OUR DEAR MOTHERS WERE HONORED IN TRUE GT STYLE
BY TANGERINE CLARKE…

See photos here

Ten elegantly dressed mothers of the Guyanese community were escorted by Ashton Franklin, Roy Brummell and Maurice Blenman, during a procession, before being presented with red roses at the first ever Guyana Cultural Association’s Mother’s Day Dinner Theatre, in Brooklyn.

The beautifully decorated St. Stevens Church hall welcomed the women of courage and vision, on May 8, where they handed innovative plagues – a painting of flowers and inspiring words on canvas – specially crafted by artist, and Cultural Director, Claire A. Goring.

New York City Councilmember of the 45th Council District of Brooklyn, the Honorable Jumanne Williams, also acknowledged the outstanding contributions made by the mothers, and sent them Citations.

The mothers then enjoyed an exceptional cultural presentation steeped in Guyanese traditional motherhood.

Set against GCA’s 10th Anniversary banner emblazoned with this season’s theme: "Aal bady Waan bady” Dr. Juliet Emanuel brought into focus, the extra ordinary fulfillment these daughters of the soil have given to the community over many years.

Emanuel praised the women as natural gifts with power to create, overcome and transform, “They trust their wisdom, and with body and spirit they find their way in the dark”

Rose October-Edun in turn, celebrated the matriarchs with poetry that called out the names of the honorees with beauty.

“If I were to stand on top of Mount Roraima and raise my voice in praise of the women of Guyana who have worked through their lives not for themselves but for the very life of all Guyanese who would I sing my praises to, I could quote all the names, Yes but where do I begin.

“Maybe if I were to call out their names from the top of Mount Ayanganna, while the moon is shining bright, Pat (Jordan-Langford), Norma, (Clarke) Joyce, (Chase) Shanie, (Persaud) Pauline, (Bishop) Pamela, (Mckenzie) Lorna, (Welshman-Neblett) Rosalind, (October), Joyce, (Chase), Mildred, (Forde) Evelyn, (John).

The mothers were then entertained with an interpretive dance by October-Edun that referred to them as “Phenomenal Women”.

Bobby Vieira, and Edgar Henry lifted up the women with praise, as members Ave Marie Brewster, Muriel Glasgow, Verna Walcott-White and Tangerine Clarke, acted out methods Guyanese mothers used to give their children a good upbringing, during a skit written by Claire A. Goring.

Little Claudius Agrippa presented a moving violin serenade to honor the mothers, while Impressions Theatre paid tribute in dance. The evening was topped with Rudy Bishop’s Chronicle Atlantic Steel Orchestra, and Jennifer Feriera’s musical homage, at GCA’s first ever mother’s day event.

The evening ended in a high note with a showcase of hats presented by milliner of Malchijah Hats in Brooklyn.

The GCA/Folk Festival season kicks off in June 2011. To learn more log on to www.guyfolkfest.org

Mother's Day Photo Gallery
All photos: By Taylor Lewis

Ashton Franklin escorts Patricia Jordon-Langford	Claudette October being escorted by Ashton Franklin to accept plaque on behalf of her mother Rosalind October	Shanie Persaud
Pauline Bishop being escorted by Roy Brummell	Jennifer Farriera with a musical tribute	Patricia Jordan-Langford
Shanie Persaud thank you speech	Ms. Forde for her mother Mildtrd Forde	Counsul general of St. Lucia join Shanie Persaud, family and Leland Hazelwood for a pic

Joy Ford and Forde Beauty queen being escorted by Ashton Franklin	Honorees being toasted at Mother's Day event
Verna, Tangerine Muriel, Ave Marie and Rose in play written by Claire A. Goring	Rose October-Edun
Rose October-Edun performing phenomenal woman	Tangerine, Muriel, Ave Marie and Verna
Impressions Dance Theatre	Awardees at the head table
Ms. October on behalf of Rosalind October	Norma Clarke accepts her plaque from Keith Proctor
Patricia Jordan-Langford from Keith Proctor	Patricia Jordan-Langford accepts plaque from musician Keith Proctor
Lorna Welshman-Neblett from Edgar Henry	Shanie Persaud from Edgar Henry
Ms. Forde and queen from Keith Proctor	Ave Marie Burster, for Ev. Evelyn John accepting from Keith Proctor
Models Verna, Sandra,Rose, Jamie Tangerine Beverly and Michelle in Hats by Malchijah Hats of Brooklyn	Mothers show off their plaques. From left Norma Clarke, Pauline Bishop, Patricia Jordan- Langford, Lorna Welshman-Neblett, Pamela McKenzie, Joy Forde for Mildred Forde

Impressions Dance Theatre