Residents of the Essequibo Coast were treated to a Fun Day and free concert hosted at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground last Sunday by the Sonia Noel Foundation for the Creative Arts (SNFCA) in collaboration with a diaspora based-group led by Allan Zaakir.
Titled ‘Not A Blade of Grass,’ the event saw performances by the talented Calibro Band led by the Mighty Chief, Divine Star dance group from Georgetown, Karawab Dance Group, Akawini Dance Group and Kabakaburi Kids among others.
According to a press release, the members of the Karawab Dance Group were outfitted in spectacular indigenous designs for their native dances. Joel Smith, the leader of the group said this is the first time his group got the opportunity to perform out of the village and they are grateful for the exposure.
Akawini Dance Group also did a magnificent portrayal of their native dances, the release said, while at Kabakaburi Kids were exceptional with their well-choreographed acrobatic display.
Oswald Williams, teacher/choreographer at Kabakaburi Primary School said he was thrilled when he learnt his students would be participating in the Not a Blade of Grass event. He said he briefed them on the Guyana/Venezuela situation and they had so many questions.
“It was a privilege for us at Kabakaburi to be part of this event,” the release quoted Toshao James Miguel as saying. “I feel happy to be here to send a strong message that Essequibo belongs to us and we are doing it through dance and music. A big thank you to the organizers for creating this forum.”
Sonia’s daughter Shonta Noel who is one of this year’s top CAPE performers interacted with the youth from the Amerindian villages and the Essequibo Coast. She encouraged them to be focused and make education a priority at this stage in their lives.
The release said that the entertainment for the event also included face painting and trampoline jumping among other things.
Mariska Fiedtkou-Jordan and Harold Alves were the main coordinators of the event, the release said, quoting Zaakir as saying, “We are honored to collaborate with SNFCA on these series of community-based projects,” and revealing that the next event is scheduled for Bartica in December.
Meanwhile, according to the release, Women of Substance, a group in Essequibo took the opportunity to meet Sonia to discuss her mentoring the group and future collaboration and aspiring designers interacted with her as well.
“It’s a great feeling for my foundation to be involved in such a meaningful venture that afforded me the opportunity to forge relations with some super creative people,” the release quoted Sonia as saying.
Minister within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry also supported the event.
Meantime, it also revealed that she had been very busy outside of Guyana for the last few months in the US. In September she hosted another Bridging the Gap showcase in New York; in October she collaborated with Circle of Friends & Star to raise funds for people with disabilities in Fort Lauderdale. Following that her exclusive designs were featured at the Festival of Chefs in Miami Beach.
One of her First Resort pieces was auctioned for over US$800, which went to the Easter Seals charity.
