The Guyana Cultural Association of New York is proud to welcome Dr. Paloma Mohamed, Director of the Center of Commu- nications Studies, in the University of Guyana, and a team of filmmakers. Our board members would like to congratu- late CineGuyana as they premier eight inspiring and thought-provoking narrative films, in collab- oration with GCA’s 10th Folk Festival Anniver- sary celebrations. Films such as, Luck Beat Handsome, Three Cards, and The Back Yard, are just three of a cat- egory of short-length documentaries and Videos that will showcase the talents of students in the mass-communications program at the Universi- ty of Guyana. We salute these students, and wish them every success in their careers. As our celebrations kicks into high gear, we would like to thank you our patrons for support- ing us over the past ten years. And to you our new friends, thanks for joining our Face Book group. We feel honored that you have made the same commitment to keep our cultural and her- itage alive in North America. It is hard to believe that this is the sixth issue of our Newsletter. We are delighted that you have taken the time to give us such positive feed- back. We will continue to inspire you, and capti- vate you with our articles and images of our diverse cultural heritage. Don’t forget, take along a Palm Card, and join us for the rest of our rousing events in Brooklyn. Log on to www.guyfolkfest.org for more information and updates. Thank you. TM TM Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc.Newsletter Aug 20, 2011 Volume 2 Issue 6 Letter from the Editor Tangerine Clarke NY PREMIERE OF FILMS PRODUCED BY GUYANESE FILM MAKERS Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter GCA Summer Heritage Campers singing “Small Days” at Camp Finale. Viewing the art from the Guyana Diaspora at the Art Exhibition.
Transcript
The Guyana Cultural Association of NewYork is proud to welcome Dr. PalomaMohamed, Director of the Center of Commu-nications Studies, in the University of Guyana,and a team of filmmakers.
Our board members would like to congratu-late CineGuyana as they premier eight inspiringand thought-provoking narrative films, in collab-oration with GCA’s 10th Folk Festival Anniver-sary celebrations.
Films such as, Luck Beat Handsome, ThreeCards, and The Back Yard, are just three of a cat-egory of short-length documentaries and Videosthat will showcase the talents of students in themass-communications program at the Universi-ty of Guyana. We salute these students, andwish them every success in their careers.
As our celebrations kicks into high gear, wewould like to thank you our patrons for support-ing us over the past ten years. And to you ournew friends, thanks for joining our Face Bookgroup. We feel honored that you have made thesame commitment to keep our cultural and her-itage alive in North America.
It is hard to believe that this is the sixth issueof our Newsletter. We are delighted that youhave taken the time to give us such positive feed-back. We will continue to inspire you, and capti-vate you with our articles and images of ourdiverse cultural heritage.
Don’t forget, take along a Palm Card, andjoin us for the rest of our rousing events inBrooklyn. Log on to www.guyfolkfest.org formore information and updates.
Thank you.
TM
TM
Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc.Newsletter Aug 20, 2011Volume 2Issue 6
Letter from the Editor
Tangerine Clarke
NY PREMIERE OF FILMSPRODUCED BY
GUYANESE FILM MAKERS
Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter
GCA Summer Heritage Campers singing “Small Days” at Camp Finale. Viewing the art from the Guyana Diaspora at the Art Exhibition.
The theme for the 10th anniversary of theGuyana Cultural Association of New York and theGuyana Folk Festival is “Aal bady, Waan bady.” Thegoal is to explore the on-going process of (aalbady) becoming (waan bady)—Guyanese.
The symposium, scheduled for Saturday, Sep-tember 3, 2011 at SUNY/Empire State College,177 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 con-tributes to that goal by examining contemporaryideas about the cultural similarities, commonexperiences, and traditions of solidarity andfriendship that have developed in Guyana overthe past 350 years. The theme for the 2011 sym-posium is “Arrivals, Encounters, and Exchange.”
The 2011 symposium will feature paper pre-sentations, panel discussions, performances, anda parallel video festival. Among the participantsare:
PAPER PRESENTATIONS:Dr. Frank Birbalsingh: “Guyanese litera-
ture—Rooplall Monar.”Dr. Vibert Cambridge: “Music and the early
20th century Guyanese diaspora in Harlem, NY.”John Criswick: “Cumfa.”Dr. Walter Edwards: “Linguistic and soci-
olinguistics characteristics of Guyanese chutneylyrics.”
Alan Fenty: “A Plate-a-Guyana Cook-up.” Carl Hazlewood: “A possible integrative
function of the visual arts of Guyana.”Harry Hergash: “Indian-Guyanese words
and phrases—arrivals, adaptations, obsoles-cence.”
Dr. Paloma Mohamed: “The Creole (1842-1907): Guyana’s 2nd Black newspaper.”
Henry Mootoo: “Transcending Actuality:
The Yard in December.”Cynthia Nelson: “Blogging andgaffing: Guyanese food,Guyanese identity formation &digital media.”Gillian Richards-Greaves:“Negotiating African Guyaneseethnic identities through KwehKweh ritual dance.”Desmond Roberts: Transna-tionalism and retention: TheIndo-Guyanese community inNew York City. Rohan Sagar: “A visit to myneighbors—4000 years later.”Romesh Singh: “Division oflabor among Guyanese andTrinidadian Obeah practitioners:A social perspective.”Rampersaud Tiwari: “My
elders & the Non Pariel Uprising of 13 October1896.”
