Hits and Jams is 400 strong
Stabroek News
February 21, 2004
Linking up: Revellers from the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T) will be mashing with the Hits and Jams "Unification" Mash Band on February 23 under the theme "Linking Guyana with the world". The company launched its costume band last Thursday a
The Hits and Jams Mash Camp has grown over the past month and come Monday the group's contingent of more than 400 revellers will take to the streets.
By far the largest number to revel in celebrations this year the group will include staff of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Banks DIH Ltd and the New Thriving Restaurant along with several overseas-based Guyanese.
The band which is Hits and Jams' second project for the February 23 celebrations was launched last October under the theme, 'Unification'.
Dubbed the "stress free" Mash band at the launching, the cost of the costume includes a generous package covering meals and free entry into pre-Mashramani activities.
Having surpassed expectations and underestimated the demands for its costumes, Hits and Jams pulled the plug on all orders declaring that they are now sold out.
Promoter Rawle Ferguson told Stabroek News that the group had hoped for a number close to 300 revellers, adding that the current figure is not what they had in mind. Though the aim of the early launching was to draw participation from the private sector, the group did not plan on outfitting 400 people. The increased numbers is a boost from the first Mash camp, which attracted some 200 revellers.
According to Ferguson, the package they offered proved tempting and people were eager to jump on board. In addition, the exotic costumes are eye-catching. The much-talked-about costumes are the vision of local girl Nadia Thomas-Winter. The up-and-coming designer, who recently graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Guyana (UG), is the creative eye behind the pieces.
She said that using the band's five basic colours gold, blue, red, black and white she created costumes illustrating the unity and diversity of the Guyanese people.
Now the official designer of Hits and Jams, Thomas-Winter said she acquired materials for the costumes from Trinidad and Tobago and the United States. The leatherette and beads were purchased in Trinidad and the feathers came from the US. For finishing touches, she purchased tibisiri and trimmings here in Guyana.
Thomas-Winter pointed out that the private sector is mashing under different themes within the group theme, 'Unification'. The Ministry of Tourism costumes will depict 'The Canje Pheasant', 'The Cock of the Rock', and 'The Golden Frog'. The group's colours are orange, blue and gold.
GT&T's costumes will depict 'Telephone linking', Banks DIH's portrays Coca Cola and New Thriving Restaurant's Mash theme is in keeping with the Year of the Monkey.
With hopes of claiming both Mash King and Queen titles, Hits and Jams will outfit a GT&T King and a Ministry of Tourism Queen. Thomas who is tasked with designing the King's costume said she will create a unique piece that is sure to turn heads.
Working on a tight schedule Thomas-Winter is creating some 40 costumes per day. And though there is no real pressure to finish before the big day she is a bit uneasy that Guyanese might find some fault.
The young designer had also worked with the promotion group on the Miss Jamzone Beach Pageants. In addition, she has outfitted the staff of the Ministry of Culture for Mashramani during her years at the Burrowes School of Arts. (Iana Seales)