The Rotary Club of Georgetown held its annual International Bar at thirst Park on Saturday, September 22nd. This event was well supported by Guyanese from all walks of life. The environment was wonderful and inviting; the entertainment was excellent and there was no shortage of food and drinks for the many persons present. The organizers covered almost every hiccup with thorough planning and experience gained over the years. There were two mobile ticket booths located just outside the entrance; this served to deter the usual bootleg ticket vendors such big events attract. The security was tight as was expected. Males and females entered the ground separately and were searched by GEB security officers equipped with metal detectors. This was done to prevent the entry of firearms and other weapons unto the premises. There is a small walkway leading to the ground. Patrons used this walkway to have their tickets punched by Rotary Club members seated just inside the park. This served to prevent a backup of persons at the main entrance, allowing the free flow of persons onto the ground.
Immediately upon entering the ground it was clear that this was a major and very successful event. If you are familiar with the size of Thirst Park, you know that it would take quite a crowd to full it; the Rotary Club pulled this accomplished this effortlessly. The crowd consisted primarily of young people. There was a “liming” atmosphere near the entrance to the ground where many persons were engaged in hearty conversation, while others played the various games available. The older patrons were found in the section directly in front of the stage. This section was furnished with chairs and tables to allow comfort while enjoying the live entertainment offered. There was no shortage of activities for the attendees. There were several game booths that afforded persons the opportunity to win prizes. In addition to the games, there were food booths set up around the perimeter of the ground so that regardless of one’s location, food was never far away. These booths sold a mind-boggling variety of dishes. There was food to satisfy every taste, craving and eating habit. The only persons who faced any kind of problem were those who eat pretty much everything. For these, deciding what to get first and what looked and smelt best, was quite a task. The drinks bars were well stocked and offered a variety of beverages, catering to everyone’s preference.
The evening’s entertainment was rich, and every item was well executed. The event was used as a platform to display Guyanese talent as all performances by local artistes who represented both themselves and our entertainment industry very well. The main performances were by the various dance schools and groups found in Guyana. The dances were choreographed to some of today’s hottest dancehall, R&B, hip hop and soul selections. This highlighted not only skill, but versatility on the part of instructors as well as students. There was a comedy segment done by Mr. Kirk Jardine a.k.a. CHOW POW. He was very well received. The originality and hilarity of his jokes caught the attention of those persons who were not even paying attention to the stage initially. International Bar has become a calendar event for Guyanese of all ages.
The Rotary Club of Georgetown must be congratulated on a job well done. If you missed it this year, you missed a great time as well as the opportunity to enjoy a variety of quality Guyanese entertainment and cuisine.
by Andrew Ross