PERFORMANCES Performances are expected from:Ken Corsbie-- on being a Guyanese in a new
land.Terry Gajraj-- on Indian Guyanese folk musicThe Mighty Rebel-- on political calypsos-1982-
2006.VIDEO FESTIVALAmong the productions to be presented are:Errol Brewster’s: Flambeau.Kean Gibson: Cumfa: A month for the
entertainment of spiritsKean Gibson: Kwe Kwe: African Guyanese
dance traditionsIngrid Griffith: Rough cut of new film-- A
Potter-Griffith Family Reunion.North West Organics: Cassava—Our Cul-
ture, Our Life.Ray Seales: Afro-Guyanese Church ser-
vice on East Bank Demerara.
Efforts will be made to use the Internet tofacilitate participation by Guyanese at home andin the diaspora.
We look forward to seeing you atthe 10th Anniversary Symposium
Saturday, September 3, 2011 9:00 a.m. SUNY/Empire State College,
177 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
6th Floor
Aal bady, Waan bady
2011 GCA SYMPOSIUM“ARRIVALS, ENCOUNTERS,
AND EXCHANGE
“Aal bady, Waan Bady”
2
Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011SUNY/EMPIRE STATE COLLEGE
Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter
Guyana Folk Festival 2011is proud to present the
return of Classique DanceCompany of Guyana to thestage at Family Fun Day onSunday, September 4, 2011.
The performance will feature bodies swathedin radiant colors, againstmuted backgrounds withgraceful lifts andfinger!snapping sass.Their New York repertoirewill include fast!paced, joy-ous pieces followed by theslow, measured steps ofsofter performances.
Clive Powell, choreograph-er and artistic directorhopes Classique’s perfor-mances at this year’s FolkFestival will bring artisticenjoyment and a culturalexperience todance lovers.
ALSO TO PERFORM
AT WEST
INDIAN DAYCARNIVAL
DIMANCHEGRAS
SHOW
CLASSIQUE DANCE COMPANY RETURNS TOFOLK FESTIVAL FAMILYDAY STAGE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2011MEYER LEVIN SCHOOL GROUNDS 5908 BEVERLY RD., BROOKLYN, NY 11203ENTRANCE ON RALPH AVE. (BET. BEVERLY & TILDEN)11.00 A.M. - 8.00 P.M.
EXCIING NEW PIECESSHOWCASING VARIOUS ASPECTS OFGUYANA’S CULTURE & HERITAGE
FAREWELLSHOW
WEDNESDAYSEPT 7,
ST. STEPHEN’SAUDITORIUM
2806 NEWKIRKAVE & E28 ST.
7.00 P.M.
DANCEFOLK FEST FAMILY DAY
Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter
The show includes Frank Bowling,R.A., O.B.E., Stanley Greaves,Bernadette Persaud, Andrew Lyght,Philip Moore, Dudley Charles, DamaliAbrams, Victor Davson, ArlingtonWeithers, Carl Anderson and GregoryA. Henry. Collectively, these artists arein Museum collections across theworld, including the MetropolitanMuseum, NY, the Tate Gallery, Lon-don, as well as the National Collectionof Art in Guyana.
According to curator, Carl E. Hazle-wood, co-founder of Aljira Center ForContemporary Art.“Sponsoring an exhibit of sophisticatedart such as this one is just one way TheGCA of New York continues to shareits major objective: to Preserve, Promoteand Propagate Guyanese Creativity.Poetry, literature, and visual arts areportable means of taking essential cul-tural values along with us wherever wehappen to go. The arts allow us todream in metaphor; allow us to traversethe subtle and concrete territories of ashared history.” The exhibition runs through Septem-ber 3rd 2011.
ART EXHIBITIONContemporary Expressions
ART FROM THEGUYANA DIASPORA
4 AUGUST 14 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2011FiveMyles Gallery558 St. Johns Place, Brooklyn, NY 11238
ART EXHIBITION CONTINUES
Carl Hazlewood
First pic: Makeda Levine with Frank Bowling painting.Second pic: Artist and photographer, Dianne Arndt with
Carl Hazlewood Third pic: Art collector Valerie Coddett takes in the exhibition
( picture credit: Jamaal Levine)
TOUR OF HISTORIC BROWNSTONE & ART GALLERY
5INTERESTED IN GUYANESE ART, INTERIOR DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE ?
YOU’RE INVITED TO TOUR THE HOME OF TIMOTHY GRIFFITH111 MacDONOUGH STREET, STUYVESANTHEIGHTS HISTORIC BROOKLYN DISTRICT
The Guyana Cultural Association of New York presents aspecial event in association with CONTEMPORARYEXPRESSIONS: ART FROM THE GUYANA DIASPORA,the ongoing exhibition of Guyanese art, currently on
view at FiveMyles in Brooklyn.
Timothy T. Griffith, the Guyana-born collector and facilitatorof the arts, is opening up his renovated 1872 Brownstoneto visitors.
Dates and Time:Saturday August 20th, 2011 - 1.00 pm - 6.00 pm Saturay, August 27, 2011 - 1.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Days between Aug 20 and August 27 are by appointment only. Call 917-848-7735 now.
