GCA opens summer camp, kicks-off annual folk festival
By Tangerine Clarke
A sun-drenched July 5 day
combined with the spacious
grounds of Canarsie Park,
Brooklyn, was a fitting combination
for parents and supporters
to enjoy, as children ages
4-16, registered for the 2021
Summer Heritage Workshop
Series, (SWS), organized by the
Guyana Cultural Association
NY, Inc.
The camp will run until Aug.
13, in a daily hybrid setting —
virtual and in-person — and
extended over borders.
The arts in the community
initiative, will teach music,
dance, arts and craft, performing
arts, storytelling and
S.T.E.A.M., Monday – Friday,
from 9 am – 5 pm, and include
students from Joshua House,
and St. Ann’s orphanages, Guyana,
who will join the virtual
sessions.
Vice President, Edgar Henry
praised the progress of the
summer camp, noting that
there has been movement from
student, to intern, to instructor,
seen in this year’s program.
Other instructors will come
from across the US, and as far
away as Japan, Trinidad, and
Guyana.
After the children leave the
camp setting, Henry said, the
organization assists alums
who aspire to a career in the
Arts, and STEAM. The 2021
SWS will also produce a string
band, made up of campers who
participated in the music program.
Executive Director Claire
Ann Goring, who has served
21 years leading the cultural
aspects of the organization, has
announced that Clive Prowell is
the new cultural director, while
always in the moment™
Caribbean L 16 ife, JULY 9-15, 2021
discussing the 2020/21 agenda.
She said GAC hosted its
events virtually during the
2020 Pandemic, determined
not to miss a beat, carrying on
its signature events. The Summer
Workshop Series, Kwe Kwe
Night, Family Day and Symposium
& Literary Hang, were
hosted so that patrons were not
deprived of their culture that is
very important to them, said
Goring.
“This year we have the
opportunity in some places to
go back to in-person events.”
However, a few others will be
streamed to keep the group’s
young audience engaged and
exposed to the Guyanese culture.
She said the programs would
not have been possible, without
the contributions of members,
noting that GCA mourned
the loss of Billy Braithwaite,
a staunch supporter, camp
instructor Mrs. Wharton, family
members and affiliates who lost
loved ones during the Coronavirus
pandemic.
“We are thankful to be here”
she said, and applauded members
for their resilience and
commitment to upholding their
culture, while keeping their
flag flying high. “We are here
21 years because of them,” she
shared.
She acknowledged immediate
past presidents, Dr. Vibert Cambridge,
Malcolm Hall, and Carol
Begot. The new executive board
members are: President Ava-
Marie Brewster Haynes, Vice
President, Edgar Henry, Secretary,
Jackie Newton, Asst. Secretary
Patricia Jordon-Langford,
Finance Secretary, Euston Stevens,
Assistant, Penny Bascom,
Board Member, Claire Patterson
Monah, and Asst. Cultural
Director, Dr. Rose October.
Other members are Dr. Juliet
Emanuel, director of SWS, Carl
Hazelwood, Donna Walcott,
Errol Doris, Maurice Blenman,
Francis Farrier, Alex Neptune,
Verna Walcott-White, Raul DeDliva,
Samuel Williams, Keith
Proctor, Mildred & Kevin Lowe,
and Marcia Gordon to name a
few. In Guyana: Margaret Lawrence,
and Desiree Edghill,
among others who will lead programs.
Guyanese-born Senator Roxanne
Persaud, in whose 19th
Senate District the day’s festivities
were held, said it was always
a pleasure to support GCA’s
endeavors.
She added that the virtual
events of 2020 were very well
conducted, in spite of COVID,
which did not take away from
anything, except for the social
distancing, that never prevented
attendees from having fun.
“That is what it’s was all
about, ensuring that the young
people understand the Guyanese
culture, that they will carry forward.
“That is what GCA is all
about, assured the Lawmaker,
who showed-off her Cricket
playing skills.
Camp Instructor, Adena Blenmon teaching a camper the
rules of a FunBash jumbo game. Photo by Tangerine Clarke
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