SNEAK PREVIEW
THE SHASHAMANE CULTURAL ENSEMBLE
TRINIDAD
Over the last three weeks you have had the opportunity to see three of the dance companies that will be in Barbados in May 2014 for the Universal Expressions Arts Festival. We are definitely not finished yet and this week our attention is going to be on the Shashamane Cultural Ensemble from Trinidad.
This energetic core of dancers and drummers has its roots in Santa Flora, in the southern part of Trinidad, and this will be their second consecutive year joining us for the production of UEAF. The Shashamane Cultural Ensemble has more than twelve years of performance experience under its belt and has made its mark as an ambassador of traditional, local and African cultural art forms in both drumming and dance.
The artistic director Marcia Lewis, often referred to by myself as the mother of Shashamane, has from the community based group's inception, ensured that it continues to explore and generate an audience appreciation for our diverse and ethnic art forms. With members ranging from as young as three years old, the youth of Santa Flora and its surrounding communities are provided with an opportunity to engage in meaningful, educational and enjoyable activities.
The Shashamane Cultural Ensemble has performed at a wide range of events. Including Emancipation festivals, national events and has represented the Region on two occasions at the Folk Fair. In 2012 the dance group hosted the first Rhythm and Motion Festival which showcased dance groups from neighbouring Caribbean islands.
The Shashamane Cultrual Ensemble will be in Barbados once again for UEAF and it promises to be an experience that you will not want to miss. don't forget to return on the 13th of this month to get a sneak preview of another one of our exciting performing arts groups. See you then!
This energetic core of dancers and drummers has its roots in Santa Flora, in the southern part of Trinidad, and this will be their second consecutive year joining us for the production of UEAF. The Shashamane Cultural Ensemble has more than twelve years of performance experience under its belt and has made its mark as an ambassador of traditional, local and African cultural art forms in both drumming and dance.
The artistic director Marcia Lewis, often referred to by myself as the mother of Shashamane, has from the community based group's inception, ensured that it continues to explore and generate an audience appreciation for our diverse and ethnic art forms. With members ranging from as young as three years old, the youth of Santa Flora and its surrounding communities are provided with an opportunity to engage in meaningful, educational and enjoyable activities.
The Shashamane Cultural Ensemble has performed at a wide range of events. Including Emancipation festivals, national events and has represented the Region on two occasions at the Folk Fair. In 2012 the dance group hosted the first Rhythm and Motion Festival which showcased dance groups from neighbouring Caribbean islands.
The Shashamane Cultrual Ensemble will be in Barbados once again for UEAF and it promises to be an experience that you will not want to miss. don't forget to return on the 13th of this month to get a sneak preview of another one of our exciting performing arts groups. See you then!
Dancin' Africa
Barbados
Let me start by apologizing for being late with this update. I have been receiving plenty of messages from people telling me that there are anxious to see who is next. So here it is FINALLY!!
Meet one of Barbados' leading dance companies, Dancin' Africa. Captivating Barbadian and international audiences as far as China for more than 20 years. The company boasts a talented core of junior and senior dancers that is known for its well choreographed Modern, African and Calypso dances and has captured some of the most prestigious awards available in Barbados for dance.
These include, not one but two Madam Ifill Awards of Excellence and three Prime Minister Awards at the Barbados’ National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA). In addition internationally Dancin' Africa has been bestowed with the prestigious Sunshine Award in New York for its excellent work in advancing the African diasporic culture through its repertoire.
Speaking of culture, Dancin' Africa easily falls into the category of one of the few dance companies on the island that can competently perform the traditional Barbadian Land Ship. As an educator, who is also trained in educational theatre, Jennifer Sealy ensures as the artistic director of the Company that dance is not simply about movement but is a complete learning experience.
Seeing them perform on countless occasions I could go on and on about how good they are. However, I don't want to spoil your appetite. Come out to the Universal Expressions Arts Festival 2014 and see for yourself what this talented dance core has to offer.
Come back next week on the 6th of March to see who else is going to be here.
