Music and rhythm are an important part of the legacy of the BVI — indeed of all the eastern Caribbean islands. Whether it is reggae music, a fungi band, rhythm ’n’ blues, calypso or soca, you can find it in the BVI.

By Julian Putley

Every year, an international musical extravaganza in the form of a three-day festival takes place in Cane Garden Bay, and one of the headline acts is the BVI’s own Quito and the Edge. Quito has his club, Quito’s Gazebo, in Cane Garden Bay, and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights the place is rocking. Quito also plays solo on Tuesday and Thursday. For late-night revellers, it’s a must.

There’s plenty of party action all around the BVI. In Virgin Gorda, the Bath and Turtle has been holding its Wednesday night “jump up” for years. After the dinner crowd has finished, the band swings into action — and it just gets better and better as the night progresses. By 11 p.m., the place is heaving with merry abandon.

At the Bitter End Yacht Club, most nights will see the Latitude Stars in action at the Almond Walk. Their repertoire includes reggae, soca, pop rock and ballads. Still at the Bitter End, at the Pub opposite the marina, a DJ spins the latest hip-hop and electro/techno tunes, and the international crowd shows off its latest moves. In Spanish Town at Chez Bamboo, the popular local band Phase Two plays on into the night on Fridays.

The dinner show at the Last Resort in Trellis Bay is always fun. Extremely talented Almighty Al, The Singing Chef, puts on a great show with plenty of audience participation and free tequila shots. On Sundays, at the evening beach barbecue across the bay at the Loose Mongoose, MJ Blues plays blues and rock in Jimi Hendrix’s style. Dance on the sand under the stars!

Island legend Ruben Chinnery plays from his own huge repertoire of island music at the Heritage Inn on Wednesday and Friday nights. His rich baritone voice and 12-string guitar will have you captivated. It is no secret that Chinnery and his band made Foxy’s famous in the ’70s. Today, Foxy’s on Jost van Dyke is an island tradition, and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights the wild music has visitors dancing on the tables. There’s a sexy limbo contest and a shake-your-booty contest. Don’t miss them.

In Road Town, the ever-popular Bat Cave, the nighttime party venue coupled with the excellent Italian restaurant Spaghetti Junction, plays popular DJ music into the wee hours. There’s even a pole in the middle of the dance floor where girls can dance to their evocative utmost.

The Jolly Roger at the West End of the island hosts live bands most weekends in the season. The open-air bar and restaurant with a stage at one end is a perfect dance and party spot. With international names like Maxx Cabello Jr. and Hudson and the Hoodoo Cats, a big crowd is guaranteed.

The BVI’s most famous parties are at full moon. Bomba, of Bomba’s Shack fame, started the idea of a full-moon party more than 20 years ago. The Shack, as it is fondly known in Tortola, is almost entirely constructed of driftwood, and interesting graffiti welcomes curious guests. There is enough lingerie decorating the shack to make you believe you’re among exalted people. A reggae band starts at about 9 p.m., and the scene is rather like an American “block party,” with people milling around drinking and chatting. The difference here is that you’re on the beach with the moon shining and the water shimmering. The band cranks up as the evening progresses, and mushroom tea is served at midnight.

At Trellis Bay, the full-moon party is much more of a cultural event. The evening starts with a buffet dinner of local Caribbean dishes. Goat water, fried fish and Johnny cakes, conch stew, bull foot soup and souse are just some of the offerings. At 9 p.m., burning sculptures or fireballs are lit and mocko jumbies — amazing stilt walkers in costume — start mingling with the crowd. Then the band strikes up and there’s dancing under the stars, while the mocko jumbies perform amazing acrobatic stunts.

Enjoy the BVI’s unique nightlife. It’s part of a lifetime’s memories.

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