Rupununi Music and Arts Festival was a huge success
Highlights from the Rupununi Music & Arts Festival
Highlights from the Rupununi Music & Arts Festival

By Gabriella Chapman

OVER the last weekend, the experience in Guyana’s Rupununi was brought to life at the Theatre Guild through the Rupununi Music and Arts Festival.

The Eucalyptus Gardens aback the Theatre was transformed to give a nature-type ambience, close to what is experienced in the Rupununi.

Last Friday, despite the heavy rainfall, the creative pieces of Indigenous culture and art were displayed. Menacing sky and black clouds swirled above, but the team switched on the green light and continued with their planned agenda.

Amidst the art and craft, there were many Indigenous foods and drinks such as Tuma Pot and Piwari.

Later in the evening, the action started with musical entertainment, and Chow Pow entered the circular, tree-trunk-like stage in his dual role as MC and ‘comic of the night’.

The atmosphere was cool and relaxing, as persons were seated comfortably on the carpet that was laid out under the trees with their friends.

The night went by with a diverse range of talent from soulful Trevaun Selman at the start, to ‘Maya’ around midnight. The evening’s entertainment was rich, eclectic, professional and upbeat.

The highlights, however, were the Indigenous music and dance, folk songs from Eastern Europe, calypsos, on pan and violin, which engaged the audience, and there was little doubt that the people had a wonderful first night.

The Festival stretched over to Saturday as well, with workshops and ‘Talk Tent’ sessions. The St. Stanislaus College Scout Group had constructed a Monkey Bridge (a suspended rope bridge) for persons to cross. This also was a side attraction for patrons.

In the evening again, on Saturday, more entertainment hit the stage, with tales of the Indigenous culture.
Additionally, the African culture was also incorporated as the Buxton Fusion started raising the temperature from the stage, with precision African drumming by over 16 youths, ranging in age from 10 – 25.

Musically, the evening was set, and it continued gearing up equal notches as local and international artistes entered and exited the centre stage.

Members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Guyana were present as well, with a telescope offering festival-goers a chance to see the stars up close and personal.

In a wrap comment, Festival Director, Bob Ramdhani told The Buzz, “The Festival was a huge success in terms of the professionalism and quality of the musicians, the transformation of the space outside Theatre Guild and the quality of the sound. The audience numbers disappointed, and in reality, they missed out on a very entertaining and exciting weekend. Reduced numbers also impacted the arts and crafts stallholders and caterers, but the feedback from those who attended was extremely positive, praising the Festival for the wonderful transformation of the place, and the diversity and quality of the entertainment offered.”

The annual event is usually held in the rural village, but to bring awareness of their life and culture, the directors brought the event to Georgetown for the second time. This is also because much emphasis is being placed on the execution for next year. So the Rupununi Music & Arts Festival will be back at Manari Ranch during November 13 – 15, 2020.

Dr. Ramdhani said that he hopes that the Guyanese populace from in and around Georgetown would come next year to the Manari Ranch to be part of the experience.

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