Those interested in interior design, architecture and
Guyanese art are invited tovisit the home of Timothy T. Griffith, Located on111 Macdonough Street, in theStuyvesant Heights Historic dis-trict of Brooklyn.
Mr. Griffith, who received a firstin category,LandmarkCommission ofthe yearAward, forBrownstoneFacadeRestoration,has done acareful anddetailedenhancementof his eleganthome. He hasfilled it with agrowing collection ofexcellent con-temporary art,which featuresmainly artistsof Guyaneseheritage. Theseinclude majorwork in allmedia byartists such asthe lateDonald Locke,British based,FrankBowling, R.A.,O.B.E.,
Arlington Weithers, Andrew Lyght, Dudley Charles, andothers. This house tour is an excellent compliment to theGCA exhibition currently on view at FiveMyles gallery.
Mr. Griffith is concerned with the presentation and preser-vation of Guyanese art, along with the archives of materialrelated to it. As part of promoting Guyana art he hasbegun to place work in museum collections for exhibitionand study. A Donald Locke sculpture was recently donatedto the Tubman African American Museum in Macon,Georgia. The tour presents painting, sculpture, and ceram-ics in an atmosphere of refinement and respect; it demon-strates a model of commitment for those interested instudying, and supporting the art and artists from theGuyanese-American community.
Please call 917-848-7735 now, if interested in taking the tour.
Picture credit Carl Hazlewood
6
In celebration of theGuyana Cultural Associ-ation of New York’s 10thAnniversary, we are offering a DVD featur-ing the late Guyaneseartist, Donald Locke,who is being honored
this year by the organization.All proceeds from sales will benefit the GCA.
Published and donated by collector, TimothyT. Griffith, the DVD package includes a bookletwith a brief introduction and an illustratedcronology written by Carl E. Hazlewood. Thepublication documents Locke’s art and life. Bornin the village of Stewartville, Guyana, DonaldLocke first studied with E.R. Burrowes inGeorgetown, Guyana, before attending graduateschool in the UK. From London, he moved tothe US on a Guggenheim Fellowship and even-tually settled in Atlanta, Georgia. His work inpainting, sculpture, and mixed media ceramics isin collectons around the world including theVictoria and Albert Museum, the Studio Muse-um in Harlem, and Guyana’s National Collec-tion at Castellani House.
The DVD is available at a suggested price of$20. All proceeds go to the Guyana CulturalAssociation of New York.
DONALDLOCKE
TALKS ABOUT HIS LARGESCALE DRAWINGS AND
MIXED MEDIA SCULPTURE
DVD MASTER WORKS/RECENT WORKS
$20.AVAILABLEFOR SALE ATALL 2011FOLK FESTIVALEVENTS
TO ORDER:718 209 5207 THE B G GROUP
ART TALK SERIES VOLUME 1
Carl Hazlewood
7
( picture credit:Tangerine Clarke)
THE PICTURES TELL THE STORYTop: Some of the Campers andSummer Camp volunteer staff posewith Councilmember MathieuEugene.
The “Baby Campers” go throughtheir routine to the “CaribbeanBasket Dance” choreographed byVerna Walcott-White
Ms Parris, volunteer camp teacher,with masks done by campers in thearts and craft workshop.
The CAribbean “Stick Dance” choreo-graphed by Wayne Daniels
COUNCILMEMBERMATHIEU EUGENEAPPLAUDS GCA FORCOMMITMENT TOYOUTH AND THE COMMUNITY.PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR FUTURE CAMPS
The spirited rhythms of the drumsand the merriment the night
before a Guyanese couple is wed, is ayears old tradition that has been a partof the African heritage for centuries.Kwe Kwe, one of the annual Folk Festi-val events for the past six years, hasgrown in popularity to bring Guyanesefrom around the globe in droves to be apart of a its demonstration. As the festival prepares to host anotherKwe Kwe night, on Friday, September3, at the St. Stephens Church Auditori-um, Newkirk and East 28th Streetlocation in Brooklyn, we invited MasterDrummer, and the keeper of Guyanesetraditions, Menes DeGroit, to give ushis take on the Kwe Kwe tradition.
Menes, whois a one ofthe pre-emi-nent KweKwe pur-veyors in theDiaspora,said almostevery cul-ture aroundthe worldcelebrates apre-mar-
riage ceremo-ny, but hetraces the
Guyanese tradition to the South Africaculture that begins with a libation cere-mony, where water is poured to theground to honor the Ancestors. Theceremony he said, depending on theextent of the festivities, Kwe Kew couldlast for one whole week.The man’s family would sing and danceas the make their way to the gate ofgirl’s family with a bunch of flowers,while waving palm tree leaves. Theywould also bring food items. For exam-ple, a bag of rice, a goat, chicken, whichwould be cooked on a bon-fire in theyard of the groom’s family, where thetradition is, the groom’s family pays thebride. Where as in the Indian tradition,the emphasis is place on the man, and
the girl’s family pays the dowry.Menes explains that while the potcooks, the villagers as customary, wouldbe dressed in African traditional wearor anything that would reflect theirancestry. Beginning at mid night thegroup would dance and sing as thedrums are played. During the ceremonythe bridge would be hoisted in the air asa significance to her being the founda-tion of the family and being respectedat all times.During the celebration, the night beforethe marriage ceremony, a white sheetdrapes the bride, symbolic of her virginity,.Kwe kwe , known to provoke stirringbody movement to the rhythms of thedrumbeats, said Menes “teachesprospective brides how to please theirgroom to bring forth children, which isthe custom in the African tradition.”According to him, “even though a mar-riage takes place, in some cultures it isnot fully consummated until a child isproduced.”Songs like “Come to my Kwe Kwe”,Show Me Ya Science”, and many othersevoke the steep tradition buried in theGuyanese culture .
