Party scene brings life into calm city

When asked to represent their city, many Florida A & M students from West Palm Beach are proud to tell everyone and anyone what the “5-6-ace,” is about.

The beautiful waterfront community is home to people who can be described as laid back and tranquil.

“I love the people,” said Lauren Joseph, a first-year pre-pharmacy candidate from West Palm Beach. “Everybody’s just laid back and thugging it, which is something we say when everyone is just really calm.”

Joseph said she loves her hometown for the endless entertainment possibilities.

“There’s always something to do out there,” Joseph said.

City Place, a downtown shopping center with European-style architecture and a large two-story movie theatre, is at the top of many people’s lists of things to do. It is also a site known for its nightclubs and improv comedy club where favorites such as Benji Brown and Katt Williams have made guest appearances.

The Ultra Lounge is one example of the many clubs at City Place as well as one of the most frequented in Palm Beach. The infamous Reggie D hosts it and Mr. Pupp of the county’s number one hip-hop radio station, X102.3, every Wednesday night. They often times have live performances by Palm Beach County favorites such as Lil’ Boosie and Plies.

For the people who aren’t interested in the fast-paced lifestyle that downtown has to offer, other places offer entertainment. The Singer Island Beach and Abacoa, are better places to venture out to during the daytime. Singer Island is located in Riviera Beach, and it is the site of BET’s last Spring Bling affair.

Abacoa is located in the city of Jupiter Beach and is slower than City Place. People can go to a bookstore, grab a coffee and relax. It is also the location of the Florida Marlins baseball team spring training camp and the new Scripps research center.

The only major setback in West Palm Beach is finding a way to get to all of the entertainment. All of the attractions are not within walking distance from the cities within the county, and the public transportation system is not available to everyone.

“That’s why one of the must haves in West Palm is a car,” said Kiara Tims, a freshman pharmacy pre candidate student from West Palm Beach.

“[If not, you need] a cell-phone to call someone else to take you where you need to go.”

Tay Chapple, a sophomore psychology student from Belle Glade agrees with Tims.

“You need friends,” Chapple said. “If you don’t have friends you can’t go anywhere, and that’s real!”