The unexpected closure of the Upscale Restaurant at Hincks Street, Georgetown last July left many artists without a venue for their venting, but General Manager Asafa George said there are plans to resuscitate poetry nights this year.
After being in operation for more than a decade, Upscale closed its doors and George said this was a result of it having operated at a loss for the past couple of years.
Upscale was one of the few businesses that actively supported artists in Guyana. The restaurant held poetry nights on the first Tuesday of every month and comedy night on the last Thursday of every month.
Shay Edwards a well-known poet who won the Upscale Poetry Slam Competition (UPSC) two years in a row, said, “Upscale was like a home away from home. I know it might sound clichéd, but it was….”
Edwards said the owners of Upscale made it the “house of poetry” without any thought of profit or fame.
She thanked the proprietors of Upscale, who she said were available to artists all the time.
She said also said that since winning the UPSC two years in a row many doors have been opened for her. Edwards has represented Guyana at the NGC Bocas Lit Fest in Trinidad and was also invited to an afro arts literary festival in Toronto, Canada.
Guyana Prize for Literature winner Mosa Telford said she was disappointed that Upscale closed its doors, because it was a breeding ground for a lot talented, unrecognised folks.
She said she believes it was because Upscale was located in the congested bus park area that it lost business.
Telford noted that Upscale had become a home for poets and that she missed poetry nights the most.
National Drama Festival, best director, Ayanna Waddell said while Upscale’s location was not ideal, once you got inside the atmosphere drew you in. Waddell also noted the welcoming customer service.
Waddell said poetry in Guyana is an area that is generally starved and Upscale was the best place for young budding poets to show their skills.
The director said even if they had inhibitions the atmosphere and vibe in Upscale would help to loosen them up and allow them to gain confidence.
“Now that such a beautiful space for poetry is gone, where will young Guyanese poets find the space to perform their pieces?” she asked.
George said the company which owned Upscale, W&T George Limited, was still very much committed to the arts and hopes to get poetry nights going once again early this year.
