2k8 Pageants: Failures and Successes

Jan 01, 2009 News

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By Alex Wayne
There was a time when pageants were highly esteemed ventures. However, over the years persons have been ‘taking things for granted’ and pageants of every imaginable nature have sprung up all over Guyana, many of them unsuccessful due to poor planning and other contributing factors.

This year Kaieteur News targeted a few of the uncountable pageants that we thought would have at least ‘come close to the real thing’, but of course there is much room for improvement since some of these ventures resulted in ‘absolute catastrophe’.

Miss Guyana World Pageant sparked great controversy
We begin with the Miss World Pageant hosted this year by the Concept Entertainment entity which yielded controversy surrounding the selection of a representative to represent Guyana in Africa.

Instead of hosting the usual local pageant aimed at determining the best beauty ambassador to represent Guyana, the public was surprised when Concept Entertainment suddenly announced that their selection panel had chosen Krista Simmons (the reigning Miss Jamzone and Miss Bartica Regatta at that time) to represent Guyana in Johannesburg, Africa.

None could say when the selection was done and even the reigning Miss Guyana World at time, Miss Candace Charles, indicated that she was informed shortly before the ceremony hosted at Zoom In Hotel that she would have to hand over her crown to Simmons.

At the actual ‘hand over ceremony’, nothing seemed to be in place and the designers assigned to decorating were frantically running around putting finishing touches to the area where the function was hosted.
Even beauty ambassador, Dacia Braithwaite seemed bewildered when it was announced that she was one of the pageant organizers at the event.

The crown was eventually handed over but sparked much controversy among several entertainment entities, potential queens and even sections of the media.
Krista went to Africa of course, ‘did her thing’, and though she did not place among the top ten, supposedly came back with a wealth of experience.

Miss Guyana Renaissance, well planned and executed
Each year this pageant showcases what a pageant should look like, bringing the glitz, glamour, high tech planning and creative versatility that are supposed to surround such events.

With esteemed creative abilities of host Negla Brandis and her team of auspicious organizers, this pageant has over time become a much talked about venture which showcases some of Guyana’s most vivacious, intelligent and talented mature women, who every year bring luster and radiance to the National Cultural Center, the customary home to the pageant.

This uniquely different pageant caters specifically for the matured professional Guyanese woman aged twenty eight and above.
This year around, Brandis stunned the audience with her new mesmerizing décor and dramatic entrance as flight attendant, which still has tongues wagging in appreciation.

From rehearsals to etiquette classes, lessons on poise and confidence, Brandis unleashed a package that guaranteed excellent and serene beauty ambassadors by the time they were ready for friendly but competitive face offs on pageant night.

This year around, beautiful and intelligent Quacy Mc Gowan was adjudged the queen at this pageant.
If you are going to host a pageant, use the Miss Renaissance as an example.

Miss Queen of Lights Sari Pageant, a tug-of-war fiasco
From the very inception, this pageant gave every indication that it was headed for certain catastrophe. It all began when promoter Shiek Hussain decided to host his version of the pageant and named it the 2K8 Diwali Pageant. Of course this sparked much controversy with religious bodies who protested the association of the sacred religious celebration with the likes of a pageant.

When this was resolved, the other party hosting a similar pageant in the same month was also chided by the religious bodies. With this out of the way there were other issues to contend with. Not too keen on engaging in any verbal battle with anyone, Hussain dropped the whole pageant idea and probably focused on the Christmas holidays with his family instead.

All went well until the pageant night when all hell broke loose. Every contestant did fairly well on stage but some definitely outwitted others by far.

The judges took a shocking two hours to tally the scores, evoking mocking laughter from some in the audience. It was quite clear there was a continuous tussle between two particular judges who fiercely pulled tally sheets from each other and were constantly seen erasing and changing scores while some sections of the audience shouted “cheat, cheat”.

Taking note of the judging criteria, persons felt that something was amiss with the results. One of the MC’s also almost fell off the stage as she was about to crown the new queen. Maybe it was some supreme being showing its disapproval with the results.

The newly crowned queen then went backstage beaming but was not greeted with the customary support from her fellow contestants.
Kaieteur News understands that a few contestants showed their disproval by pulling away the crown from the happy lass.

