M to put on world-class programme for cricket carnival
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he entertainers to r show for the ght at the cricket r. carnival I want a
night to be dedicated to Guyana … and that night belongs to you. I want you guys to sit down and come up with a world-class programme. You will come up with the budget, the best songs, the best beat, the best anybody will see in entertainment but what I want is a stage that sells Guyana, promotes Guyana, promotes you and advances your careers.
“Once you do this right and build a Guyana night that is spectacular we are going to send this across every single network across the Caribbean and then we are going to build this unique One Guyana platform and we will be taking it to the diaspora…it must be so powerful that people must want it there [and] this is in your hands,” he said.
Ali told the performers that the government will make all of the
investment and secure sponsorship for the Guyana night and the revenue earned will go to the creative sector. He also committed his government’s support for the development of the arts noting that they would be bringing in consultants and international artists to help the locals.
The meeting served as a way for the artistes to proffer ideas for the advancement of the sector. They called on the government to invest in the acquisition of state-of-the-art sound, video and lighting equipment to enhance the production quality while also highlighting the dire need for a comprehensive creative arts training institute.
The lack of resources in the creative sphere dominated the discussion between the President and performers.
The National Dance Company
called for more to be done in the costume department lamenting that their costumes are decades old. Additionally, they called for more dance training so that they can improve their craft. The National Dance Company has been accused of performing the same set at all the national events for a number of years now.
The need for school choirs was also identified. The idea of a national choir was also floated for national events.
President Ali said that the government will be launching a National School Choir Championship in August which will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
Ali’s commitment to the creative sector comes against the backdrop of
criticism of Minister of Culture Charles Ramson after reports of a more than 600% hike in some rental fees for the National Cultural Centre – Guyana’s premier theatre location.
Based on the recommended rates, rental of the entire theatre would be pegged at $500,000 per event (an increase from $80,000), the lower auditorium is now $250,000 (it was approximately $50,000), and the 500 seats recital hall $175,000. Additionally, persons would have to pay $50,000 per day for rehearsals along with a 20% service charge on all ticket sales plus 14% VAT.
Ramson has also been criticised by members of the arts community over denial of access to the National Cultural Centre for the hosting of shows.