Cultural Awards for Guyanese as Folk Festival Kicks Off
By Allison Skeete
Keith Waithe performs with Akoyaw RudderBrooklyn, NY: Friday, Sept. 4, 2009 - The Guyana Cultural Association of New York held its 2009 annual Folk Festival Awards Wednesday night. Four honorees with contributions to the development and celebration of Guyanese Food, Fashion and Art received honors which recognized their individual achievements and the goodwill of a business committed to the community. GCA president, Malcolm Hall also received a surprise award from Borough President Marty Markowitz as did each of the nights’ honorees. They awardees were also given honors by City Councilman Mathieu Eugene of the 40th District in Brooklyn.
The 2009 GCA winners were Magda Lois Muriel Pollard, known for her work at the Carnegie School long revered for its high standards of Home Economics and Etiquette teachings in Guyana. She received the Wordsworth McAndrew Lifetime Achievement Award.
Donna Ramsammy-James, reknowned for eclectic yet earthy fashion flare, made her first trip to New York in eight years and thrilled the award ceremony attendees with a sneak peak at her upcoming fashion line for 2010 which will be launched in October 2009.
Former Guyana President Janet Jagan was posthumously awarded the Guyana Cultural Association Award; Guyana’s Consulate General the Honorable Brentnol Evans accepted on behalf of the Jagan Family and Western Union Company also received The Guyana Cultural Association Award for its support to the Guyanese community.
The 2009 GCA winners were Magda Lois Muriel Pollard, known for her work at the Carnegie School long revered for its high standards of Home Economics and Etiquette teachings in Guyana. She received the Wordsworth McAndrew Lifetime Achievement Award.
Donna Ramsammy-James, reknowned for eclectic yet earthy fashion flare, made her first trip to New York in eight years and thrilled the award ceremony attendees with a sneak peak at her upcoming fashion line for 2010 which will be launched in October 2009.
Former Guyana President Janet Jagan was posthumously awarded the Guyana Cultural Association Award; Guyana’s Consulate General the Honorable Brentnol Evans accepted on behalf of the Jagan Family and Western Union Company also received The Guyana Cultural Association Award for its support to the Guyanese community.
Above: Donna Ramsammy-James 2010 Designs; Center: Roger Gary Design & Bottom: Michelle Cole Design
Colorful arrays of fashions were displayed by Guyanese designers, Roger Gary, award winner Donna Ramsammy-James and Michelle Cole; GCA members shared the runway with models to showcase the creative talent. The crowd was also treated to a violin solo by 9 year old Claudias Agrippa, his performance incited ovations and noted musician Keith Waithe personally acknowledging his talent before his own outstanding flute performance; he was accompanied by drummer Akoyaw Rudder. The youths of Chronicle Atlantic Steelband entertained throughout the night and young Soca/Reggae artist Eddie Neblett closed the night singing his current hit Unity.The awards ceremony kicked off the celebration of Guyanese heritage which continues tonight with its Kwe-Kwe celebration, Art Exhibition tomorrow and culminates on Sunday with a Family Day picnic at the Meyer Levin Intermediate School on Ralph & Tilden Avenues in Flatbush, Brooklyn. See the website for details http://www.guyfolkfest.org/
I had a great evening.
ReplyDelete