Menes De Griot oan be contacted at 347-488-5010 for all Kwe Kwe ceremonies, funerals andbirthday occasions.
CALLING ALL BRIDES & BRIDEGROOMSCOME SHOW WE YUH SCIUNCE!
KWE KWE NITE
8
KEEPING UP THE TRADITIONMENES DE GRIOT TALKSQUE QUEH...
SEPTEMBER 2, 2011 - 8.00 P.M.ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH AUDITORIUM2806 NEWKIRK & E.28 STS. BKLYN, NY 11226
Tangerine Clarke
Menes De Griot demonstrating Kwe Kwe steps
GUYANESE LITERATURE
Leyland Hazlewoodmakinga presen-tation at the 201annual GCALiterary Hangin June.
ABOUT THE BOOKIn this exciting read, everyone willfollow Chester, the field mouse wholongs for thecountryside that had been destroyedfor the building of a city, as heembarks on a journeyto Africa. Chester goes to Africa tofind clean, wide open spaces withlakes, mountains andfields. Readers can join him on anadventure of a lifetime as he faceswith many fierceanimals that frequent the Africanlandscape. Using his drum that helearned to play in thecity that he left, Chester seeks tobefriend these fierce animals with
his music. But will he beable to find friendship in his newenvironment? Read to find out.
A beautiful story of adventure,friendship, and the environment,Chester goes to Africa isbrightly colored, wonderfully writ-ten, and beautifully illustrated book.If you've ever wanted to find a wayto expose your kids to different cul-tures this book is the perfect fit!BUY THIS BOOK TODAY! Ipromise you and your kids won't bedisappointed.
ABOUT THE AUTHORLeyland Hazlewood is an interna-
tional marketing and project devel-opment specialist anddiplomat. He has been a corporateCEO, lecturer in economics atBaruch College, NY, anexecutive member of the Board ofTrustees for Early Steps, an organi-zation devoted topromoting diversity in New YorkCity’s independent schools and alsoBoard of Trustees, StMarks College, South Africa.Hazlewood has also produced twoeditions of “The Green ToysDirectory”, a comprehensive guideto green and eco-friendly toys andgames. His consultingactivities involving human develop-ment, the environment and businesshave beentransformational in many countriesover the span of three decades..
CHESTER GOES TO AFRICA
LEYLAND HAZLEWOOD’S
Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter
9
WordsworthMcANdrew andMonica
Chopperfield“Lady Guymineat GCA AwardsCeremony”
Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter
GCA 10 YEARS CELEBRATING GUYANA’S CULTURAL HERITAGE
As the AnnualGuyana FolkFestival commemo-rates its 10thAnniversary, let’stake a brief lookback, and say thank
you to cultural legends WordsworthMcAndrew and Monica Chopprfield, whomade significant contributions during GCA’sdecade of celebrations, and to Guyana’s cul-ture as a whole.
Mac and Lady Guymine were outstandingGuyanese. They were in a class by them-selves. Ask anyone, and they will tell youthat these luminaries were pioneeringgeniuses who for decades, transfixed audi-ences with moving presentations, in theirown unique way.
Mac’s passionate poem Ole’ Higue, becamea centerpiece at every production, and wonthe 2000 Commonwealth short StoryCompetition. His vast body of work includ-ed radio serials, writings, and words hecoined, can never be duplicated.
Affectionately called Mac, this scholar of lifelessons, was an outspoken champion forGuyanese culture. Dr. Vibert Cambridgewrote “For almost five decades McAndrewwas an unyielding advocate for the collec-tion, preservation, and celebration ofGuyanese life.”
Harry Girdhari, a neighbor and fan, hailedMac as an original in the conduct of his
trade, a product of the times during the 60sand 70s, wanting the freedom that an artistexpected for full creativity. “He dressed dif-ferently but appropriately – his way - withdashiki and sandals.”.
Mac spoke English, and also in a mannerthat most Guyanese would understandknown as – creoles. Most radio listenerswould tune in to Mac’s Creole MecheMeche. He expounded as a folklorist bring-ing to the fore many of the charm of story-telling and pride in Guyanese everyday lan-guage and mythology, said Girdhari.“Wordsworth’s acting prowess should notgo unnoticed. He was active in TheatreGuild, and he is well remembered in SheikSadeike’s play Porknockers”, said Girdharri.
Mac’s exceptional work transcended manygenerations, and inspired the GuyanaCultural Association in 2002, to inauguratethe Wordsworth McAndrew Awards, a trib-ute that MacAndrew witnessed.
Mac became a fixture at the Annual FolkFestival, but due to failing health, he,because of a recluse and died in April 2008.
