As Guyana prepares to celebrate Mashramani 2017 under the theme “Celebration with Dignity, Liberty and Greater Unity”, several activities are planned which will see the event being celebrated in grandeur.
Following a one year hiatus, Mash 2017 will see several competitions being rolled out to attract every Guyanese. From chutney to calypso and the sweet rhythm of steel pan music will definitely set the tone for a great mash celebration. 
In order to make Republic Day celebrations one to remember, musicians, dancers, masqueraders and others are already in competition mode to cop the various titles that are out there to be grabbed.
In doing so, not only will they entertain the Guyanese populace by rather the thousands of tourists who are expected to travel to Guyana to witness the main event – the costume and float parade.
Defending his calypso monarch title will be “The Professor”. Since November last, auditions were held and the finalists were selected. With one step closer to the title, the calypsonians began rehearsals on January 9.
The heat will become intense as the semi-final for the adults is slated for Saturday, February 11 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden. There the best of the best will engage in musical delivery but only the best will survive since the list of contenders will be cut dramatically as a prelude to the main clash for the adult Calypso Monarchy.
The latter is slated for staging at the Demerara Park, Greater Georgetown, on February 17.
In addition, the reigning Chutney Monarch, Bunty Singh will also defend his title. The chutney auditions are scheduled to be held today and January 14 at the Shakti Strings Band Room after which it will be full steam ahead with rehearsals on January 16 as a prelude to the final, carded for February 10 at the Canje Ground, Berbice.
However, New Amsterdam is promised a spectacular serving of steel pan music through a steel band concert organised by Music Development Unit, which is also slated for January 14.
Bartica, Region Seven; Region 10; and Parika, East Bank Essequibo steel pan lovers need not be afraid of exclusion as they will have an opportunity to indulge and soak up the steel pan vibes as these locations are all on the schedule for live steel pan concerts on January 21, 29 and February 5 respectively.
Finally, on Thursday, February 16, the Steel Band Minor Category Competition drums off at the Theatre Guild while the big bands will do battle on Sunday February 19 at the same location. These are just a few teasers of what Guyanese can expect as Guyana celebrates 46 years as a Republic.
