guyana

Maypole

24 Sep: Maypole Plaiting – Have You Ever Danced the Dance?

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of watching the young women of St. Albans Episcopal Church perform the Maypole dance at the annual Guyana Folk Festival held in Brooklyn, NY.   I remember doing this as a little girl growing up in Guyana dressed up in frilly dresses and socks with colorful hair bows, as we danced and weaved the ribbons to the sound of music. Watching this recreated many, many years later brought back sweet memories. A maypole is a tall…

The Slipper

20 Sep: GGR Book Club: The Slipper – by Amanda Sohan

The Slipper is a classic tale of love and loss portrayed in the most unconventional style. Included are lovable, colorful characters such as Meetu, Vishnu, maa and baap who’s humor infuses a serious subject matter in a very unique, warm and touching manner. What happens when a headstrong teen falls for an unsuitable suitor? What becomes of her future when her strict parents desire another path? And what ensues years later when Meetu’s past catches…

I Want To Live Again

17 Sep: GGR Book Club: I Want to Live Again by Queen Hadassah

“I Want to Live Again” is about a woman’s struggle to make it in America after immigrating from Guyana in South America. It deals with issues which she had to overcome to survive in Brooklyn,New York. The stories are all true but names have been changed to protect the identities of relatives and close friends. The events take place in urban settings and they are not typical of all immigrants. The book shows that anyone…

Danielle Blaq

11 Sep: GGR Book Club: Poetry Collection Based On A Love Story by Danielle Blaiq

Writing poetry and short stories since the tender age of 7 years old, aspiring music artist Danielle BlaiQ opens her private collection of heartfelt expression to the world in Based On A Love Story. Best described as ‘love at first sight for the heart and mind’, this collection of poetry unfolds revealing the beautiful imperfections found in a young woman on her journey to defining womanhood. Honored for her lyrical illustrations, bold reflections, and vulnerable…

The Storm Within

10 Sep: GGR Book Club: The Storm Within: An Anthology by C Nadya Agard

ABOUT THE BOOK:  The Storm Within is a collection of poems that touch on various life themes. The emotional drama of life is expressed in themes ranging from romantic love to love of God and includes others such as joy, rejection,pain, childhood, parenthood, and emotional turmoil. The work is titled after one of the poems in the book. It was chosen because the book reflects life as it is often experienced, but rarely expressed—life as…

09 Sep: GGR Book Club: Walk Wit’ Me . . .: All Ova Guyana by Helena Martin

My memoir is laced with nostalgia and at the same time it is my sincere intention to portray the true essence of the Guyanese culture without offence. Keep in mind that this is not based on the experience of every Guyanese. This was the way I saw and experienced things back then. The use of colloquialism is of utmost importance; it is the vernacular we understand. It may sound like another language so unless you…

Lakshmee Singh

04 Sep: She Rocks! Lakshmee Singh: Actress, Television Show Producer and Talk Show Host

Lakshmee Singh is a well known talk show host and producer of the popular “Let’s Talk with Lakshmee” show.  The  multitalented TV personality is also a dancer, actress, community worker, choreographer and has been in the public eye since the age of five.  Lakshmee has performed for large audiences at prestigious venues such as Westbury Music Fair and The Continental Arena. She has taught and coached many groups of young girls for stage performances. Lakshmee’s first acting experience was…

Shyko.1

31 Aug: She Rocks! Meet Shyko Amos – Award Winning Stage and Television Actress

Shyko Amos is an OBIE winning actress with Guyanese roots who is known for her performances in  Tell You Something (2015), One Small Step for Melvin (2014) and 3-C (Three-C) (2012).  She has performed in theatres all over the world from South Africa to Paris and New York appearing on Televion for the BBC and TROUBLE TV. Originally from the UK, at age 15 Shyko began her career at the prestigious National Youth Music Theatre of Great Britain.  She has a…

Topaz-Sampson

27 Aug: She Rocks! Recent Med School Graduate, Topaz Sampson, is close to her dream of practicing Medicine

Recent medical school graduate, Topaz Sampson, is very close to accomplishing her dream of practicing Medicine. A New Amsterdam native, Topaz was part of the graduating Class of 2015 at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, and is scheduled to begin residency training at Baylor College of Medicine. While in medical school Topaz was appointed 2014 President of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), the oldest and largest student-run organization focused on the needs and concerns…

Simone Dowding

24 Aug: Stories We Love: Award-winning Guyanese Actress Simone Dowding is a force to be reckoned with…

Born under the Zodiac star of Leo,  Actress Simone Dowding attended the Salem Primary and Secondary schools, where her love for the stage was noticed by teachers and peers alike. In no time she had become quite a force to be reckoned with, as she participated in numerous school plays and drama presentations with gusto, finesse and bravery. Being an artistic person, she attended and graduated from the Burrowes School of Art with flying colours…