Entertainment Music R&B Music Inside Lionel Richie's Star-Studded 'Dancing on the Sand' Weekend In the Bahamas The 'American Idol' judge in partnership with Vibee headlined an island getaway weekend at Atlantis Resort full of music, food and famous faces By Janine Rubenstein Janine Rubenstein Janine Rubenstein is Editor-at-Large at PEOPLE and host of PEOPLE Every Day podcast, a daily dose of breaking news, pop culture and heartwarming human interest stories. Formerly Senior Editor of music content, she's also covered crime, human interest and television news throughout her many years with the brand. Prior to PEOPLE she's written for Essence, The Cape Times newspaper and Los Angeles Magazine among others. On-screen Rubenstein can be found featured on shows like Good Morning America and Entertainment Tonight and she routinely hosts PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly's star-studded Red Carpet Live specials. Follow the San Francisco native, Black Barbie collector and proud mom of two on Instagram and Twitter @janinerube People Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 15, 2023 08:40PM EST Close Photo: Vibee If Lionel Richie's on an island, there's a party going on right there. The music legend and American Idol judge, 74, took to the Caribbean this month to headline "Lionel Richie and Friends Dancing on the Sand", a weekend experience for music fans that featured an intimate Q&A with the singer along with poolside parties and a star-studded concert series. Put on by music experiential company Vibee, the weekend kicked off welcoming fans to the sprawling Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas properties in Nassau, where guests were first invited to a poolside welcome reception with Lionel Richie's hits and island tunes in heavy rotation by the DJ. Lionel Richie Announces 3-Day, Music-Filled Getaway in the Bahamas — and Invites Fans to Join Him! (Exclusive) As fans settled in to their accommodations, they were invited to enjoy a meal at the resort's celebrity chef restaurants, including Paranza, one of the newest by Michelin-starred chef Mike White. The menu features innovative Italian cuisine and seafood specialties like grilled sword fish with Sicilian caponata, zucchini and salsa pepe uva. Among the guests in town, actor and comedian Craig Robinson was spotted enjoying a meal at Paranza ahead of the weekend's performances. Paranza Restaurant at Atlantis Bahamas. Vibee Next up on the itinerary, Richie sat for a no-holds-barred interview in a theater full of his biggest fans, where he discussed his legendary career, from his Tuskegee beginnings as frontman of The Commodores to how he first found then maintained success as a solo artist. The Idol judge even poked fun at his A-list colleagues Katy Perry and Luke Bryan's antics behind the scenes, crediting them with keeping him on his toes. Lionel Richie Dancing on the Sand Q&A. Vibee Fans in the audience were delighted to hear details of Richie's recent experience walking youngest daughter Sofia down the aisle, and his life as a grandfather to daughter Nicole Richie's children Harlow, 15, and Sparrow, 14. The star drew his biggest laughs when he joked that the teens prefer their tablets and iPhones over chatting with their famous grandpa. That is, he said, until he brings someone like Bruno Mars into the room. Sofia Richie Says She Was ‘Giggling, Crying’ with Dad Lionel When He Walked Her Down the Aisle From the resort's expansive aquarium and luxury shops to numerous pools and waterslides, there was no shortage of daytime activities for attendees. But when night fell, it was all about the music. The first evening of performances featured Nile Rogers and CHIC, Vanessa Carlton and Jake Wesley Rogers, who are all friends of Richie. Fans danced into the night before some made their way to the resort's full-service casino to try their luck. Guests at Lionel Richie and Friends Dancing on the Sand. Vibee The weekend ended with a night of performances by Megan Moroney, Sheryl Crow and finally the man of the hour, Lionel Richie, who, rocking a sparkling blue Members Only-style jacket, brought the crowd to their feet as he opened with his 1983 ballad, "Hello." The star wasn't singing long before the crowd joined in, nearly drowning him out with their own performance of the classic. Lionel Richie Performs at Atlantis Bahamas. Vibee It was the same for songs "Easy," "Dancing on the Ceiling" and more, but the chorus reached its peak belting out his hit "All Night Long" as he closed out the night, and a fun-filled weekend.