Local performers who have also received overseas acclaim are set to headline the ‘Night of Legends’ feature of the inaugural Guyana Festival planned for the Guyana National Stadium from August 8- 10.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (ag) Irfaan Ali told a press briefing held on Monday that the festival will appeal to all tastes as it will feature an eclectic mix of music, dance, food as well as an art and craft exhibition. It will be marketed in North America and the Caribbean to promote Guyana’s cultural heritage and its tourism product, a report from the Govern-ment Information Agency (GINA) said.
Some of the artists lined up to perform at ‘Night of Legends’ feature on August 9 are Dave Martins, Sammy Baksh, Terry Gajraj, the Yoruba Singers, Mighty Rebel, Sash Persaud, Celia Samaroo, Teddy Jones, Johnny Braff, Glenn Miller, Hilton Hemerding, Winston Caesar and Aubrey Mann.
“It will be a celebration as never before, it would be a moment of sharing of sound through our music, the taste through our food and soul through our culture and history,” Ali said. The festival is receiving tremendous support locally and internationally and it is currently being marketed in the Caribbean, New York, Miami, Toronto and London.
A special booth will be set up to give patrons an opportunity to meet and interact with the local celebrities.
Several high-ranking cricketers have also confirmed their participation in the Guyana Festival cricket match, between the Master’s Team and President’s XI. Derek Kallicharran, former first class cricketer and his brother Alvin Kallicharran former West Indian batsman, Faoud Bacchus, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Travis Dowlin, Neil McGarrell, Clive Butts and West Indies cricketer Clayton Lambert are in the line-up.
The minister also announced that a special package will be developed with Fly Jamaica for Jamaicans who wish to attend the festival. The ministry will also be engaging other airlines to offer similar packages.
Meanwhile, Lennox Canterbury, Coordinator of the ‘Night of the Legends’ said that the festival will give the younger generation a better appreciation of Guyana’s music industry. Several of the artists set to perform also made brief remarks, including Dave Martins, Sammy Baksh, Mighty Rebel, Yoruba Singers and Sash Persaud.
The Guyana Festival Passport which costs US$15, will be on sale, along with a festival coin which will be available at King’s Jewellery World. Other branded memorabilia such as water bottles, pens, t-shirts will soon be available for purchase both locally and internationally.
The opening ceremony set for Friday August 8 is expected to be a fusion of Guyanese culture featuring dramatic performances, craft, poetry dance and painting. The event will culminate with a cook-off competition of traditional Guyanese cuisine, such as duck curry, pepper pot, cook-up, metemgee and black cake, followed by a grand concert aimed at nurturing the next generation of Guyanese musical talent. Jumo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo, Adrian Dutchin, Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts and others are also set to perform.
