AGP Executive Report

Diwali Celebrations: The Indian Commemoration Trust’s annual Diwali Mela brought live music, food, henna and crafts to Georgetown’s Indian Monument Gardens. Culture & Festivals: Mashramani 2027 will bring back Mash Night and the Masquerade Jamboree, with new attractions planned. The National Cultural Centre is also set for a $545.7 million facelift. Local Talent: Musician Mistic is Magnum Tonic Wine’s newest brand ambassador, while rapper cKush is expanding into construction and agro-processing. Sport: Guyanese Dillon Mahadeo and Jamie McDonald took third in doubles at Suriname’s HYROX event. Darthan Racing is targeting lap records and titles at the Caribbean Clash of Champions on October 31 and November 1.

Fitness: Guyanese duo Dillon Mahadeo and Jamie McDonald took third in doubles at Suriname’s HYROX competition, while solo athletes Thurston Pearce and Anatola Ramsarran also represented Guyana. Football: The 2026/27 Women’s Division One League is under way with 10 clubs, a six-month schedule and a $1 million top prize. Arts and Culture: Guyana plans a $545.7 million rehabilitation of the National Cultural Centre, upgrading its structure, dressing rooms and public facilities. Mashramani: New attractions are planned for 2027, as the Private Sector Commission says business support for Guyana’s culture should be judged by year-round contributions, not sponsorship of one event. Music and Creative Business: Rapper Kareem “cKush” Lewis is expanding into construction and agro-processing while promoting his music, and Jackie Jaxx has launched an online hub for music, art and apparel.

Women’s Football: The GFF has launched its 2026/27 Women’s Division One League, with 10 clubs competing over six months. The top prize is $1 million, and each club receives a $100,000 preparation grant. Caribbean Flavours: Guyanese bakers are among those expected at South Florida’s Rum Cake & Caribbean Black Cake Festival on November 15, showcasing recipes from more than 20 Caribbean countries and territories. Cultural Centre Upgrade: Guyana is seeking bids for a $545.7 million rehabilitation of the National Cultural Centre, including repairs and improvements to performers’ rooms and public facilities. Local Music: Singer Mistic is Magnum Tonic Wine’s newest brand ambassador, with appearances and promotional campaigns planned. Mashramani 2027: New attractions and returning favourites are in the works, as Culture Minister Charles Ramson Jr. urges businesses to invest more in the festival.

Cultural Centre: Guyana’s National Cultural Centre is slated for a $545.7 million rehabilitation, with planned repairs to structural cracks and upgrades to performers’ dressing rooms and public washrooms. Bids are due to open November 10. Music: Rising singer Mistic is Magnum Tonic Wine’s newest brand ambassador, with appearances, promotions and social media campaigns planned. Women’s Football: The 2026/27 Division One League is underway, with 10 clubs competing over six months and a $1 million top prize. Defending champions GDF FC are among the contenders.

Creative Commerce: A new Caribbean digital marketplace called C-Events aims to bring event ticketing, creative services, vendors and digital payments together, creating fresh business opportunities for performers, designers and promoters. National Cultural Centre: Guyana is seeking bids for a $545.7 million rehabilitation project to repair structural cracks and upgrade the country’s premier performing-arts venue. Women in Business: The Expo’s 10th anniversary wraps up today at the Pegasus, showcasing 30 women-led businesses alongside fashion displays and business-development sessions. Mashramani 2027: New attractions are planned, as Culture Minister Charles Ramson urges businesses to invest more in the national celebration.

Cultural Centre: The government is seeking bids for a $545.7 million rehabilitation of the National Cultural Centre, including repairs to structural cracks and upgrades to the exterior and interior. Women in Business: The Women in Business Expo marks its 10th anniversary at the Pegasus Hotel this weekend, with 30 entrepreneurs showcasing products, fashion and services, alongside sessions on using AI to reach customers. Mashramani: New attractions and returning favourites are planned for Mashramani 2027, as organisers urge businesses to invest more in the national celebration. Music and Enterprise: Rap artist Kareem “cKush” Lewis is expanding into construction and agro-processing, while Jackie Jaxx has launched an online hub for music, art and apparel.