I remember writing – “The curtain camedown on a once powerful cultural geniusthat many called a pioneer of Guyanese folk-lore, a national treasure. Wordsworth A.McAndrew, a man who lived his life as anactive cultural ambassador for over 50years, stayed still for the first time.
Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter
11
Monica Chopperfield who was known as LadyMonica, Lady Guybau and Lady Guymine wasdefined by her charming stage presence, wit andeffervescence. She was a calypso and culturalpowerhouse. Popularly known as “Granny Fit”,after one of her hugely popular hits,Chopperfield’s career skyrocketed after a modeststart at the then Olympic Cinema on LambertStreet in Georgetown.
Lady Guymine took the Caribbean by storm, per-forming with giants like the Lord Canary, LordInventor, the Mighty Sparrow, Sam Chase andJack Mello, and the Syncopators Band, where sheperformed as one of two lead innovative jazz andswing vocalists. She left an indelible mark wher-ever she performed.
In 2003, Lady Guymine created a stir during herfirst performance at the Annual Folk Festival,when it was held at the Brooklyn Children’sMuseum. “Granny fit” took to the stage andrevved up the crowd with fitness antics, and stir-ring vocals that attracted a new fan base. Afterperforming for many years with promotersHoward McLeod and Les Slater at the BrooklynMother’s Day concerts, Lady Guymine droppedout of sight after a hospitalized illness, and likeMac, faded away from public life.
But with the support of the GCA, Lady Guyminetook a final bow in September 2008, at a benefitconcert in Brooklyn, where she joined her oldcalypso colleagues for an emotion, invigoratingpresentation that got Lady Guymine on her feetfor a ‘Granny Fit” moment.
Sadly, not long after Lady Guymine’s return toher home in Guyana, she passed away, leavingbehind a powerful legacy of great entertainment.
“Granny Fit, Granny Fit,Granny Fit, Fit, Fit”
Ol' woman wid de wrinkled skin,
Leh de ol' higue wuk begin.
Put on you fiery disguise,
Ol' woman wid de weary eyes
Shed you swizzly skin.
Ball o' fire, raise up high
Raise up till you touch de sky.
Land 'pon top somebody roof
Tr'ipse in through de keyhole - poof!
Open you ol' higue eye.
Find de baby where 'e lie
Change back faster than de eye.
Find de baby, lif de sheet,
Mek de puncture wid you teet',
Suck de baby dry.
Before 'e wake an' start to cry
Change back fast, an' out you fly.
Find de goobie wid you skin
Mek de semidodge, then - in!
Grin you ol' higue grin.
In you dutty powder gown
Next day schoolchildren flock you round.
"Ol' higue, ol' higue!" dey hollerin' out
Tek it easy, hold you mout'
Doan leh dem find you out.
Dey gwine mark up wid a chalk
Everywhere wheh you got to walk
You bridge, you door, you jealousie
But cross de marks an' leh dem see
Else dey might spread de talk.
Fly across dis window sill,
Why dis baby lyin' so still?
Lif' de sheet like how you does do,
Oh God! Dis baby nightgown blue!
Run fo' de window sill!
Woman you gwine run or not?
Doan mind de rice near to de cot.
De smel l o' asafoetida
Like um tek effect 'pon you.
You wan' get kyetch or what?
But now is too late for advice,
'Cause you done start to count de rice
continued on page 18
OL' HIGUEby Wordsworth McAndrew
The Guyana Cultural Associ-ation Film & Video Festival willon Sunday, August 21, 2011 pre-miere eight new short films pro-duced in Guyana by Guyanesefilm makers. The screening atthe Billie Holiday Theatre atRestoration Plaza on FultonStreet in Brooklyn, New York,will start at 4.00 p.m.
The films which range inlength from 12 minutes to 20minutes are on varied themesfrom love to loss and back again.The films are also of variousstyles ranging from pseudo-horror (Bunny Alves- The Encounterstarring Jennifer Thomas ), tofable ( Smolana Varswyks “ TheBottle, starring Henry Rodney” ,to tragedy ( Shaudel Philips –Hope, starring Lisa Punch orKojo Mcpheson’s Beached star-ring Leslyn ), comedy ( ErrolChan’s Luck Beat Handsomestarring Sheldon Braithwaite orDenise Harris’ Backyard starringTenica Defreitas) or drama (Tradition starring LavonneGeorge)
ABOUT THE PRODUCERS & DIRECTORS:Dr. Paloma Mohamed, Executive ProducerDr. Paloma Mohamed is a social
scientist by training and an artist bypractice. She is an award winning poet,essayist, playwright and director has
written several books including, ‘Con-doned by Our Silence: Issues Impactingthe Abuse of Children in Guyana,(UNICEF, 2000)’; ‘Caribbean Mytholo-gy and Modern Life: 5 One Act Playsfor Young People ( The Majority Pressand UNESCO, 2004)’; “Song” ( 200)and “Com Fiah” ( 1998) and “ Commu-nicative Power and Social Change inthe Caribbean” (Hansib, London,2011). Mohamed has also publishedarticles on communications and socialchange in academic journals such as“The Journal of Caribbean Studies”.
