Revitalizing Our Urban Green Spaces: Musical Interludes Launched at the Botanical Gardens

The Protected Areas Commission formally welcomed the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Band back to the Botanical Gardens on Thursday October 6^th, 2022 as part of its Musical Interludes Initiative. The GPF Band has performed concerts under the Botanical Gardens’ Bandstand since April 2022. However, under the PAC’s Musical Interludes Initiative these concerts will be scheduled to take place in the Botanical Gardens every Thursday. 

Director of Music, Superintendent Matthew Joseph has directed his band in several concerts at the Bandstand, and is very excited to have the band perform on a regular basis. The Band had paused their traditional concerts due to the COVID-19 pandemic – during the period 2020-2021. 

The GPF Band has been encouraged by the Head of State and Commissioner of Police to build stronger relationships with communities, one way being through music. As such they will be performing concerts for the public in various communities and around the cities including at the Bandstand in the Botanical Gardens, the Promenade Gardens and the Sea Walls. 

The Bandstand is located centrally in the Botanical Gardens, entering from the western gate on Vlissingen Road. It was built to commemorate the work of John Brummel a past Sheriff of Demerara, who died in 1881. Mr. Brummel also served as a member on the first installment of the Botanical Gardens’ Board of Directors. The Bandstand was built around 1882 and is considered to be the oldest of the three Bandstands in Guyana, according to the National Trust of Guyana. 

The Bandstand is synonymous with musical entertainment, as its name suggests. It has been a place where various bands come to play, including steel pan, classical quartets and bands. The public can now look forward to these Musical Interludes with the GPF Band every Thursday, beginning from 4:45 pm to 5:45 pm. Regular updates will be posted to the PAC’s Facebook page as the PAC hopes to improve on this initiative by adding more local talent.