The popular Shades exotic night club, located in Content Garden, Ocho
Rios, St Ann will be hosting their 20th anniversary celebration with a one-week line-up filled with non-stop adult entertainment, commencing on Saturday, February 22 at the club.
Proprietor of Shades Night Club, Lloyd Cameron told The Times about the club’s 20-year journey as it is now on the eve of this important milestone. Mr Cameron spoke proudly of Shades and its success from the opening, starting as far back as the opening date on February 19, 1994.“We did not initially start out as an exotic club, just as a seafood centre and bar,” said Mr. Cameron, “but as nights went by visitors kept asking me about the dancers.” This was because the location previously housed a dancing club and some persons already knew Mr Cameron for the nightclub he operated in Highgate, St Mary. The ‘Dolphin Night Club’ as it was known was not a success and Mr Cameron had moved on to a new venture in Ocho Rios. But as the seafood business was not good, people wanted more and in six months Shades was being born, giving the people what they wanted. “The club only started with three dancers. When they walked in that day and asked for a job, I said no, but before they went through the gate I eventually changed my mind and called them back” Mr Cameron said. “Start working tonight” he told them. From that point the establishment began taking on a new look in terms of capital and visitors. “By the end of the week the club ended up with nine dancers,” Mr Cameron said. And it was from there, Shades began to grow in to a top class club, offering a variety of entertainment evenings. Shades night club now has 30 exotic dancers and opens seven nights per week offering its special brand of tasteful adult entertainment in an atmosphere of comfort and security.Mr Cameron also made mention that the level of discipline with young men towards the dancers 20 years ago has made a huge improvement. “Our 20th anniversary celebration will surely be one to look out for as the week will be filled with excitement,” Mr Cameron saidThe opening night, which will be Saturday, February 22 will accommodate several disc jocks and celebrities such as Bad Boy Trevor, Charly Blacks, Merciless and Mikeylous. Music will be provided by ZJ-Ice from ZIP 103 FM. The night will also consist of a reunion for Shades dancers, going back 20 years.“Sunday, will be a pool party by the Playboy Mansion and will be a day and night affair” Said Cameron. Again, music will be provided by ZJ-ICE, DJ Mars sound system & guest celebritiesMonday Night, Feb 24 will consist of a talent/Comedy/Karaoke night with Jamaican James Brown, Jamaican Michael Jackson, Bashment Granny and Extreme Rushers. The emcee for the night will be Marlene Johnson.Tuesday Night the club will showcase ‘Retro Freaks’ with the best of past freaky performers.Wednesday night, patrons will be in for a ton load of fun as it will be ‘Freaky girls gone wild’ with action on stage, including the girls involved in oil wrestling, with wet and wild fun & lots of exotic party games.On Thursday night, Feb 27, you can expect a blast from the past Retro Party night with a musical journey throughout the ages. Music will be provided by DJ-Cogg from Chronixx Sound. Also in the music line-up will be Digital Chris from IRIE FM. A few veteran artistes will also be present. The theme for the night will classical period fashion wear (Old Clothes).WEEKEND“As the weekend approaches the fun doesn’t stop” Said Mr Cameron. On Friday night the club will go by the theme name Freaky Night– Veterans vs New Stars. This will be a ladies’ party night and will also feature male dancers from Bad Boy Entertainment. The Emcee for Freaky Night will be TUTU.Saturday is Ladies Party Night featuring Guest selectors, extreme pushers dance group out of Dancing Dynamites and male exotic dancers from Bad Boys Entertainment and featuring controversial recording artiste Jay Amsterdam (wine inna me face)Sunday evening will start with a Boat Ride at Mahogony Beach, Ocho Rios. Music will be provided by DJ- Blade, DJ-Rock and All Stars, with the after party back at the club.Tickets for the pool party is pre-sold only at a cost of only $2,000 and will be inclusive of with finger foods and mixed drinks.Boat ride tickets are also pre-sold and will costs $3,000 which is also all inclusive. For information on ticket purchasing contact Shades Night Club at 974-4713. Mr Cameron also spoke of the popularity of Shades night club overseas and locally. “It’s a very popular club and tourists and visitors from abroad make the visit to the club a must on their agenda.” Shades night club also hosts a few annual events, such as Miss Shades Exotic Dancing Queen, a unique feature which highlights the dancers’ intelligence and talent which is not found among other night clubs throughout Jamaica; the popular Shades pon de beach which is normally held in July, Mr. Cameron’s birthday bash, celebrated in November and Staff party and customer appreciation in December.Mr Cameron says the challenges he faces include the tough economic times and having to maintain the facilities. “But despite the hard times, Shades is a true success, the brand has made its mark locally and internationally. We have 50 employees working at the club including dancers, so we keep moving forward positively and it’s good to know we can help to feed several families” Cameron said.In addition the club also plans to launch several products to help market the Shades night club and is establishing an escort service via its website www.shadesnightclub.comMr. Cameron sees a very healthy future for the Shades Brand and looks forward confidently to its next 20 years.