Paloma Mohamed is currentlyDirector of the Centre for Communi-cation Studies at the University ofGuyana where she also teaches socialpsychology, television production andcommunications research.
She is also the Chairperson of theTheatre Guild of Guyana.
Mohamed is a three time winner ofthe Guyana Prize for Literature. Shehas won the several other awards forher work in the Theatre including aCacique Lifetime awarded by Trinidadand Tobago. She was recently awardeda Presidential Medal of Service for herwork in arts and education in Guyana.
Brian Zahm, Co-ExecutiveProducer of CineGuyana 2011. "Brian Zahm, M.F.A. has workedprofessionally in the film industrysince 1994. His work as cinematog-rapher, director, producer, editor hasbeen shown at film festivals, clubs,galleries, and on television the worldover. He earned his MFA from OhioUniversity's School of Film. Brianfirst visited Guyana in 2010 as part of
team that worked with Guyanesestudents and professionals to producePepper Pot--an innovative documen-tary series for Guyanese television.He returned in March 2011 anddirected the three (3) month trainingprogram on film making whichresulted in the eight (8) features filmsmade under the President's FilmEndowment Project 2010--CineGuyana 2011."
THE BOTTLEDirector: Smolana Varswyk,
is a 34 year old resident of the Essequi-bo Coast. She is a teacher at the Cot-ton Field Secondary School and moth-er of three lovely children. This is thefirst film that Varswyk has written anddirected. This film is based on a tale ofthe legendary ‘ baccoo' told to her byher grandmother and mother.
Producer: Crystal Stoll - Bornon the 5th of July, 1992 in Georgetown,Guyana to Sherlock Stoll and OliveObermuller. The third of five children,she attended Annandale SecondarySchool where she became activelyinvolved in Drama, Music and Dance.Crystal then ventured into the field ofPublic Communication at the Universi-ty of Guyana where she developed herskills through the various media ofcommunication. Being a member of thePresident's Film Endowment, shegained her first experienced as a Pro-ducer for the short film “THE BOT-TLE”. Ms. Stoll’s greatest dream is tocontinue her work in the film industry,since her passion craves for creativityand satisfying the public with hardwork and entertainment.
GUYANESE FILM MAKERS,ACTORS FOR
NEW YORK PREMIERE SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2011-4.00 P.M.
PRESENTATION BYDR. PALOMAMOHAMED, DIRECTOR, CENTERFOR COMMUNICATIONSTUDIES, UNIVERSITYOF GUYANA ON THESTORY BEHIND THEDRAMATIC DEVELOPMENT INGUYANA FILM MAKINGANDMR. LOUIS KILKEN-NY,FORMER DIRECTOR,GUYANA FILM CENTER
GCA 2011 FILM &VIDEO FESTIVAL
12
Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter
BILLIE HOLIDAY THEATRE AT RESTORATION PLAZA
14
15GCA 2011 FILM &VIDEO FESTIVAL
Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter
BEACHEDDirector: Kojo McPherson -
His first writings were poetry and healso became involved in performing. Hejoined the Janus Young Writers' Guildand became a known face in perfor-mance poetry. He pursued a Degree inInternational Relations from UG. Hewrote his first play in 2010 during aPlaywriting Workshop, a part of theTheatre Guild's One Act Festival andthe National Drama Festival.'BEACHED' is the first film he haswritten and directed. Kojo is also a pho-tographer.
Producer: Mosa Telford - Shewas introduced to Theatre at a very ten-der age by attending plays at the Nation-al Cultural Centre with her family. Shebegan by writing a few skits and poetryfor the church she attended. She wasalso involved in a Youth Group called'Youths with a Motive' headed by Mr.Eusi Kwayana. It was during this timethat she wrote her first play called'DREAM LESSON'. Most recently, sheparticipated in a playwriting workshopheaded by Dr. Paloma Mohammed dur-ing which she wrote a play called'SHADOWS'. Though she had writtena number of plays, it is the one that sheis most proud of because of the craft shelearnt while writing this play. This playwas a part of the Theatre Guild's OneAct Festival and the National DramaFestival. 'BEACHED' is the first filmshe co-wrote and produced.
THE ENCOUNTERWriter/Director & Editor:
Bonny Alves is regarded as the Pio-neer in the rebirth of our local MusicIndustry, an effort that started in 1991which saw the reintroduction of localrecordings. Since then he has been amajor contributor working with over100 local & overseas artistes, producing& arranging over 700 recorded songs,producing radio & television commer-cials for some of the major companies,directed over 160 music videos, has 8road march titles, produced 5 calypsomonarchs, and has written, directed andco-produced 6 short movies, making thisnew movie his 7th. He has performed atthe renowned Apollo Theatre in NewYork and to-date stands at the onlyGuyanese Composer & Arranger tohave won an international song competi-
tion His productions have been playedon Radio & Television Stations inGuyana, the Caribbean, USA, Brazil,France, Malta, Norway, Costa Rica, Eng-land and Canada, the high point ofwhich was the achievement of theAlbum “CONSCIOUSNESS 2” gain-ing No 1 Status in Guam KPRG89.3FM and France Radio 99.2FM.
