Culture Box

With the exception of gospel shows, how many family concerts have been staged in Guyana in the last five years? Just how many concerts have there been with something for all ages that the entire family can enjoy together? As far as we can recall, none. But guess what, all of that has changed with the recent Calypso Fury Concert that ran for three nights and from the huge support it received, it is something that Guyanese would like to have more of.
This was not a concert with just the dub, hip hop and reggae beats or with people running around the stage like they are `high’ screaming into the microphone in their hand, and sometimes using the foulest language imaginable. And oh yes, a crowd numbering several hundred packed into a ground, all dressed up, bottles of alcoholic beverages in hand, trying to move to the tunes. No, this concert was all about parents, children, even grandparents, getting all dressed up, sitting in a relaxed atmosphere – the National Cultural Centre – and being truly entertained.

One of the noticeable sights at the show was seeing several members of an extended family, numbering about seven, strolling down the aisle to find their seats – the children chatting excitedly and loudly among themselves while the adults tried their best to calm them down.

For many in the audience this first-of-a-kind family show gave them a chance to spend some quality time with their loved ones sharing a reasonably wide repertoire of the arts. There was something for everyone during the three-hour show; dancing, singing, sleight of hand tricks, comical actions and acrobatics much to the delight of those gathered.
It was the sort of thing Guyanese families were not accustomed to and it was refreshing. The enjoyment was evident in the faces of the audience and the applause the performers received.

Every once in a while a circus would come to these shores, so you would get the acrobatic acts and the tricks. But the Calypso Fury Concert presented the entire package and brought with it a whole new meaning of family entertainment to Guyana.

That the show was well attended allows us to conclude that patrons did not mind paying $1,200 or $1,500 per seat.

Many left the NCC with that one question burning in the back of their minds “When again? “. A question that cannot easily be answered. (thescene@stabroeknews.com)