3 weeks ago
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The Scottish Society has unveiled a new kind of premium social event — one that blends intimacy, culture and food with a spirit of connection. At the helm are directors Kamal Bankay, Dr. Hugh Anthony Roberts, Gregory Wright, and Stephen Price, each bringing their own creative vision to the table. Together, they set out not simply to stage an event, but to create an immersive escape for their community of friends.
World Music Views speaks exclusively with the directors about their latest staging on December 28 and the idea behind party membership.
More Than Retro — A Journey to an “Exotic Elsewhere”
For Stephen Price, the design philosophy was about transporting guests far beyond the expected.
“The theme isn’t really retro in the strictest sense. We wanted to transport people to a different world and immerse them. So it’s more about an exotic destination. Jamaica is an exotic destination but so is Amalfi, Italy,” he explained.
This spirit of blending cultures and moods flowed through every detail, from décor to music to the menu.
Music as Energy — No Lull, No Downtime
Scottish Society Directors Kamal Bankay, Stephen Price, Gregory Wright, and Dr. Hugh Anthony RobertsMusic was curated with intention — not just as background, but as the emotional backbone of the night. Kamal Bankay, a DJ himself, emphasized how important the intangible elements of sound truly are.
“A lot of people don’t truly cherish the intangible aspects of music at an event. Vibe. Energy. Etc are all words used to describe the intangible effects of music. As a DJ myself it was critical that the music experience was curated at a very high level… No lull, no downtime. Just pure bliss from start to finish.”
The result? A seamless flow that kept the room buzzing from arrival to farewell.
A Menu That Travels the World — and Warms the Heart
Hospitality also played a starring role. Gregory Wright shared that thoughtful planning went into crafting a culinary journey that reflected both Italy and Jamaica, with a few playful surprises.
“We spent a lot of time curating a menu that had elements of Italy, elements of Jamaica and a few surprises… Especially the dessert station!”
With well-known caterers and trusted partners, guests were offered range, quality, and comfort on every plate — alongside the widest selection of beverages form beers to champagne with attentive service.
Community at the Core — No Barriers, Only Belonging
For Dr. Roberts, one of the most distinctive aspects of the night was its intentional openness.
“Deliberately no section because we want everyone to integrate rather than separate. The way our community has grown is that everyone that came is a friend of a friend and so that showed in how people greeted each other, socialized and shared experiences through the night.”
The team believes that premium should never mean exclusion — only comfort, connection, and shared experience.
Looking Ahead — A Community Ready for More
Reflecting on the success of the event, the directors all felt a strong sense of alignment with their audience.
They realized something simple but powerful: people were ready for this.
As one director summarized on behalf of the team:
People had been craving a space like this for some time. The timing was perfect, and now the goal is to continue expanding the circle — welcoming back familiar faces and embracing those who missed out the first time. With another event planned in just a few months, the Scottish Society promises something “unexpected, but welcomed” — and always delivered with heart.
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