OVERSEAS-based Guyanese Lloyd Guilliams is teaming up with founder and Chief Executive Officer of Purple Arts Production, Simone Dowding, to put on a show this evening, the proceeds of which will go to differently-abled children.

For the past ten years, Guilliams has been coming to Guyana annually to donate money to children who are in need of help such as those at Joshua House, the Drop-In Center, and Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Center.
This time, though, he decided to organize a show in celebration of Guyana’s 50th Independence. The only thing he needed was someone here who would be willing to help him organize.
“What really brought me on board is the fact that part proceeds go to the children because from working with children myself, I really enjoy the satisfaction on their faces when they are helped,” Dowding, also a member of Theatre Guild, told the Chronicle during their visit to the Chronicle.
And so Dowding said she is happy to be helping out Gulliams.

“A beautiful evening is promised. It’s a really nice event that is not to be missed by anyone.
Guilliams, who left Guyana to live overseas some 35 years ago, said he got in touch with Dowding through a mutual friend of theirs. “I was telling that friend that I wanted to do a show in Guyana to celebrate the 50th anniversary. So she introduced me to Dowding. We are collaborating on this and hopefully we will continue.”
Guilliams grew up with his single-parent mom and five siblings and often observed that despite things were so bad with them financially, his mother, Clarina Guillliams, often gave her last to neighbours to help them out. “I grew up with my mom; my dad was not around. It was about six of us at the time and she took care of us alone. Neighbours came and asked and she would give her last and about 20 years ago before she died in New York, I asked her why she did so. She said, ‘Son, at times people need it more than you and good works always come back to you.’ So that propels me to give back.”
The show that he is financing is called “Woven of Love” and after expenses, the proceeds will go to differently abled children. It will be held at Duke Lodge, in Kingston, this afternoon from 4:30 pm to 11:00 pm.
A fashion show will be presented by Designer Nelsion Andres Nurse, along with entertainment by DJ Deron. The dress code is Guyana’s national colours and advanced tickets cost $4000 or $5000 at the door.
Furthermore, Melissa Payne will be doing a 50th independence swim suit line and a showpiece will be also be done by Simone Bazil.
The event will also see some standup comedy from Henry Rodney and if all goes well, Bonny Alves and Charmaine Blackman are expected to grace the stage.