March 15, 2011
GCA Folk and Culture Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Sponsors of Guyana Folk Festival
Volume 1, Issue 1
The Guyana Cultural Association (GCA) of NY has a new President
GCA’s new President
MoBraf’s award
Phagwah Day Parade
Tennicia Award
GCA’s Summer events
Cynthia Nelson’s cookbook NY launch
Mother’s Day Dinnner theatre
Chuckle Comedy Corner
by Edgar Henry Dr. Vibert Cambridge, Ph.D professor at Ohio University was recently elected president of GCA. His name is well known by most Guyanese in the cultural arena. Over the years he has been visible in the educational heritage of Guyana, the Caribbean and by extension in global circles. Dr. Cambridge brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills to the organization. He is no stranger to GCA since he served as a board member for umpteen years. He teaches courses in communication for social change and international communication in the school of media Arts and Studies. Despite the fact that he published several books papers and articles he is very innovative and exercises development of thought and good decisions making, which would auger well towards the onward projection of the Guyana Cultural Association. His vision for GCA is one of
“I enjoyed the meetings with the GCA family in New York and in Guyana. They are energizing. It was a clear demonstration that the New York base is solid and energized. There is excitement in the air.”
Dr.Vibert Cambridge unity which coincides with the peculiar slogan slated for this year - our tenth anniversary which states “Aal Bady, Waan Bady.” This expression may not be readily accepted unless understood. It simply translates to “Every individual should pool all resources as one resource” or in other words everyone is equal and we should work together as one component in unity.
He added, “Among the ideas explored with Maggie Lawrence in Georgetown, potential elements in GCA's 10th anniversary activities in Guyana are: an Awards Ceremony; a secondary schools symposium on the theme "Arrival, Encounter and Exchange"; an exhibition, including a display of photographs to be curated by Godfrey Chin; and the relaunching of the Guyana National Folk Festival.” He continued, “Our 10th anniversary program is shaping up to be a significant moment. (contd .on pg 2)
After his recent trip to Guyana and at a welcoming party held in his honor in Brooklyn he said
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to the first edition of the Guyana Cultural Association- Folk Festival Newsletter. With your support and guidance, our mission to Preserve, Promote and Propagate of culture, will be achieved through our programs, and the spirit of this year’s theme "Aal bady, waan bady" As we embark upon the planning of our 10th Anniversary of events, let us reflect - on the excitement we enjoyed during these past
years celebrating our rich multicultural heritage – and strive to better nurture our culture that unites us as a people. Throughout this newsletter you will be enthralled by some of Guyana’s most talented artists and their extraordinary achievements. You will read about a rousing reception to welcome our new president, Dr. Vibert Cambridge, our youth award recipient Tenecia DeFretas who made us 1
proud when she captured two calypso titles in the 2011 Mashramani Monarch competition - and the launch of Cynthia Nelson’s book of Guyanese cuisine, that is receiving rave reviews. Our theme, ‘Aal bady, Waan Bady’ allows for showcasing and celebrating a rich tradition. The Guyana Folk Festival season will demonstrate our rich heritage, and will explore, display and supports its possibilities.” (contd .on pg 2)
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Page 2
GC A F o l k a n d C u l t u r e
The Guyana Cultural Association (GCA) of NY has a new President (Contd. from page 1) The reception which was held at HQ Cocktail Lounge on Nostrand Avenue provided an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie. Hilton Hemerding’s fingers on the keyboard provided nostalgic folksongs that brought about humming, sing-along and in some instances laughter and revelry to the well attended ceremony. The drum poetry by drummer extraordinaire Winston “Jeggae” Hoppie welcomed the new president in fine style:“Open de door leh Vibert cum in Aal ah wee is waan Family” The excellent dance performance of “Jimbaa” by Classique Dance Co., added immensely to the artistic evening as they too are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. Our financial Director Claire Patterson – Monah welcomed everyone and praised the new president Dr. Vibert Cambridge and Vice president Romesh Singh for accepting their new roles. She also recognized various support groups, alumni associations, Chuck Mohan who brought greetings from Harry Bissoon of the Queens Guyana Day Committee, and the message from the Tri State Alliance representative Pat Langford on behalf of the Consul General of Guyana
Message from the Editor
the Hon. Brentnold Evans. Our secretary Dr. Juliet A Emanuel recognized all the GCA board members and complimented them for their hard work and dedicated involvement over the years. She also paid solemn tribute to the outgoing President Malcolm Hall and commended him for his exceptional input as president for the last eight years. Kudos to the cultural Director Claire-Ann Goring, for piecing together a glorious reception in a short time frame. The GCA staff would like to thank all those who participated giving special credit to the food/snack donors, the Lammy Family for their contribution and also to Linden Tudor for providing the venue to welcome our new president. Vibert, congratulations are in order as we seek to Preserve, Promote and Propagate Guyanese Creativity.
