' Shape' show speaks volumes
Stabroek News
April 14, 2007
Tickets for the Banks DIH/Shape 2000 promotion bought patrons the opportunity to see and hear from some of the best regional homogenous work as part of a package intended to add to the entertainment of ICC CWC 2007 cricket fans.
Promoted under the theme 'Fun, Food and Fashion Fiesta' at Thirst Park, it was originally set for March 27 to April 8 but actually got off the ground on Saturday March 31 because bad weather had flooded the ground and continued on April 4 and 8.
It offered for $6,000 VAT inclusive, an environment characterized by the tassa and congo strains of the Dubraj Drummers as well as pan sounds from Parkside Steel Orchestra. A selection of mouth-watering dishes included foods traditionally prepared by the six ethnic groups that make up the Guyanese experience, such as pepper-pot, roti and curry, black pudding, peas and rice among several others.
The National School of Dance offered a number of compositions that if not revolutionary still worked to entertain the eyes.
Along with music and dance, Donna Ramsammy-James put more life into the programme with her clothing line called 'Colours of the Caribbean'. Her designs were set as the headlining segment of the live performance pieces of the event.
The three performances called the 'Shape Souvenir Selection 2007', 'Mother Earth' and 'Guyana and Beyond' saw over 500 designs showcased. 'Mother Earth' showcased blacks, browns and whites as a representation of the earth colours. 'Guyana and Beyond' saw the expression of the designer's vision of futuristic fashion trends.
Presenting some 158 gowns that required 60-second change sequences, and 73 shades of colour using 12 basic cuts 'Shape Souvenir' was indeed able to achieve the objective of capturing the vivid Caribbean potpourri of shades. Donna emphasized regular sizes and shapes by using non-traditional models, who she considered to represent every day people and not the svelte figures usually employed for such purposes.
The clothing was an array of emerald hues designed to mimic the freestyle motion of the butterfly, followed by a collection of gowns with varying hues of pink, green, and yellow. Models danced as they glided around the area designated and prepared for the show with decorative plants that added to the illusion of birds and bees flitting among the flora and fauna of Guyana's untouched nature reserves.