For Guyanese who either lived in or visited New York in the mid-80s 4D International was a key stopping point in Brooklyn. And now 4D International is back, hosting a reunion during the 50th Anniversary celebrations in Guyana in May.
4D International was started by the five brothers of the Forde family originally from Georgetown, Guyana and was established on September 22, 1985 on Rutland Road in Brooklyn, New York. It quickly became the premier Guyanese night club. The Club hosted the first St. Stanislaus and St. Roses joint reunion events and became reunion central for a flock of Guyanese organizations including Guyana Telecommunications Corporation, Central High School, Queens College to name a few. Many people credit 4Ds for meeting their spouses. Along with the nightclub, 4Ds also provided catering for events and hosted weddings.
In 1987 a larger facility was opened on Flatbush Ave taking the name with it and the Rutland Ave location was renamed Channel 1. In 1991 Channel 1 at Rutland Ave merged with 4Ds on Flatbush Ave. 4Ds closed its doors in 2009 after 23 years and the reunion in Guyana is the first event under the storied banner in 7 years.
The Forde brothers were 5 of the seven children born in Georgetown . The five brothers were Alan the eldest (deceased) Alwyn, Eion, Lyndon and Wayne. The family lived in New Amsterdam, Berbice and Mazaruni. Upon the parents retirement the family lived in East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. In the early 1970s the family started to migrate to the US initially moving to New York.
Wayne created Face of the Caribbean Beauty Pageant that attracted contestants from the Caribbean Community, this enterprise lasted for about two years but Wayne had caught the entertainment bug. He found after visiting the popular nightclubs of the time, that none catered to Guyanese, so, along with his brothers the idea for 4D was forged and the rest as they say is history.
Now the remaining brothers are hosting the reunion in Guyana and hoping that the fond memories that many Guyanese have for the stellar nightclub will create a spectacular event.