Guyanese revellers for Caribana
GUYANESE revellers, led by businessman Mr. Don Gomes, will be part of the glitz and glamour of the 32nd `Caribana' festival in Toronto, Canada, billed for later this month. The annual celebration, which was launched on July 15 at the Nathan Phillips Square, in Canada, will wind down on August 1 and 2 with a Caribbean cultural feast of local and international soca, reggae, calypso and steel pan artistes, including dance, comedy, arts and crafts. The highlight is the Caribana Parade on July 31 along CNE/Lakeshore Boulevard. This 3.6 kilometre `street party' is expected to feature thousands of glittering masqueraders, all of whom will be competing for the title of `Band of the Year'. Mr Don Gomes, in collaboration with Borokeete Canada and Guyana Airways 2000, has planned to cater for 100 Guyanese, all of whom will be decked out in `El Dorado' costumes while gyrating with the Borokeete band. Guyana's band has been placed second on the Caribana parade, thereby, commanding maximum attention. Mr. Danny Doobay, Guyana's Consulate in Canada, is among those making arrangements for a successful Caribana. The local Jahrusalem band, already in Canada, will accompany the Guyanese contingent. Gomes, remembered for his controversial display during the last Mashramani celebrations, will mount his pet dog in sunglasses and costume, on top of a truck beside a Guyanese woman waving this country's flag. The Borokeete Canada band, entitled `Mas - Beyond Your Imagination', is based on fantasy and will have eight sections such as Tribal Fantasy, Aurora, Celestial Purity, Flamboyance, Sovereign and `El Dorado', which has been named the Guyanese segment. Guyana Airways 2000 is offering special packages for the visiting Guyanese posse and media representatives. Gomes believes that Caribana provides an opportunity for Guyana to gain a lot of exposure and attract more tourists for Mashramani 2000. According to him, those Toronto-based Guyanese are likely to add to the spirit, colour and splendour of local events. Among the activities planned for Caribana are the Canadian Soca Monarch competition; Pan Trinbago Panorama; Junior Mas competition; Calypso Queen and Monarch competition; an arts and cultural festival and a Caribana Masquerade Ball. Persons desirous of participating in Caribana must enlist at Don Gomes Optical Services, in Thomas Street, Georgetown, as early as possible.
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