Fashion & Enterprise: Designer Sonia Noel marks 30 years in fashion with the Women in Business Expo at Georgetown’s Pegasus on October 24–25. The event will offer participating women entrepreneurs AI training to help promote their businesses online. Mashramani: The 2027 programme adds Mash Night, a Masquerade Jamboree and pop-up concerts, alongside returning music competitions. Culture Minister Charles Ramson is urging companies to invest more in the festival. Guyanese Media: JTV reporter Cathy O. Richards, a Guyanese who has worked in the Virgin Islands for more than a decade, has been ordered to leave the territory following a conviction for using forged documents. Sport & Legacy: A new annual MVP award at the Kashif and Shanghai tournament will honour late footballer Neville “Zipper” Johnson. Guyana’s sports director also reaffirmed support for the Inter-Guiana Games, now underway in Suriname. Arts & Culture: Alliance Française’s new Georgetown facility is set to expand French classes for children and adults, with plans for music, film screenings and cultural events.

Football Legacy: The Kashif and Shanghai tournament has introduced an annual G$100,000 MVP award honouring former Guyana player Neville “Zipper” Johnson. Fashion & Business: Sonia Noel’s Women in Business Expo runs October 24–25 at the Pegasus, celebrating 30 years in fashion and a decade of the expo, with AI training for participating entrepreneurs. Mashramani 2027: New and returning attractions include Mash Night, a Masquerade Jamboree and pop-up concerts; Culture Minister Charles Ramson is urging businesses to invest more in the national festivities. Arts & Culture: Alliance Française’s new Georgetown space will support expanded French classes for children and adults, alongside music, film screenings and other cultural events. Youth Sport: Guyana’s Director of Sport has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the Inter-Guiana Games and called for broader regional cooperation in youth development.

Diwali Sounds: Indian Idol singer Ankush Bhardwaj will headline the Dharmic Sabha’s October 31 concert, joining Guyanese vocalist Vishale Samlall. The Sabha’s celebrations also include regional events and motorcades, with proceeds supporting children and education projects. Artist Moves: Rapper Kareem “cKush” Lewis is branching into construction and agro-processing, building businesses alongside his music career. Creative Business: Singer-songwriter and visual artist Jackie Jaxx has launched an online hub for her music, art, apparel and professional services, opening new ways for fans worldwide to support her work. Mashramani 2027: New attractions include Mash Night, the Masquerade Jamboree and pop-up concerts, alongside returning music competitions. Culture Minister Charles Ramson Jr. is urging businesses to invest more in the celebrations.

Mashramani 2027: New attractions include Mash Night, the Masquerade Jamboree and pop-up concerts, alongside returning music competitions. Culture Minister Charles Ramson is urging businesses to invest more in the festival and support local creatives. Artist Ventures: Rapper Kareem “cKush” Lewis is expanding into construction and agro-processing, saying artists need lasting income beyond music. Singer-songwriter and visual artist Jackie Jaxx has launched a website bringing her music, art, apparel and services together for fans to explore and buy. Regional Sport: Guyana’s student-athletes have headed to Paramaribo for the Inter-Guiana Games, while the West Indies Masters earned their first Over-40s World Cup win, beating Namibia by eight wickets.

Mashramani 2027: Mash Night and the Masquerade Jamboree are returning, alongside pop-up concerts and the Soca, Chutney, Calypso and Dancehall Monarch competitions. Culture Minister Charles Ramson Jr. is urging businesses to invest more in the festival, while organisers say the changes aim to give local creatives more chances to shine. Diwali Season: The Dharmic Sabha’s celebrations include a October 31 concert featuring Indian Idol singer Ankush Bhardwaj and Guyana’s Vishale Samlall, followed by the free Deep Jale light-up and bazaar at Kitty Seawall from November 4–6. Local Music: Agricola youth and former Queen’s College student Y.T.O. is drawing attention with a new single, “Y.T.O.”

