Excelling in music, dance, fashion, comedy and drama
The sassy Jackie Jaxx:
Aiming to mesmerise with her vocal versatility
With her captivating curves and sultry vocals, Jackie Hanover, otherwise known by her stage moniker as ‘Jackie Jaxx’, has been able to comfortably earn a strong fan base in Guyana. The 24-year-old professional singer is a former student of St. Rose’s High School. She competed in several local singing competitions, including the Carib Soca Monarch 2010. She is a well-known figure in the local music industry and enjoys exploring genres such as Soca, Reggae, Dancehall, R&B and Pop.
She believes that her versatility separates her from her competitors. In an interview, Hanover said, “My versatility is one of a few things that separates me from other local female singers. I’m not saying the others aren’t versatile, but I can write and sing a song of any genre and you’d believe that it is my main genre. If I sing Soca, I’ll execute it like a genuine Soca singer. The same goes for the other musical genres. I owe this ability to my band experience. It has helped to improve my singing and performing skills a lot. I also have my own style of singing. I may sound like a mix of several singers, but never one person in particular.”
She is currently working on a 13-song mix tape with local producer Darrell Pugsley, which will include some popular tracks from well-known Reggae, Dancehall and Soca producers. She will be distributing it locally, as well as in the US, Caribbean and the UK. Neither the mix tape nor any of the singles will be sold. It is for promotional purposes.
Dancer and Actor Kijana Lewis:
A sculpture of strength and finesse
The ability to act and dance are said to be two of his best gifts. Kijana Lewis will stop at nothing to impress his audience through strength, pure talent and finesse. He has been a prominent figure in the local dancing and acting scenes and has never disappointed. Many believe that there are great things that can be expected from the ebony-toned lover of life.
He is a firm believer that chemistry is key when it comes to his two loves: dancing and acting. Lewis successfully graduated from Campbellville Secondary School and attained a Certificate of Industrial Relations and Sociology at Critchlow Labour College. With a diploma in Micro Computer Studies also under his belt, he pursued his tertiary studies at the University of Guyana where he acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Management.
This aspiring actor revealed that, in his opinion, he is a great cook and a food fanatic who loves to stay in excellent shape. This inspiring and powerful dancer has made representations regionally, particularly in Jamaica, Trinidad and French Guiana. He has even performed in Brazil. But even though Lewis enjoys a good laugh with friends and is most times the life of the party, he likes spending time alone.
Asked to say what he loves the most about being able to dance the way he does, Lewis said, “I see myself as a very expressive dancer. I can immerse myself in any role or mood and be quite convincing. I think that came from my acting background and my years of role playing as a child. I realised that my energy and feel does not come only from the movement, but also the music. It’s like an outer body experience, like you’re not yourself anymore, that’s what I love about dance and how I move.”
Actor / Comedian
Lyndon ‘Jumbie’ Jones:
Dedicated to serving the best medicine for the soul
Regardless of the challenges life threw his way, respected local actor and comedian, Lyndon ‘Jumbie’ Jones handled it the best way he could and with a smile.
He has shuffled through many trades for several years, but the one he seemed to perfect, and what could be considered his calling, is his natural ability to make others laugh.
As such, it comes as no surprise that comedy is the field he fits into comfortably. He has been a huge success in it since his debut in the arena in his teens.
Born on January 14, 1966 in New Amsterdam, Guyana, Jones is a father of four. He attended the St. Aloysius Primary School before moving on to the Berbice Educational Institute. During this time, he developed a liking for acrobatics and was enthused by a group from Georgetown called ‘The Tumblers’ who often travelled to Berbice to put on different shows. Jones felt he could form a group and do the same thing. He did and it was quite a successful venture for him at that time.
Jones was introduced to acting during his youth with the Sunflower Drama Group in New Amsterdam where he performed at various community functions. In his later years, he joined the Guyana prison service. While stationed in Bartica, he joined the Republican Drama Group and entertained various government organisations, among many others. He also got roles in local sitcoms, “Juice Junction” and the very popular “Agree to Disagree”.
Subsequently, he was requested by Upscale Café and clubs throughout Guyana to perform at their comedy nights. He currently works as a stand-up comedian and actor. His latest sensation is a show known as “Uncensored”, which is facilitated at the National Cultural Centre. It is often a sold-out show.
It features the crème de la crème of Guyana’s comedians and poets. Uncensored usually focuses on a lot of situations in society that can cause serious offence if discussed candidly at a public forum, but Jones uses the platform of comedy to speak on these situations and lighter sides of topical issues.
Designer Olympia Small-Sonaram:
The daredevil of the local fashion world
She is perhaps the only lady in the local fashion world who is absolutely opposed to the conventional cuts, trends and designs of the fashion world. For this successful mother of one, fashion must leave the entire world gasping for breath, on the edge of its seat and impressed by its creativity and impressive finish.
With her inspiring body of work, Olympia Small-Sonaram has earned herself the title of being the daredevil of the local fashion world. Her designs aspire to be nothing but the absolutely eccentric and extraordinary. The support of major corporations over the years are testimony to the quality of work she produces.
Small-Sonaram has designed Mashramani costumes for various competitions hosted by the former Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and has won them more than four times. She credits her success to hard work and determination. The fashionista has been the designer of the floats of Digicel, one of the telecommunications companies, for the past five years. In 2014, she themed the band “Arabian Night”, which was named Best Full Costume Band during Guyana’s 44th Republic Anniversary celebrations. Because of her, Digicel Guyana Inc. also copped the prizes for Semi-Costume Medium and Male Individual.
When she isn’t sacrificing sleepless nights to design costumes for such festivities, she is busy working on evening gowns for the delegates in the Miss World Guyana, Miss Guyana Universe and Miss Guyana Earth pageants.
