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Rupununi Music and Arts Festival launched
With the aim of creating a ‘Rupununi’ brand, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), in coordination with Bob Ramdhanie and Colin Edwards of Rock View Lodge, will be hosting an inaugural Rupununi Music and Arts festival.
This event is scheduled for February 14 to 16, and will be the first of its kind in a local Amerindian Community.
According to Director of GTA, Indranauth Haralsingh, this activity is an
Bob Ramdhanie (left) and GTA Director, Indranauth Haralsingh during yesterday’s launch.
environmental adventure, where patrons will be able to explore the beautiful sceneries of the country. It’s an eco-oriented event, which will feature overseas based artistes. Those attending the event would include President Donald Ramotar, and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali.
These will be in addition to confirmed overseas patrons, including those from the United States of America, Suriname, Brazil, Canada, Venezuela, and the United Kingdom.
The activity, which has been projected to become an annual feature of the Tourism Ministry’s annual calendar of events, is geared towards benefitting the indigenous peoples of the Rupununi.
“It will be a night romancing under the stars with a Valentine, or having a fantastic or memorable family outing by doing some of the most exciting outdoor activities ever,” organizer, Bob Ramdhanie said.
He explained that the event is being hosted in the interest of the residents, and will also see a display of the items that are produced locally.
Ramdhanie said that he is catering for approximately 600 villagers, in addition to about 300 of those flying into the Region for the event.
During a press conference yesterday, Ramdhanie was asked about how the residents of the Rupununi will benefit from employment and exposure.
“We’re employing the people of the village to build benabs for the visitors, and in addition to that, the residents will also be exhibiting the locally produced items. The event is basically community-based tourism,” Ramdhanie said.
He added that it would be a mistake for persons to believe that the Rupununi Music and Arts Festival will be similar to the National Drama Festival which is hosted at the National Cultural Centre.
“It’s about the outdoors. Those attending will have to walk with their own blanket, food baskets and chairs, while being privileged enough to listen to some of the most soothing music known,” Ramdhanie said.
“It will be dynamic, with a mixture of solo and group performances; blues, jazz, folk, Indian, African and contemporary pop will be staged,” he added.
Ramdhanie also noted that the event is aimed at complementing nature, as opposed to tampering with it.
“The programme will be flexible allowing visitors’ time to enjoy the sheer beauty and tranquility of the grasslands whilst later in the day enjoying the diversity of quality music from around the world.”
The artiste consists of mostly Guyanese performers living in the United Kingdom. They include Marc Mathews, popularly known by his stage name ‘Spoken Word’ and Keith Waithe, a well-known jazz and flautist.
“They will be coming back home to greet old friends, make new ones and to share poetry and music that has been nurtured in Guyana and continues to evolve throughout the world.”
In addition to the artistes flying into Guyana for this event, a number of local artistes will also be featured.
Marlon Adams, better known as ‘Chuckie,’ and the talented children in Buxton Fusion’s African drumming, will be “rolling up gently” with Raghu’s Indian Tassa drummers.
“Ras Camo,” a popular pannist, will also be present to satisfy. He is capable of playing anything on steelpan, spanning classics to calypsos.
These will be joined by ‘Indus Voices & Dance of Guyana,’ who will be mixing it up with classical, Indian folk and Bollywood pop songs. The romantic Jazz singers include Trevor Rogers, Desmond Atherly and Desmond Atiwell.
“In keeping with the cultural traditions of the region, the Surama Cultural Group will present traditional Amerindian movement and music,” Ramdhanie explained.
From the international arena, singer and guitarist Namvula will blend folk and urban traditions of her Zambian homeland, with London’s vibrant eclectic music scene. Other international artistes are expected to come onboard.
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