By Francis Quamina Farrier

MUSICIAN, composer and columnist Dave Martins, AA, was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc on August 28. The ceremony which was held at the Borough Hall in Brooklyn, New York City, was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Guyana’s Consul-General in New York, the Hon Barbara Atherly and other Guyanese associated with the performing and visual arts and lovers of things cultural.

Although not present in person to receive the physical award, Dave Martins was present in a larger- than-life image on a jumbo screen. His brief acceptance message to the GCA Awards Committee and the audience, which included many of his adoring fans, was about the founding of the Tradewinds Band and his 50 years in the entertainment industry. The applause at the end may have been heard way across the Caribbean Sea, to the honeymooning couple with glee.

Explaining the work of the association, Chairman of the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Dr. Vibert Cambridge stated, “Our Annual Awards represent our association’s sustained engagement with global Guyana. What we do is dependent on the community in which we live.” The GCA president also spoke of the Centenary Valerie Rodway Concert which was held in New York on August 25, at the St Gabriel’s Episcopal Anglican church. Valerie Rodway is one of Guyana’s celebrated composers of patriotic songs which include, “Oh, Beautiful Guyana.” Many church choirs in New York performed at the concert. Not from New York, the St George’s Cathedral Choir travelled all the way from Guyana for that special and historic concert to honour Guyanese composer, the late Valerie Rodway, on the occasion of her 100th birth anniversary. The concert was directed by Monty Blackmore, formally of the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown, Guyana.

Also addressing the audience was Chairman of the Awards Committee, Ronald Lammy, who explained the workings of the committee and how the awardees are decided. “Visionary and characteristics are prominent across multiple generations,” he said and pointed out the inclusion of Youth Awards.

Among those also receiving Awards this year, were former Chairman of the Department of Culture in Guyana, Mildred Lowe; Pianist, Composer and Music Educator, Hugh Sam; Dance Educator Mohamed Amin; TV and Theatre Award Winner, Simone Dowding; Musician, Composer and actor Courtney Noel and Learning Drumologist Kenton Wyatt. Receiving the Godfrey Chin Prize for Heritage Journalism were Mosa Telford, First Prize and Alex Arjoon Second Prize.

An Exemplary Award was presented to Stefan Bristol , who has used his creativity in film production to showcase Guyanese talent. Following that presentation, much emotion overflowed between Bristol and his mother before an equally emotional audience. Jonathan Locke, who together with Ronald Lammy, donated statuettes to theawards for five years. Locke became emotional as he recalled his own mother working in Guyana in the visual arts for many years. Very unique this year, was the father Ovril Solomon and his daughter Tunisia Solomon, who were both recipients of awards for their contributions to steelpan music. Tee Tee Solo, as the daughter is also known, is a singer and composer.

There was also a moment of silence at the ceremony to the memory of two former GCA awardees who died last week: folklorist, cultural educator and author, Peter Kempadoo and entertainer Johnny Braff, who only this year was bestowed with a national award.