–for grand opening of inaugural Guyana Festival

THE highly-anticipated inaugural Guyana Festival opens today at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence. 
The Guyana Festival – Sound, Soul and Taste – for the very first time, the fusion of the six different cultures that make up the Guyanese tapestry will be brought together in a true melting pot that reflects the Guyanese identity.
The Guyana Festival National Concerts boast an exciting lineup of entertainment with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) performing an air show slated to start at 17:30hrs.

The National Concert, to be held under the theme ‘Myths and Legends …Sweet, Sweet Guyana’ is just one element of an action-packed weekend. A host of other events and attractions will be taking place at the National

Stadium, including live music, kids zone complete with Coney Island and daily displays of art and craft.
The opening sequence incorporates spectacular multiple entrances featuring Guyanese diverse folkloric figures such as Moon Gazers, Mother Sallys, Stilt Men, Chinese Dragon, Mad Cows, Masakouriman, Fairmaid and a huge, colourful human male and female costume. An explanation of Guyana’s cultural heritage will also be depicted in the form of drama giving the audience a reminder or an all-together new experience.
Acting Minister of Tourism Irfaan Ali recently explained during an invited comment that, “The concert is the headline event in an exciting weekend of Guyana Festival celebrations, which will ensure that the National Stadium in Guyana is the place to be.”
He urged all Guyanese to take part in this event and indicated the tremendous support the festival is already attracting. “We’re absolutely thrilled to have attracted such a fantastic line-up. The sheer variety of performers is sure to appeal to family audiences; there’s plenty for younger concert-goers but also acts that their parents will enjoy,” Ali said.
Guyana Festival passports are available for the event and the demand is very high. Priced at $3,000 each, this allows entry on all three days, includes thousands of dollars’ worth of coupons and gives holders a chance to win a car.
The festival passports can be uplifted from the following locations: Nigel’s Supermarket, Ashmins Store, Courts, N and S Mattai, Survival Supermarket, KK Gas Station (Mahaica), M and M Snackette, Courts at Parika, Church’s Chicken at Linden, Essential Care Pharmacy, G3 Building at Diamond Housing Scheme, Fat Boy Discount Store (Stelling Road Vreed-en-Hoop), the Ministry of Tourism, South Road Office and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) at the Sophia Exhibition Centre.
Night of the Legends, slated for August 9, has an exciting line-up of the best local music, bands, and artistes to perform. It is expected to give patrons an experience of a lifetime to witness Guyanese artistes belt out renditions that were only talked about. Persons slated to perform at this event are Dave Martin, Aubrey Mann, Teddy Jones, Glen ‘Fluff’ Miller, Hilton Hemmerding, Johnny Braff, Terry Gajraj, Mighty Rebel, Devindra Rooran, Sammy Baksh, Sash Persaud, Yoruba Singers, Winston ‘Zar’ Caesar and Celia Samaroo.
The ‘Generation Next’ Concert will take place on August 10 and some of Guyana’s young and energetic artistes that will be performing include Jomo “Rubber Waist” Primo, Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts, First Born, Big Red, Rajesh Dubraj, Alabama, Adrian Dutchin, and Kwasie Edmonson.
The Festival Cookout is also slated for August 10, said Mr. Looknauth Persaud, the head of the Festival Cookout Committee and owner of Kings Jewellery World. All Guyanese are welcome to participate in the Festival Cookout as this will provide the chance of showcasing their skills. He said, “This is the opportunity for Guyanese to come out and showcase their skills. There is excitement about the event and we want this to kick start new businesses,” he said. Persaud reiterated that persons and groups interested in participating in this exciting and novel event can access the registration forms from the website www.guyanafestival.gy or visit the facebook page: Guyana Festival.
Another attraction for the Guyana Festival is the eagerly-awaited cricket match. This exciting competition, which will see the Master’s team pitted against the President’s XI, forms part of the Guyana Festival games which will also include a thrilling football match. Festival officials have assured that spectators will be entertained as Guyana’s past and present ‘greats’ in the cricketing fraternity meet on the pitch.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)