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Audience members enjoy the expanse of the VIP section at the Foundation Music Showcase, in January.

Sadeke Brooks, Gleaner Writer

To some people, the VIP sections of many parties, concerts and other events seem expensive, but there are those who believe it is total value for money.

Mikey, who works in the Pearnel Charles Arcade in downtown Kingston, says he goes to both VIP and regular sections at parties, but for different reasons.

"Fi impress somebody you might bring dem to VIP because you go in smoother, you get all-inclusive or drinks free and you can see the stage good. Yuh nuh have the whole heap a crowd, boogy-yagga or ray-ray weh deh inna de regular section," he said.

He explained, however, that not all sectors of the society can afford to go to the VIP section, but he believes that it can be worth it.

Value for money

Walter Elmore, who is the promoter for shows like the 'Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Music Festival' and the recent 'Michael Bolton One Night Only', says VIP is value for money based on the perks that are offered. At 'Michael Bolton One Night Only' the VIP section cost $5,000 compared to $3,000 for the regular section. However, patrons in the VIP were served food and they had access to a full bar and all the necessary facilities, as well as comfortable seating that was close to the stage.

Elmore says that at the event, the VIP section was a third of the venue, but at other events it could be as small as five per cent of the venue.

Some people go to VIP, but not for the perks that are supposedly offered, but to merely enjoy the company of friends. Woody, who is a regular patron at parties, says he goes to the VIP section to be close to his friends.

"It (VIP) don't work out in Jamaica. When you deh foreign people actually want to go to the VIP. All inclusive VIP might work out, depending on how much you eat or drink. VIP might be $1,000 more and you only go one inch closer to the stage," Woody said.

However, not all VIP sections are the same. Kamal Bankay of Five Star Entertainment says, "It's not a value for money case with my parties." He added that "usually with my VIP you can't pay to get in. It is for people who are deserving of it like maybe people from PR (public relations), suppliers or the heads of companies".

Creature comforts

He says these persons usually enjoy the comforts of a couch, free food, a full bar, bistro table and easy access to facilities.

Bankay, who is the promoter of 'Mimosa', 'Housexy', 'Memories' and the recent Heineken Green Synergy Regional Finals, says he is usually a VIP patron at other parties. However, he says he will not always be in the VIP section because at events like Beach Jouvert the intention is to 'mix and mingle'. But at others where he goes to the VIP section, it is usually for the purpose of promoting his own parties.

He admits that the number of people in the VIP section has not increased significantly over the years as it is usually the same people that go VIP. He explained that while being in the VIP is a nice experience, it can only be so if one is enjoying the company of friends.

Elmore says "there is growing trend towards people going to VIP. Maybe people want to feel special and it's nice to be close to the stage, you have easy access to the bar and it's like being in first class".