GUYANESE turned out in their numbers to attend the annual Guyana Family Fun Day organized by the Guyana Cultural Association on Sunday last. The numerous patrons were treated to over two hours of nostalgic cultural items from all aspects of Guyanese culture.
Pulsating performances by Eze Rockliffe, Michelle “Big Red” King, Charmaine Blackman and the Mighty Enchanter were among the many Guyanese who made the trek to the Big Apple to also receive awards from the GCA as part of their annual award presentation at the Brooklyn Borough Hall which was hosted by the President of the borough of Brooklyn – Hon. Marty Markowitz. City Councilor – Eon Andrews   representing the Georgetown City Council also received a proclamation from the Brooklyn Borough President in celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the naming of Georgetown. The municipality was also the recipient of a Senatorial Proclamation from Senator John Sampson – New York State Democratic Majority Leader.  Each of the honorees also received citations from the New York City Council Members –Dr. Mathieu Eugene and Hon. Jumaane Williams.
Prospect Heights School Campus the venue for the Family Fun- Day was filled with an aroma of good smells as a variety of Guyanese dishes, art craft and fun-filled games showed evidence. Maypole platting, hoo-la-hoop, Saul, Roller and a Unique Wooden Scooter (as was built in the old days) formed part of the excitement.
Numerous local politicians and elected officials also attended and paid tribute to the continued efforts of the GCA to maintain Guyana’s Cultural identity. Guyana’s Consul General in New York – Brentnol Evens opened the festivities. Also evident was a display by the Ministry of Tourism. Bobby Vieira, who was Co-MC with Rose October, highlighted the opportunities to invest in Guyana by inviting interested person to visit the upcoming GuyExpo 2012 at the end of the month. He also reiterated the Minister of Tourism’s initiative on the “Rediscover Home” program, which is to be launched in New York shortly.
The annual “Guyana Folk Festival” is held in the last week of August just prior to the Labor Day weekend. Highlights of the popular event are a Summer Camp for children, the “Kwe-Kwe” display, Awards Ceremony and Family Fun Day. This year’s theme “Masquerade Lives” was also given significant highlight.

Masquerade Lives!
Masquerade, rooted in African festive custom, has been and continues to be, an art form primarily expressed through street performance that traces its development and survival to multi cultural traditions. Emerging in Guyana before emancipation, this “new world” phenomenon is characterized by melodious rhythms, with the principal dance performers including flouncers, Mad Bull, Mother Sally and later additions, Bam Bam Sally and Stilt dancers. They dance energetically to the fife, the snare (aka kittle) drum, the tenor drum, and the steel or triangle. The brightly colored costumes represent the festive mood, while characters, such as Mother Sally parodied the colonial ruling class, thus providing at least temporary psychological and visceral relief. In the colonial and postcolonial history of our country the dancing, music and general participation reflect the ethnic inclusivity of masquerade. The melding of African, East Indian and European cultures features prominently in the festivities. Earlier characters such as Barbadian “Joe Flounce”; “Goblet Joe”; flautist extraordinaire, and later ones like “Potagee”; dance steps influenced by “Scotts Boy”, and new performers in contemporary Guyana masquerade, the peacock and vaquero, are testimony to the Diasporic nature of this unique art form. It is this tradition, survived to the 21st century, that the Guyana Cultural Association will highlight this year. Indeed, Masquerade Lives!