It’s early October and most of us are still recovering from Oktoberfest Lusaka, but there’s no rest for the wicked – PR Girl are up to something already.
Hints of a ‘levels up’, premium, fresh & fun party with a grown and sexy dress code fill the timelines. Lusaka’s curiosity peaked. This is only the beninging (beginning* sorry, I had to 😂). Could you guess the venue? My guess is as good as yours, not very good at all.
With time, a venue is revealed – the 11th floor of the new Sun Share Tower along Katima Mulilo Road in Olympia. Boasting a glorious view of the city, it promises to be a TOP night!
The promotions run, we’re all sooo expectant – a black and gold theme, VIP lounge, happy hour, free drinks on arrival, free canapés, a roll out of DJs set to take us on a trip (from Jazz to Hip Hop) AND the addition of my absolute FAVE Caitlin Deville – you can’t help but think “this is the party of the year!”. What totally wins ME over is the promo video featuring the hosts of the 11th floor festivities – El Mukuka, Cleo Ice Queen, Iris Kaingu and Macky II, they bring the heat and because I suffer severe fomo I am SOLD!
*****************************************
Fast forward to December 16th, the night of (arguably) the most anticipated party of the year – because I’d like to forget all the planning and costs that went into getting ready for the night. It was time, another night out with the squad – all dressed up and ready to turn up at the top 😉
So here’s how the night rolled out for me. The theme was black and gold & we had a dope time but the night wasn’t perfect so let’s play a game – yellow hearts for a win (💛) and black hearts for an L (🖤).
Fashion – 💛💛💛💛💛
In the promo video, my favorite line was Iris’ “Believe it or not, I actually love to get dressed up.” – not only because she was being smart with it but because it really does apply to all of us. We like things and things demand A LOOK.
Lusaka stepped out in style that night. Sun Share was a river of black & gold, as people streamed in on the red carpet. Some played it safe and others took it way out of the park. Even the gents had fun with black and gold. But the night wouldn’t be complete without a hint of blue and red from the rebels 😅
Local designers took the win for the night as lots of us stepped out in their pieces, and the black and gold theme forced us to rip away from the ever-present chitenge in Zambian designs.
I wore a jacket by MK 72 (Miles Kasanda) from his Alchemy collection which I had seen earlier in the year at Zambia Fashion Week and fallen in love. I’m not very fashion forward, so I decided to style it classy hobo.
I’m no fashionista but here’s a few of my favorite looks.
Venue – 💛💛
We hang out in the lobby for a while as we waited on the hosts to pull in the limo!
The idea of a party on the 11th floor with the striking view of Lusaka city was a win in itself, but that particular venue was not ready for a party at the top.
The elevators were so slow, a bunch of us took elevator selfies. I’m claustrophobic, so I already hate the idea of an elevator, but I had to use these ones at least five times that night because the nearest bathrooms were all the way on the 1st floor. I can’t quite remember my reaction when I heard this but the number of angry socialites on the elevator grew with each trip to the bathroom – I’m childish so it was mildly hilarious. Other than that the place was styled to perfection and the views from the top were exhilarating.
Food & Beverages – 🖤🖤
Strongbrow was the welcome cider of choice, Miller the welcome beer – a cup of each, decent.
I was so excited for the canapés, they didn’t come…in their place came a platter of bites for each table/section in the VIP – it was cold, but it kept coming and I appreciate that it kept coming because when you’re inebriated and famished, the temperature doesn’t really matter.
I heard whispers of an elusive food menu – I never saw it but it was there.
The bar was well stocked, providing a decent variety of drinks (beer, cider, champagne and cocktails) – my only qualm here was the hunt for ice that followed a trip to the bar. Other than that we were good to be lit!
VIP was also greeted with a free bottle of boxed Chivas per table, so this lifts the score a little.
Service – 💛💛
In the promos leading to the event everyone was guaranteed bottle service. There was a semblance of it, but it came with a bit of hounding. When it did come though, it was good.
The service at the bar was quick – considering the crowd around it.
We had an elevator guy to push the buttons and control elevator traffic – that was a plus 🤷🏾♂️😅
VIP also had half nekkid Chippendale looking dudes (yes, complete with the bowties) holding up the ropes whenever you wanted to leave or cross over from chintu bwingi – so if that’s your thing, they were your eye candy for the night 😉
Entertainment – 💛💛💛💛💛
This was definitely where the night struck GOLD! No black, except the melanin in the room 😅
El Mukuka kicked it off with a deep house, electronic set that was apt to set the tone for the night. He played a few of HIS bops and some that I couldn’t personally recognize but still had me bopping my head.
And then Caitlin Deville hopped onto the center of the dance-floor to hypnotize the crowd with her violin and and dance moves. That same set from the Stanbic Music Festival but it still gave me all the new feels. She added a performance of her cover of DJ Maphorisa and Major Lazer’s Particula, which she easily slayed. Also, is it even a night out if this song doesn’t play in some shape or form?
Our hosts (Cleo and Iris) were present to yell “What’s up Lusaka?” and ask how the fxxxxx party is going in between sets. You know, for the culture.
DJ Gesh Groove (aka Uncle Gesh – it’s what I call him), with his goatee appropriately colored s shade of gold, came through for Old School hour. One long throwback, playing tunes from TLC to Nelly. It was nostalgic, but also left you searching for your morals…with your buttocks…on the floor because when Nelly says “drop down and get your eagle on!”, you do just that! Definitely my favorite part of the evening.
DJ V-Jeezy took to the decks next for what turned out to be rap-along Hip Hop hour. Every song he played, the crowd effortlessly rapped along. A couple grinding in the corner, a couple of girls twerking on the dance floor, the milly rock spreading like wild fire, and hands going UP and down in unison to DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win”. I don’t know what it is but V-Jeezy kept the crowd going, Hip Hop is his niche!
And then at 1 o’clock as if someone had pushed a button, the night ended. So abruptly we were bade goodnight and the music stopped. Everyone sat in shock for a few minutes before accepting the night was over and proceeding to what I assume was the next stop.
Overall, not a bad one for the first ever Penthouse Party, my squad made it lit for me! 😁
I ended the night HAPPY, with a bottle of champers and my shoes in my hand 🍾
Photo Credit: Balistiq Photography / PR Girl Media (check their Facebook page to see more photos).
Quirky Boi 