THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Mashramani Secretariat have mapped out next year’s Mash festivities in detail, and with the launch of Mashramani 2013 festivities on October 19, 2012, are already geared and ready to present to the public one of the best Mashramani festivals of all time.

Scenes from the Mashramani 2012 celebrations

Next year’s Provisional Mashramani Calendar of Events seems to dictate, from all accounts, that the two parties have formulated a packed programme that will unfurl nicely at strategic locations in Guyana, thus ensuring all Guyana gets a feel of Mashramani 2013.
Information received from the Mashramani Secretariat dictates that Calypso auditions are slated for November 24 and 25, 2012. The venue for this event is presently being sorted out, since the entities want the event to be hosted at a location that is comfortable for both patrons and artistes.
Presently, negotiations are being conducted to host the prestigious Chutney auditions’ semi-final and final segments at a venue that is well suited for an event of that magnitude.
Submission of musical scores for the Calypso and Chutney events are expected to be completed by Monday, December 31, 2012. Rehearsals for the Calypso event will be conducted on Monday, January 14, 2013 at the Carifesta Sports Complex in Georgetown.
This will be followed by the much-anticipated Mashramani Essay Competition, which will commence on January 22, 2013 and conclude on February 15, 2013.
The elderly will be treated to a lavish theatrical concert on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at the Palms institution in Linden; while, on Saturday, January 26, 2013, the Junior Calypso Competition will kick-off at the National Cultural Centre. On that date also, the Health Song Competition will be staged at the same venue.
On Sunday, January 27, 2013, the Steel Band Concert will be hosted simultaneously in both Parika and Linden, followed by the Road March Competition on January 31, 2013. The mega Carib Soca Monarch semi-final is set for Saturday, February 02, 2013, with the Mash Exhibition following on February 08, and March 02, 2013 at the National Museum.
Come February 09, 2013, the Adult Calypso semi-finals will be staged in Linden, followed by the Child Art Competition on February 12, and March 01, 2013.
Up next is the Children’s Costume Competition, on February 13 and 15, 2013, with the Schools’ Steelband Competition (Preliminaries) penned for Thursday, February 14, 2013 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall,
While the closing date for the ‘Bright Up Guyana’ Competition is February 15, 2013. Judging for that segment will be done between February 20 and 22, 2013.
The Adult Calypso Finals is set for February 15, 2013, with the Children’s Parade set for the following day.
The Carib Soca Monarch Finals has, of course, been carded for February 16, 2012 at the National Park.
An exciting excursion to Fort Nassau is planned for Saturday, February 17, 2013, even as the grand Steel Band Showdown will be simultaneously hosted at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on the said date.
The Umana Yana will come alive on Monday, February 18, 2013 when the Republic Lecture Series Workshop is staged; while, on February 19, 2013, all Guyana can enjoy the stirring Folk Evening/Cultural Ceremonies at the Promenade Gardens.
Steel Band Concerts will be promoted at the Stabroek Market Square, Botanical Gardens, and Seawall Band Stand from February 19 to 21, 2013, while the customarily massive Folk Concert will be hosted at the National Cultural Centre on February 22, 2013.
The media fraternity will throw their cares to the wind on Wednesday, February 22, 2013 and have a night of festivity as they congregate at the annual ‘Mash Media Jump-Up’.
Dates and venues for the Masquerade Competitions will be published in the near future, when they have been finalized.
On Saturday, February 23, 2013, the Flag Raising Ceremony will commence at the Parliament Buildings at 07:00 hrs, followed by the colourful Costume and Float Parade around the city at 10:00 hrs. The Mashramani Presentation Ceremony will unfurl at the Umana Yana on March 08, 2013 at 17:30 hrs.