was priced at $250 per person and $400 for couples attracted a moderate crowd who was looking forward to a good time. The ambiance was set from 9:00 p.m. as the crowd trickled into the Maxwell Gardens Christ Church venue. The array of deejays got the crowd going with R&B, reggae, dancehall, and soca, but it was when the clock struck 12 and the headlining performers of the night appeared that they truly began to party.

Barbadian band 2 Mile Hill led by vocalists Mahalia Cummins opened with the 1987 pop classic (I’ve Had) Time Of My Life. The band catered to all age groups with their diverse song choices. Even patrons who stood at the bar enjoying mouth-watering hors d’oeurves did a little “jig” during their rendition of Rihanna’s hit We Found Love, Maroon 5’s Moves Like Jagger, Lean On by Major Lazer and Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You. Just after 1 a.m., the group switched it up playing their 2018 single Conversation and delving into the dancehall/reggae with tunes like Skankin Sweet by Chronixx and Under the Sycamore Tree by Lady Saw. The group closed The Love Experience with their popular single Let It Go leaving the patrons to go home on an energetic note.

Resort manager of Sandals Resort Barbados Dana Gilbert was pleased with the proceedings. Gilbert revealed that the resort decided to host the post-Valentines event to show the public what Sandals Barbados has to offer.

She indicated that there was a good turnout and retorted that the “chill” night was “all about love and celebrating life”.

“Genuinely in life, love is really all you need and will get you by. So many worries in this world and troubles in this world but if you have love, it is a done deal,” she said. (KK)