Still not satisfied, the following day several contestants got together and visited several media houses to protest what they called ‘the grave injustice done to them’. Some of these ladies related that several attempts to contact specific organizers proved futile as their calls were refused or either ignored. Surely this pageant will be pondered on for a long time to come.

Miss Jamzone, glitzy and very explosive
Creativity and artistry was at its peak at this year’s Miss Jamzone Summer Break Pageant hosted at the Splashmin’s Resort and Fun Park.

This year around, the contestants depicted intense talent with their creative ‘chosen costumes’, swimsuits and gowns designed in some cases by themselves, parents or some of Guyana’s more rated designers.
The contestants sizzled from the opening dance which reeked of sultry and liquid desire.

Most of the introductions were acceptable with Berbician Lavernia Springer being dubbed as eloquent.
The swimsuit display sent sensual sizzle spiraling into the air and of course most of the models had the assets to do the pieces absolute justice. The competition raged on and the battle was fierce, but in the end it was peppy and pleasant natured Springer who took the top honours and the judge’s nod for the 2K8 queen.
A word of advice to the promoters: It was almost inhumane to have those beauties teetering in high heels over those precariously poised wooden pallets placed in mud as they attempted to climb the steep steps to the stage.

Miss Buxton Spice, an insult to pageantry
Well not to mince matters, the Miss Buxton Spice this year around was a total disaster as agreed by many persons that attended. Firstly, there were technical problems everywhere and the microphones never seemed to work when most needed. This of course gave the MC ‘the time of his life’ as he fought to be heard above the raucous and very aggressive audience.

Obviously, the organizers had intended for the event to take on the likes of a strip joint since the eventual queen who was announced amidst thunderous protest executed a dance dubbed ‘Pon de Edge’ as her talent piece. While the dance and the song selected reeked of obscenity and vulgarity, it was shocking to hear the crowd scream their approval at the queen who touched herself on stage making lewd suggestions. Talk about distasteful! Most of the talent pieces performed were not really impressive but the modeling abilities of the participants were acceptable.

It was shocking to see one contestant cavort and behave wild onstage and one wondered why the promoters allowed this kind of behaviour since most of the contestants were teenagers. And what a queen they chose! Reliable sources informed that the next day the queen was involved in a brawl with others persons over ‘who owns a hottie, hottie male’ in the village.

Promoters, screen your contestants before you dream of planning a pageant.
The stage and dressing room for the contestants were deplorable, and it was a miracle the whole thing did not end up worse than it did.

East Coast Pageants combined: impressive with minor glitches
The village of Golden Grove is to be applauded for their efforts when they hosted the first ever Miss Golden Grove Beauty and Intelligence Pageant earlier this year.

The female promoter called ‘Loyce’ is to be lauded for her efforts at planning, which were evident in the elaborately decorated stage and auditorium. The obviously well trained country lasses did all in their power to outshine each other with great efforts at fluency and intellectual supremacy, which in many cases was matched with natural charisma.

The talent pieces were mostly educational with one or two boring dance pieces in between. However, in the end it was concluded by many that the show was satisfying.

These little damsels – none over eighteen – had obviously taken their modeling lessons which were evident in their confident struts and sashays onstage. Order prevailed at the venue as villagers strived to maintain the highest levels of discipline in the eyes of the media and other special invitees.

Meanwhile, the Miss Ann’s Grove Pageant did not do too badly either but the ladies could have been taught a little more modeling skills. However, what was very evident is that regardless of the small stage and long trek from the dressing room, through a packed hall, the ladies all strove to put on a good show.

The judges, headed by GT&T’s Marvin Pierce, quickly arrived at their results, which was taken in good grace.
Same can be said for the Miss East Coast Pageant hosted at the Victoria Community Center Ground by Promoter ‘Passion’. Unlike last year when there was chaotic confusion at the announcement of the Miss Belfield queen, this time around, there seemed to be order and favourable discipline at the venue.

Miss Bartica Regatta continues to impress
The Miss Bartica Regatta over the years has continued to impress patrons countrywide, offering esteemed entertainment and classy fun. While the pageant is always the climax point at the event, the numerous boat rides, races and various tourism aspects on display are more than a mind teaser.

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