Producer: Charmaine Blackman- has been singing for 21 years profes-sionally and has contributed quite signif-icantly in the development of music inGuyana. She has done more than 100Radio & Television commercials formajor companies, over 40 music videosand recorded over 300 songs, appearedon stage with the cream of crop ofCaribbean & International Artistes suchas Machael Montano, Beres Ham-mond, Alison Hinds and the Manhat-tans just to name a few. Ms. Blackmanhas performed in 23 countries, the highpoint being at the RINGBANG MIL-LENNIUM CONCERT in Tobago,televised by the BBC to 2.5 billion view-ers around the world, headlined byEddie Grant. Charmaine moved toanother level by being the co-producerfor the locally produced movies'RIGHT CHOICES', 'KING OFDRUMS', and 'DECEPTION'. Hervoice was also used in 2 locally producedanimated short films.
3 CARDSWriter/Director: Michael
James - Born in the village of Buxtonon the East Coast of Demerara but grewup in Blue Berry Hill Wismar, Linden.As a song and play writer he has pro-duced fourteen stage plays and numer-ous Gospel concerts. He has directedand produced four movies: “THECOAL POT SAGA” , “ OLE HOUSEPUN OLE HOUSE PARTS ONE &TWO” and most recently “TAN-TIMERLE AND SHE JUNKY”.
Assistant Director: WadeciaDevonni Donald Wadecia is pursu-ing a degree in Communications Studies
at the University of Guyana, wherenumerous opportunities arose for her toharness her skills in television produc-tion. These skills she has been putting togood use by being a part of the CCSfirst independent school productiontitled 'Cellink Kidstage’. She is an aviddancer and aspiring social researcher.
TRADITIONDirector: Margaret Lawrence
A.A., Maggie Lawrence (as she isknown to many) is an alumna of TheBishops High School and comes from abackground of over thirty years inBroadcasting and the Performing Arts.In 1991 she received a National Award,The Golden Arrow of Achievement forDrama & Broadcasting. Ms. Lawrencewas trained at The University ofGuyana, Carimac, University of theWest Indies and The BBC. She's alsothe recipient of the Prime Minister'sMedal for Public Management (2000).She is the Executive Director of Merun-doi Incorporated a Non GovernmentalOrganisation (NGO) specializing inbehaviour change communication byutilizing drama and other media. Mag-gie has been trained in acting, writing &directing for Stage, Television, Film andStreet (Forum) Theatre by the BBC,Theatre Guild, Trevor Rhone, DenisScott, Dr. Malcolm Rodrigues, AlCreighton, Dr. Paloma Mohamed ,Rebecca McCutcheon and Brian Zahm.
Producer: Richard Pitman -Richard Pitman is a scriptwriter atMerundoi, Incorporated for the past 5years. He is pursuing a Diploma inCommunication Studies at the Univer-sity of Guyana. From news reporting,infomercials, public awareness cam-paigns to poetry, he has always had a cre-ative way of writing to get the messageacross. Dr. Paloma Mohamed, TrevorRhone, Rebecca McCutcheon and BrianZahm are persons who have influencedhis writing career so far.
GUYANESE FILM MAKERS,ACTORS FOR
NEW YORK PREMIERE
16 HOPEDirector/Writer: Shaundel
Phillips - Shaundel Phillips is aGuyanese schoolteacher for over 20years. Ms. Phillips resides in Berbiceand enjoys writing about issuesreflecting her environment and experi-ences. Her love for drama and TheArts has led this mother of one to pio-neer the teaching of Theatre Arts atthe Caribbean Secondary EducationCertificate level in Guyana. She has apassion for people and their way oflife, which are issues reflected in thefour plays she has written and stagedlocally. She enjoys challenges andeagerly anticipates doing what sheknows best, which is, making a differ-ence in a person's life.
LUCK BEAT HANDSOMEErrol Chan - Writer/Director -
Errol Chan has been writing, direct-ing, performing and producing since1994. In 1996 Chan directed the win-ning play which was performed byBartica Secondary School at the firstever National Drama Festival. Hethen directed Guyana's play at theCaribbean School Drama Festivalwhich was held in 1997. In 2005 Chanwrote and directed his first play'SHATTERED' and has since writ-ten and directed several other playssuch as 'FLAWED' ' INFLUENCE'and 'WHEN JASON RETURNED'to name a few. This is Errol Chan'sfirst attempt at writing and directing amovie.
Producer: Troy Azore - TroyAzore has a career in The Arts thatspans more than ten years. After start-ing his career as a singer, performingwith one of Guyana's most popularreggae groups “First Born”, Azorefound a love for editing and video. Hehas since produced videos for some ofGuyana's most recognised artistes likeFojo and Fire Clann. . This is his firsttime producing a movie.
BACKYARD:Director: Denise Harris -
now holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) inTheology from the Caribbean Schoolof Theology, and an Honour Certifi-cate from Lever Brothers as a mediacoordinator, a profession that she hasembraced in excess of thirty years.
Denise is the CEO of her owncompany 'Harris Art' and also servesas the Assistant Pastor of theRuimveldt Life Improvement Centre(RLIC). Additionally, she is the wifeof the Senior Pastor of RLIC and aloving mother of four children. Shealso directs music videos.
