Encomium
– All you need to know about the Sept 26 all-white event
All is set for the grand-opening of comedian Ayo Makun (AY)’s multi million naira MVP Lounge, and the successful humour merchant is leaving no stone unturned to make the day, Friday, September 26, 2014, an unforgettable experience for celebrities and party rockers.
The millionaire enterprising entertainer confirmed this in an interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly held at the prestigious lounge at Omisson Emporium, off Admiralty Road, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. He said it’s going to be one big event that would be on the lips of many for a long time to come.
How prepared are you for the unveiling?
We have prepared to host Most Valuable Players from all sectors in Lagos. It’s going to be the biggest celebrities gathering in recent times, come Friday, September 26, 2014.
We did the soft-opening of the lounge on my birthday. Fortunately, that allowed my team to test the operations, procedures, and equipment of the facility we have here. Having successfully done that, we are set to host Most Valuable Players from all sectors in Lagos: entertainment, sports, politics, oil and gas, banking, real estate, manufacturing and so on Friday. MVP is designed to create extra entertainment for our teeming fans and customers. This is a grand-opening, all-white event.
Why all white dress code?
MVP was designed to redefine nightlife. We want to take it where it should be and the all-white dress code for us, totally reflects this. It awakens our creativity and it represents a successful beginning. We want Lagosians to wipe the slates of their partying minds clean of whatever notions they have about nightlife up till now because we are here to show them how it ought to be.
Who and who are you expecting?
We’re expecting Lagos. We’re expecting the movers and shakers of the entertainment industry. It is going to be an all-white event, and some of the expected guests were already here to do photo shoot to promote the place ahead of the grand-opening. It promises to be fun, which will have DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Xclusive and DJ Spinall thrilling guests to the time of their lives as part of the entertainment lined up for the night.
How do you intend to control the crowd on that day looking at the calibre of artistes you’re expecting?
First, the artistes are not coming to perform. They are only coming to have fun, because MVP is created for them. We have created a the best place where they can have their after-party. But for the opening night, we have not created anything like performances, we just want them to come and have fun. A lot of people go to clubs to enjoy good music, drink and have fun. If we allow performances, it’s going to turn to a concert of all sorts and that might end up scaring our customers who are coming to spend money.
Concerning the crowd, we have a security team that will check that. Maximum security guaranteed.
We’ve giving out invitation for the grand-opening, we have our list already. Notwithstanding, it is a week-long event, it’ll move into Saturday and Sunday. We’ll surely create another fun for those we can’t accommodate on Friday. That’s why we’re encouraging our guests to come early.
Let’s talk about the operation of this lounge. Who are your target audience?
As the name implies, MVP means Most Valuable Player. That means, the place is set up to accommodate Most Valuable Players in different sectors, as a way of having a place to come and relax. Aside that, it is a public place, but we have our guideline, which stipulates the kind of people we’re expecting. But then, it is a place for anybody who knows how to compose himself in a public place, especially people above 18.
Can family come?
The lounge has created something unique for the family. We have different activities for them. For instance, we have AY Comedy club and of course, the monthly open mic show that discovered a lot of comedians. Family can come on Sundays to have fun. We also have karaoke and lots of fun. The bar runs during the day, but there will be restriction when the bar transcends to lounge. That’s when restriction comes in. It is only for people between 18-20 and above.
Do you own the property?
The property lying close to 600 square metres is on lease. It is a mall, but MVP is taking an entire floor. We have different sections. For instance, we have the Main Room which is more like the hub of the club where the party commences. We have the Gold Room. It is a VIP room. We segmented the club in a way whereby you can define where you want to be but we also did not detach the fact that you can be within MVP and feeling the vibes from other areas. It’s all on one floor. And we have the Aisle, (the walkway,) for those who just want to hang around and observe what is going on. That is their own fun. We have the Diamond Room as well. That comes with membership. It is for the really very big people in town who really want to party.
What does it take to be a member?
Membership is just for the Diamond Room. We already have something in place to identify our members. Although it is not for everybody, we are approaching those we think qualify to be members. We’ve discussed privately what it takes to be a member.
What is the future of stand-up comedy? Or are you doing this as a back-up?
It is a different business completely. It has nothing to do with whether future of stand-up comedy will be great or not. The Dangote of this world has different businesses; there is nothing wrong if we (entertainers) do so. We shouldn’t depend on stand-up comedy alone, we should be entrepreneurs.
As for me, the idea of a restaurant and nightclub lounge came only two or three years ago. It was practically based on the need to create and own an exclusive place where celebrities, socialites and captains of industry would feel at home to enjoy a redefined nightlife of class, entertainment and fun.
-RASHEED ABUBAKAR