(Contd from Page 1) These are just a few of the article that will whet your appetite, leaving you asking for more. Please enjoy our issue and send us your ideas and suggestions. In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to salute our hard working members.
Check out the GCA Summer Events on pg.6
Their dynamic contribution is a testament to their commitment to promoting Guyana’s cultural heritage, at home and abroad, as they build upon the success of our organization and its annual festival. Tangerine Clarke
Aal Baady,Waan Baady. Preserve,Promote, Propagate Guyanese Creativity. Check out GCA Mother’s Day Dinner Theatre Pg 7
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V o lu me 1 , Is su e 1
Page 3
GC A F o l k a n d C u l t u r e
WAY TO GO MO –CONGRATS! We applaud our own dear Maurice Braithwaite (Mo), Assistant to the GCA’s Director of Culture , on his well-deserved Civic Award, presented to him by Queens Borough President, the Honorable Helen Marshall. Braithwaite, who has been with GCA since its inception, received the prestigious award recently, during a lavish ceremony at Queens Borough Hall as part of a month-long African American Heritage celebration of activities to honor community leaders.
Winston “Jeggae” Hoppie doing his thing on the drums
Mo, who has directed a number of plays at GCA’s Performing Arts Stage at the annual Folk Festival, is a qualified engineer who has
“the community
used his skill to volunteer in the community, while honing his love of the arts.
is an extension of
A talent to be reckoned with, Mo is the
our homes and
Drama Instructor of the Parsons Beacon,
we must get
Child Center of New York, and a Mentor with the Harlem YMCA. He also finds the time to coach the Speech and Debate team of St.
Maurice Braithwaite receiving his Award from the Queens Bor-
involved”
ough President, Honorable Helen Marshall
Francis Prep High School, and has served in the capacity of Budge Director, as well as Executive Secretary of Community Board #8 in Queens. This upstanding citizen is known for bringing some of the best productions to the stage, while serving as the President/Treasurer of the Flushing Suburban Civic Association. He was presented with numerous accolades, namely, the Xerox President Club Award, from Xerox Corporation, where he was employed for twenty-eight years. He was also presented with the Black Achievers in Industry Award, the Flushing Suburban Civic Association Award, and the St Vincent Catholic Medical Centers Minority Employee Award, from the NAACP, just to name a few. Mo’s love for music was evident when he celebrated his 70th Birthday at a celebration at The Worlds Fair Marina. From the 60’s to hip-hop to soul music, Mo danced the night away with his lovely wife of thirty-nine years Rosemarie, along with his handsome sons Marcel, and Tiberious.
Check out the GCA Summer Events Mo believes - “the community is an extension of our homes and we must get involved” Keep the Birthdays coming Mo!
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on pg.6
V o lu me 1 , Is su e 1
Page 4
GC A F o l k a n d C u l t u r e
Phagwah Parade to be held on March 20th Liberty Ave Richmond Hill the celebration came about
11am.
The New York West Indian
when a despotic King
It is advised that you dress
Community on Sunday
Kiranya was ordered to be
warm if you intend to join.
March 20th 2011 will cele-
burnt alive by his son Prince
If you take photos, a water-
brate the festival of Phagwah
Prahalad because of the suf-
proof protector for you cam-
with its’ annual parade that
fering which his people en-
era is well worth the invest-
begins on 132nd street on
dured at the hands of the
ment.
Liberty Ave and concludes at
king. The annual celebration
Most of the dyes used are
Smokey Park on 125th Street
keeps alive the triumph of
easily washed away with a
and Atlantic Avenue.
good over evil.
good bath or two. Your
It is a very vibrant celebra-
Abeer, which is a red dye, is
clothing might be a different
tion where various colored
popular and traditionally
story as it takes several
dyes, powers and perfumes
used to celebrate the festivi-
washes to get them clean if
are used to rub or throw on
ties. It symbolizes the blood
at all.
each other.
of the king that was shed so
So don’t come with your
Check out the GCA Summer Events
It is a festival celebrates that
the people could be free.
best outfit.
on pg.6
triumph of good over evil.
