Accolade Awards

Within a matter of days the much anticipated inaugural music awards of Guyana- Accolade is set to unfold and much glitz and glamour is promised for the history making event.

Kwame McKoy the event's director says plans are well advanced and a 30ft X 70ft Red Carpet is due to arrive in the country this weekend from the USA.

He says everyone is in a hyped mood especially the performers and the nominees.

Mc Koy is promising a package that features nerve-wrecking performances for the awards ceremony and at the after party at which VIP's will have the opportunity of interacting with performing artistes both local and international as well as with the nominees and award winners in the roof garden of the National Cultural Centre.

The event will feature performances by US based singer, Pamela Maynard; Barbados based soca sensation Don Trent along with his manager Valerie Greaves, Lady Ira and her Manger and DJ Prakz.

The local artistes carded to perform are reigning road March queen Michelle 'Big Red' King, Timeka Marshall, CArib Chutney queen Girlee Persaud, Rajesh Dubraj and gospel singers Cheryl Maloney, Mariam Williams and Eddy Neblet.

Ticket sales are going well, and Guyanese are being encouraged to avoid the last minute rush to secure their ticket to the event.

McKoy says based on interactions and enquiries "the show is a big thing on people's minds. They are talking about getting the right outfits to have the red carpet experience etc."

However while there has been some complaints about the pricing for tickets McKoy said that the idea is to  raise the bar for  local  artistes   so that  people will stop seeing them as walk over  because  they are local. People pay to see international starts perform and some are nothing to scream about and we have artistes who are equally if not more talented and have better performances."

In addition he said lucky person who purchase tickets with the 50 lucky numbers will each win a free extra ticket.

Recording the event for posterity will be Hype TV and Music Media and an overseas based entertainment group will also be here to spot individual talent.

Over all the show will last about 2 – 2½ hours and will be aimed at honoring the works of Guyanese musicians and stake holders of the industry. "It will bring celebrities in the entertainment field together for a lifetime experience," MCKoy assured.   

The event will further feature interviews on the red carpet from 17:00 hrs then into the cocktail session and Mckoy says the décor will complement the red carpet inclusive of new chandeliers to be installed to boost lighting effect.  
Speaking of voting he said that it is proceeding impressively with much public enthusiasm to the point that even the church is involved but he expressed the belief that voting could be intensified.

(Mondale Smith)