After a few glasses of cold dry rose, the enticing techno beat becomes irresistible, and patrons of Nikki Beach on Pelican Plage start dancing. It’s only 2 in the afternoon, but the party has started. After all, it’s St. Barts (the French spell it “St. Barths,” short for “Barthelemy”), a celebrity sanctuary in the Caribbean where the population swells with stars during the winter holidays. On the beach and in the open-air restaurants, inhibitions slip away with every sip.

Russell Simmons enjoys the activity from a safe distance with a group of intimates, while some locals show the newcomers how it’s done. A fellow called “Cancer Man” leads the crowd in a wild dance from his perch in the middle of the restaurant.