By Julian Putley

As the sun sets, the full moon rises and the calm of a Caribbean evening sets in. Soon, aromas of delicious West Indian dishes waft in the evening breeze as visitors and locals stroll along the waterfront promenade that winds its way around the crescent of Trellis Bay. It's full-moon party time at Jeremy's Cybercafe, and excitement is in the air. After everyone has eaten from the sumptuous buffet, the band swings into action, with revellers dancing to the irresistible beat of local fungi music. The burning fireballs are lit and then the surprise guests arrive: Mocko jumbies on their lofty stilts stride through the crowd displaying their acrobatic antics, delighting young and old alike.

Then the heavy-duty party crowd moves west to Bomba's Surfside Shack, where another full-moon party is just getting into high gear. The Shack has an ambience all its own. The structure has been built up over the years with every kind of driftwood, flotsam and jetsam imaginable, and quite a bit of lady's lingerie adorns the building. A reggae band plays hard and dancers gyrate to rocking music with the help of Bomba's special punch. At midnight the adventurous can sample the mushroom tea, the hallmark of Bomba's full-moon party. By the wee hours you'll likely be howling at the moon. Yep, a great time can be had in the BVI at full-moon time.

Cane Garden Bay is home to Quito's almost legendary nightspot, Quito's Gazebo. Now completely refurbished, the split-level gazebo is more charming than ever. The second floor gives you a fantastic view of the band, and the acoustics are great as well. Quito plays "unplugged" most nights of the week, but on Fridays and Saturdays the house is rockin' with Quito and the talented reggae band, The Edge. Favourites like "My Island," "Hotter on the Phone" and "This Little Bird" have the house cheering and whistling for more.

Just down the beach vying for attention is Myett's Garden Inn & Grille. Here there's live music most nights, and partygoers can dance surrounded by a garden under the trees. To have two first-class venues within walking distance up the beach is a treat indeed.

In Road Town, the Bat Cave is the hottest spot in town. Simply delicious Italian food is served in its own restaurant, Spaghetti Junction. After dinner, the fun really begins with live music interspersed with talented DJs who'll have you on the floor in no time. There's a pole in the middle of the floor, where many partygoers strut their stuff.

In Virgin Gorda, the Rock Café is the place to head to for late night fun. Live bands often perform upstairs by the open-air dance floor, and most evenings a professional pianist or two will entertain in the piano bar. In fact, an entire evening can be happily spent here by first indulging in the Rock Café's Italian/Caribbean cuisine. Ask for the grouper in pesto sauce… mmmm!

Still on Virgin Gorda, The Bitter End's resident band, The Latitude Stars, provide a fun evening of popular reggae to dance to in their Almond Grove venue, and The Bath and Turtle in Spanish Town have a fun Jump Up on Wednesdays.

A happy hour show not to be missed is multi-talented Beans, who performs in season on the hill at Marina Cay. His foot-stompin' pirate songs, conch-blowing contest and pirate trivia questions for free shots of Pusser's rum will have you muttering "Aaaaarrrh" all the way back to your boat or ferry.

Just across the water at Trellis Bay's Bellamy Cay is the renowned restaurant Last Resort. The singing chef is a highly skilled guitarist and entertainer, and after dinner the show will have you laughing in your seats. The Loose Mongoose hosts MJ Blues on Sunday nights. This Jimmy Hendrix play-a-like is a must-see-and-hear performer. He even plays behind his head or with his teeth, never missing a beat. Enjoy the great value barbeque and dance in the sand afterwards.

Foxy's Tamarind Bar on Jost Van Dyke is legendary, and live music and dancing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday is the highlight of many a persons' trip. If Foxy himself is not playing, you can see his effigy sitting in a corner — still with that grin and a glint in his eye. It was Reuben Chinnery who helped make Foxy's famous back in the early 1970s with his rich baritone voice and inimitable way. Now the seasoned performer plays his unique island style at venues like the Pub, Ivan's Stress Free Bar and the Bananakeet in Tortola.

Whether you like to sit back and be entertained or dance the night away, there is no shortage of choices in the beautiful BVI.

2008/2009 Full Moon Dates

• August 16, 2008
• September 15, 2008
• October 14, 2008
• November 13, 2008
• December 12, 2008
• January 10, 2009
• February 9, 2009
• March 10, 2009
• April 9, 2009
• May 9, 2009
• June 7, 2009
• July 7, 2009
• August 5, 2009
• September 4, 2009
• October 4, 2009
• November 2, 2009
• December 2, 2009
• December 31, 2009

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