Assistant Director/Screen-writer: Tiffany Vasquez - Fromthe age of five, Tiffany's passion hasalways been to write so it came as nosurprise when she first started writingsongs. Now, at age nineteen she is con-stantly following her dreams of abecoming a full fledged writer bypursing studies at the University ofGuyana. Tiffany is a Christian and asinger and her whole life revolvesaround The Arts. !
Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter
GCA 2011 FILM &VIDEO FESTIVAL
Page 2: SymposiumPage 4: Art ExhibitionPage 6: Donald LockePage 8: The Kwe Kwe
Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter
17
Across two oceans, seventeen internationaldate lines and more than ten thousand milesaway from Guyana you can find the Kingdomof Thailand, formally Siam. For those who areold enough to remember, it is just a place in a1956 movie, The King and I, staring YuleBrynner. For me, it is a surrogate home for anumber of reasons such as: The abundance ofpine-apple, mangoes, psydium, doungs, bora,karila, bread fruit and sorrel at prices reminis-cent of Guyana 1960. This also comes withthe added attraction of living in a developingcountry in tropical Southeast Asia. After a fewyears one gets accustomed to the humidity,rain, flooding, mosquitoes and gossipingneighbors.
Having avoided all of the depressing pit-falls Ioccupy myself by teaching English at a bilin-gual high school. It was during this episodetwo years ago when it all happened. Periodical-ly during teaching I would punctuate my classwith stories from my child hood days inBritish Guiana (Guyana)–– Masakuraman,Moongazer, Ole higue and other jumbie sto-ries. It was during one of these sessions whenI was relating the adventures of two Bakoos,Bai and Boise, which according to my auntMazie, were responsible for the disappearanceof items or small amount of cash around thehouse including money she thought she hidunder the oil-skin table cloth. After getting noreasonable answer from the children in thehouse she would conclude, with pot-spoon inone hand and after wiping her face with herfood-stained apron, “Well, I guess Bai andBoise come in de house and tek it.” Accordingto aunt Mazie’s husband, uncle Eustace, Baiand Boise were two spirit-like people not morethan eighteen-inches tallthat were once owned by a rich Asian man inRobb Street. The Bakoos were responsible forhis wealth and obeyed his every command justas long as he kept them fed with milk andbananas. However, the owner of the Bakoosdied and the Bakoos had to fend for them-selves. So, in their invisible state they would gofrom place-to-place creating all kinds of mis-chief including stealing money.
As I unfolded the adventures of Bai and Boiseto a class of high school seven-graders Inoticed one of the female Thai teachers fol-lowing my every word with intense interest.
When the session was over the Thai teachercame to me and wanted to know more about
Bakoos. I explained to her that I was onlyrepeating what I heard when I was not morethan ten-years old. I asked her why the interestin a folk tale that was spawned more than ten-thousand miles away. She told me that she hadnever heard the word Bakoo before and itsounded nice.
With the passage of time we both driftedapart and I was told that the female teacherwho I was once a colleague of was not teachingat an international school in a province southof Bangkok. One holiday week end I was in asouthern province and ran into the sameteacher I spoke to about the Bakoo story. Heremembered me and proceeded to remind meabout Bai and Boise. With a smile on her faceshe said, “I got married eighteen months agoand I would like to show you my new houseand would like you to meet my husband. He isfrom Australia.”
I have never passed up a chance to make newacquaintances, shake hands and shot thebreeze. My reply was, “Hey, I would be glad tomeet your husband so I cold wish you bothsuccess I your marriage.”
Her smile got even bigger as she noticed that Iwas willing to go with her to the family home.As I climbed into the back seat of her car, sheturned around and said, “By the way, I have anew born baby boy at home, his name isBakoo.”
“Stop, stop the car,” I said.
With a surprised look on her face she askedwhat the matter was. Without showing anysigns of worry I said, “Since I was knee highmy parents warned me about Backos. I justdon’t feel comfortable going to a house know-ing that here is a Bakoo inside. Thanks but nothanks.” I came out of the car and headed forthe safety of a crowded coffee shop.
If you ever come to Thailand and you so
desire, I could take you to my friend’s house tosee a real live Bakoo.
A Bakoo in Thailand
Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter
THINGS GUYANESE THINGS SIAMESE
by: Derrick “John” Jeffrey
“Since I was knee high my parents warned me aboutBackos. I just don’t feel comfortable going to ahouse knowing that here is a Bakoo inside. Thanksbut no thanks.”
An' if you only drop one grain
You must begin it all again.
But you gwine count in vain.
Whuh ah tell you?
Day done, light an' rice stillmountin'
Till dey wake an' kyetch youcountin'
An' pick u p de big fat
cabbage broom
An' beat you all around de room.
Is now you should start countin'
Whaxen! Whaxen! Whaxen! Plai!
You gwine pay fo' you sins befo' you die.
Lash she all across she head
You suck me baby till um dead?
Whaxen! Whaxen! Plai!
You feel de manicole 'cross you hip?
Beat she till blood start to drip.
"Ow me God! You bruk me hip!
Done now, nuh? Allyou done!"
Is whuh you sayin' deh, you witch?
Done? Look, allyou beat de bitch.
Whaxen! Whaxen! Pladai! Plai!
Die, you witch you. Die.
Whaxen! Whaxen! Plai!
OL' HIGUEby Wordsworth McAndrew
continued from page 11
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Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter
