Singer and entertainer Dave Martins captured the hearts of hundreds of Guyanese at a function in Orlando, Florida held in observance of Guyana’s 38th Republic anniversary.
The crowd jumped up, danced and pranced as he belted out some of his famous songs including ‘Boyhood days’, ‘Not a blade of grass’, ‘Copy cat’, ‘Honeymooning couple’, ‘Is we own’ and ‘Where are our heroes.’ In his address to the audience, Martins urged Guyanese and other Caribbean nationals not to forget their roots and their rich cultural heritage, even though they live in North America and enjoy a different lifestyle. He also told them that although they had migrated, they can nevertheless continue to assist the country of their birth.
Chairman of the Guyanese American Cultural Association of Central Florida (GACACF) Planning Committee Sam Roberts said Martins has honed the art of preserving Guyanese culture through song. He added “listening to his songs encourages dialogue about our years growing up in Guyana, and without realizing it, we give our children a greater sense of our history, our childhood and a better understanding of our truly unique heritage.”
The GACACF said that the Guyanese American community is very vibrant in the business sector and continues to expand every year. It said too it aims to be more active in addressing community problems. The GACACF is a recognized organization in Central Florida and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, by proclamation, declared February 23, “Guya-nese Ameri-can Cultural Association of Central Florida, Inc. Day.” Dyer said “Central Florida is home to a growing number of Guyanese Americans who not only contribute to the cultural diversity of this area but to its economic and social development as well. Guyanese Americans continue to invest in business enterprise and to give exemplar service in key sectors such as healthcare, education and tourism.
Speaker of the House, Ralph Ramkarran, who also attended the celebrations, said the Guyanese diaspora can play an important role in the Republic. He also spoke briefly about the Lusignan and Bartica tragedies and the crowd observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims.
