By Carolyn Johnson & Sanjae Sterling, Freelance Writers

Montego Bay Hip Strip. - file

While many Jamaicans are still dealing with the ravages of 'Dean', the dangerous category four hurricane that lashed the island on Sunday, it seems the only disaster for most entertainment venues is a lack of electricity.

Most of the proprietors and representatives of popular party and hang-out venues that spoke with The Star yesterday said they suffered zero to minimal damage due to the passage of the hurricane. These minor issues were already being addressed. At present, the only hindrance for most, which are yet to resume business, is the lack of electricity. This, the Jamaican Public Service promises, should be restored by the end of the week.

A representative from Palace Amusement Company, operators of four cinemas in Jamaica, including Carib 5 in Cross Roads, Kingston and Palace Multiplex in Montego Bay, said that while she can confirm there were no damages to the Montego Bay cinema, she could not comment on Carib 5. Still, she said that all cinemas have been in full operation since Tuesday. Despite this, their online site has no listings for Wednesday, declaring, "No information currently available for today!"

Some upgrading

For the owner of Village Café, Barbican Road, this time will be used to do some upgrading and renovating. Robert Collins said there was no real damage but figures "Now is a good time [for renovations]. The entertainment scene is not so busy, we can start getting some work done." While he was unwilling to give away too much, Collins said this upgrading will provide "a lot more promising experience". The Café is now open, except for the balcony.

Meanwhile, head of marketing and public relations at Margaritaville Limited, Michelle Tulloch, told The Star all their properties have been opened since Tuesday. "Most of our properties are on the seaside and as you know with 'Ivan', I believe we were caught off guard. We had some damages last year but this year we were more prepared. All our properties have a backup generator," she said.

"In regards to tourism we'll have to wait and see. Depending on what comes in the media persons will be making choices. We are in touch with our hotel managers and business associates just to get a feel of what is happening."

Back in Kingston, The Deck, Trafalgar Road, New Kingston, had no real damage. "No damages everything went well," owner Richard Spence said. "We are grateful. God has been good." Although they received power on Tuesday, The Deck has been opened since Monday.

Popular nightclub Asylum sustained some damage to the roof while an air conditioning duct was blown off. Brain Chung, part owner of both Asylum and The Quad, reported "All clubs will be open on Friday." He said that while power was restored to The Quad yesterday, Asylum had power from Monday. "It was not as bad as we thought we would have got," he said.

On Oxford Road, Mas Camp only sustained some damage to the fence. A representative said that while they are just about ready to begin operation, there are no bookings until next month, largely because of the election. The Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre and the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre, both operated by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission have again stood the test of time. "The concrete structure is intact. The bar at Ranny Williams, all the roof on both sides have been torn off, ficus trees have fallen and some poles that hang sponsors' banners, lots have been torn down," human resource manager of the commission, Sharon Dunkley, said. Apart from the debris, she said their issue is electricity, which has not been restored. Following this and cleaning, which has already begun, the venues will be reopened next week.

Weekenz, Constant Spring Road, seems to be the worst hit of the lot, though this too was not big. "We didn't suffer much, [except] to the side where the board shed is, only place that had some zinc blown off," manager Winston Watkis told The Star. Added to this, he said, the only issue was debris from tree branches, leaves and lack of electricity. "We don't have any power. The generator only can do so much, can't run the entire place," he said. He is looking to have the power restored today or by the end of the week. Weekenz will also be reopened next week.