Diwali Calendar: The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has announced events ahead of Diwali on November 8, including an October 31 concert with Indian Idol singer Ankush Bhardwaj and Guyanese vocalist Vishale Samlall. Deep Jale and its free bazaar run November 4–6 at the Kitty Seawall. Cultural Support: State companies have withdrawn support for Divali Nagar, while bmobile has also cut its sponsorship. Local Music: Agricola youth and former Queen’s College student Y.T.O. is making waves with a new single. Creative Arts: Guyana’s arts sector is celebrating a historic graduation milestone, while a film screening will mark 50 years since the Cubana Flight 455 bombing. Music Heritage: A fire destroyed the home of late COFONA bandmaster “Uncle Polo.”

Youth Cricket: Every team in Demerara Cricket Board’s November 22 T10 tournament must start at least one under-19 player, giving emerging cricketers a place alongside senior players. New Music: Agricola singer-songwriter Shamar Murray is building a name in contemporary R&B with his new single, “You’re The One (Y.T.O.),” released last week. Grassroots Football: FIFA mini-pitches are taking shape in Haslington and Retrieve, creating new all-weather spaces for young players. Creative Arts: Guyana’s creative sector is celebrating a historic graduation milestone, while Kashif & Shanghai’s return to Linden promises a major Christmas-season football attraction, with a $3 million top prize.

New Music: Agricola-born singer Shamar Murray is building a following with “You’re The One (Y.T.O.),” a new R&B single rooted in his church-singing beginnings. Grassroots Sport: FIFA specialists have begun installing Guyana’s first mini-pitches in Haslington, with a second planned for Retrieve, Linden, to give young people more places to play. Music Community: A fire destroyed the home of late COFONA bandmaster “Uncle Polo,” a loss for Guyana’s music community. Creative Arts: Guyana’s creative sector also marked a historic graduation milestone, celebrated by the Culture Ministry.

Divali Nagar: The annual celebration faces a funding gap after bmobile, Caribbean Airlines and the National Lotteries Control Board withdrew support. The NCIC says the event costs about $5 million and is seeking government help; Nagar opens October 30, with youth and dance competitions returning and Gemini Brass set to perform. Music & Community: Fire destroyed the home of late COFONA bandmaster “Uncle Polo” Williams in Islington, leaving his widow and three others homeless. Williams founded the marching band to guide young people through music. Guyanese Arts: A legacy website for playwright, author and activist Eusi Kwayana is set to launch as tributes continue in Guyana and Atlanta. On Stage: Kashif & Shanghai returns with a $3 million top prize, while seven DJs are set to compete for a turntable title in a Guinness contest.

Divali Nagar: Several state-controlled companies have withdrawn support for this year’s celebrations, prompting organisers to seek government help. The event opens October 30, with dance and youth competitions returning and New York band Gemini Brass set to perform November 1. Eusi Kwayana: Commemorations for the late Guyanese activist and artist continue, with a Nine Night observance on October 19 and a legacy website launching October 20. Events are planned in Atlanta and Guyana. Music Community: Fire destroyed the home of late COFONA Marching Band founder and bandmaster Lincoln “Uncle Polo” Williams, leaving his widow and three others homeless. Williams founded the band to guide young people through music. Local Creativity: Artist and entrepreneur Latoya Da Silva has grown her Xclusiv Art and Xclusiv Beauty ventures, combining fine art and event makeup while preparing to relaunch her handmade cosmetics line. Literature: Guyanese-born author Marcia Badal’s poetry collection, Jewel of Writing, has earned international recognition; she is due to receive a Distinguished Author award in Arizona in January.