The parade extends about 4-
Specifically, in Hindu lore,
5 hours and begins around
Aal Baady,Waan Bady. Preserve,Promote, Propagate Guyanese Creativity.
Scenes from GCA Summer Events
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V o lu me 1 , Is su e 1
Page 5
GCA Folk and Culture
CONGRATULATIONS TENNICIA ! Congratulations to GCA’s award winner, Tennicia De Freitas, who once again showed her nettle, copping second place in the 2011 Mashramini Junior Calypso Monarch competition. Nineteen-year old De Freitas upped her social commentary to beat out 12 other competitors with her calypso “ Can’t Take It No More” to cement her place in history. The talented young artist, also won the Health Song Calypso title, in the Ministry of Health contest, and snagged first in the Berbice Calpyso sing off. Last year the up and coming artiste captured the attention of the world with her “I don’t want to be born” to win the top spot in the Junior Monarch contest. De Freitias, who expressed her disappointment that she could not attend GCA’s 2010 awards ceremony at Brooklyn Borough Hall to accept her award, thanked the Awards committee for the honor bestowed on her and promised to continue to succeed at her craft. DeFreitas is a three-time teen calypso winner at the national level who while attending Christ Church Secondary School in Georgetown, was encouraged by her headmistress to enter her first competition. With Kross Kolor Records by her side, the songstress wants to continue to make a difference in the lives of other young people as she sets her sights on obtaining a scholarship to further her
Check out GCA
career in music.
Mother’s Day
Good luck Tennicia
Dinner Theatre Pg 7
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GCA Folk and Culture
V o lu me 1 , Is su e 1
GCA Summer Events Calendar WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011
SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2011
GCA AWARDS CEREMONY
SYMPOSIUM
FOLK FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER
6.00 p.m. sharp - 9:00 p.m.
Mother’s Day Dinner Theatre
Brooklyn Borough Hall
Columbia University, TC. EdZone
“Celebrating Outstanding Guyanese Women of Courage and Vision”
209 Joralemon St. Brooklyn, NY 11209
THEIR WORK, ENERGY & SPIRIT St. Stephen’s Auditorium 2806 Newkirk Ave, Bklyn, NY
First Moon-light Night in
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2011 FOLK FESTIVAL FAMILY FUN DAY
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2011
11.00 A.M. - 8.00 P.M.
KWE KWE NITE
( VENUE TO BE ANNOUNCED)
St. Stephens Auditorium 2806 Newkirk Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
JUNE, 2011
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER, 2011 Folk Festival (in Guyana)
"Storytelling"
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2011
Collaboration between GCA & Brooklyn Arts Council
GCA LITERARY HANG
VENUE TO BE ANNOUNCED
"Conversations on a Summer Sunday Afternoon"
JULY - AUGUST, 2011
Interviews, readings, performances, and discussions with six authors
( DATE & VENUE TO BE ANNOUNCED)
GCA SUMMER HERITAGE CAMP Arts in the Community (DATE AND VENUE TO BE ANNOUNCED)
SUMMER, 2011 ART EXHIBITION
Launch of "Tastes Like Home: My Caribbean Cookbook" by Cynthia Nelson’s The Gardens, St. John's Episcopal Church 139 St. John's Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217
(DATE AND VENUE TO BE ANNOUNCED)
Tastes Like Home: My Caribbean Cookbook –Cynthia Nelson Cynthia Nelson’s new book
ciation wherever it is
Tastes Like Home: My Carib-
launched in the Caribbean.
bean Cookbook, which cele-
The book was sold out.in
brates Caribbean cuisine and
Guyana,
in the process shines a spot-
An event to launch Tastes
light on
Like Home: My Caribbean
Guyana’s significant contri-
Cookbook in New York.
butions to this influential global taste culture.
Date to be announced.
The book is being received with enthusiasm and appre6
Page 6
Chuckle Comedy Corner A Guyanese man received a returned check from his bank marked "Insufficient Funds," He called the bank and asked if they meant him or the bank?
A headline in one of the local Guyana newspapers read "Gold Miners refused to work After Death" I wonder who was the editor?
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Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Sponsors of Guyana Folk Festival
Aal Baady Waan Baady
GUYANA CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK, INC. 1368 E. 89 STREET SUITE 2, BROOKLYN, NY 11236 TEL: 718-209-5207 A 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION Email: info@guyfolkfest.org www.guyfolkfest.org
Aal Baady,Waan Baady. Preserve,Promote,Propagate Guyanese Creativity.
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