Local Talent Fiesta Auditions underway
– ‘Guyana certainly has talent’
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, January 11, 2020
The Golden Republic Jubilee Youth Village opened its door on Saturday afternoon for young people of various cultural and creative backgrounds when it hosted ‘Talent Fiesta’ auditions at Umana Yana.
The tryouts featured individual and group performances, offering a variety in gender, age and race, and in talent – singing, dancing, and poetry.
Adeti DeJesus, Senior Research Planning and Development Officer, attached to the Department of Youth and Ministry of the Presidency, expressed the importance of the auditions.
“It allows us to see performances from persons whether its singing, dancing, drama, poetry [or] spoken word. It gives us an indication of what is the local talent available and to make a selection from here for our local talent fiesta,” DeJesus explained.
The ‘Local Talent Fiesta’ is one of the activities planned for the Golden Republic Jubilee Youth Village, expected to commence on January 24 – 25.
DeJesus told DPI that the auditions are not only limited to a live performance. “…of course, young people have an opportunity to do videos and submit to the Department of Youth’s Facebook page, and we will have the judges assess those performances as well.”
Judges were selected based on their expertise in dance, song and poetry.
DeJesus found the auditions refreshing and entertaining. “I am grateful for this event because it provides an opportunity, a platform for young people to come and exhibit their talents.”
Krystal Adams, Priya Seepaul, and Lynn Ronnkvist represented the Enigma Dance Studios. Ronnkvist, the founder and instructor of the group, said that their performance reflected Guyanese steel pan, contemporary and hip-hop music.
“We are very happy to be here today. It gives us the importunity to not only showcase what we are working on, but we get a chance to push our new project called ‘Dougla.’ It is a depiction of our Guyanese heritage, our socio-cultural backgrounds, stemming from indentureship to slavery and to present day.”
Ronnkvist, who has been dancing for fifteen years, is hopeful that Enigma Dance Studios will be selected to perform at the ‘Local Talent Fiesta’ in two weeks – their piece will reflect the Guyanese culture and socio-cultural heritage.
Auditions will also be held at Lichas Hall, Linden on January 17, and Multilateral Secondary, Berbice, the following day.