Meet one of Barbados' leading dance companies, Dancin' Africa. Captivating Barbadian and international audiences as far as China for more than 20 years. The company boasts a talented core of junior and senior dancers that is known for its well choreographed Modern, African and Calypso dances and has captured some of the most prestigious awards available in Barbados for dance.
These include, not one but two Madam Ifill Awards of Excellence and three Prime Minister Awards at the Barbados’ National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA). In addition internationally Dancin' Africa has been bestowed with the prestigious Sunshine Award in New York for its excellent work in advancing the African diasporic culture through its repertoire.
Speaking of culture, Dancin' Africa easily falls into the category of one of the few dance companies on the island that can competently perform the traditional Barbadian Land Ship. As an educator, who is also trained in educational theatre, Jennifer Sealy ensures as the artistic director of the Company that dance is not simply about movement but is a complete learning experience.
Seeing them perform on countless occasions I could go on and on about how good they are. However, I don't want to spoil your appetite. Come out to the Universal Expressions Arts Festival 2014 and see for yourself what this talented dance core has to offer.
Come back next week on the 6th of March to see who else is going to be here.
The cayman islands national dance company
cayman islands
Last week we had the pleasure of introducing you to the Urban Ritual Dance Company of Tobago. We are not one for going back on our word so, as promised, on the 18th of the month (which is today) you are going to be virtually meeting another dance company that will be in Barbados in May for UEAF 2014.
The Cayman Islands National Dance Company & School-Dance Unlimited stand out as 'The Islands' Ambassadors of Dance" and has created a unique and recognizable brand through the fusion of Modern, Afro Caribbean, Caribbean Folk and Jazz.
The founder and artistic director, Ms. Lorna Reid, established the CINDC&S-Dance Unltd, in 1988 and through her leadership the dance company and school have become an international success. Over the past 26 years the company has had the privilege of performing as far as Holland at the Multicultural Festival, CARIFESTA V and VI in Trinidad and Tobago, CARIFESTA VII in St. Kitts and Nevis, numerous dance festivals in Miami and the list goes on.
Their contribution to dance in the Cayman Islands is equally as impressive and includes opening national sports events, performing at the Cayman Islands Arts Festival, The Cayman Islands National Arts Festival, Cayfest, beauty pageants such as Miss Teen and Miss Cayman and numerous charitable and non-charitable events. In addition, for 25 years this company has been hosting an annual dance showcase during May/June at the Harquail Theatre and through the school Dance Unlimited the CINDC continues to make a valuable contribution to the development of dance and the creative development of young children, teens and adults.
Look out for the Cayman Islands National Dance Company in Barbados from May 23rd to 26th 2014. Be one of the privileged few to see one of the Caribbean's finest dance companies on display. Come back on the 25th of this month to see who else is going to be here.
"DANCE FOR LOVE, DANCE FOR LIFE"- The Cayman Islands National Dance Company & School-Dance Unlimited
The Cayman Islands National Dance Company & School-Dance Unlimited stand out as 'The Islands' Ambassadors of Dance" and has created a unique and recognizable brand through the fusion of Modern, Afro Caribbean, Caribbean Folk and Jazz.
The founder and artistic director, Ms. Lorna Reid, established the CINDC&S-Dance Unltd, in 1988 and through her leadership the dance company and school have become an international success. Over the past 26 years the company has had the privilege of performing as far as Holland at the Multicultural Festival, CARIFESTA V and VI in Trinidad and Tobago, CARIFESTA VII in St. Kitts and Nevis, numerous dance festivals in Miami and the list goes on.
Their contribution to dance in the Cayman Islands is equally as impressive and includes opening national sports events, performing at the Cayman Islands Arts Festival, The Cayman Islands National Arts Festival, Cayfest, beauty pageants such as Miss Teen and Miss Cayman and numerous charitable and non-charitable events. In addition, for 25 years this company has been hosting an annual dance showcase during May/June at the Harquail Theatre and through the school Dance Unlimited the CINDC continues to make a valuable contribution to the development of dance and the creative development of young children, teens and adults.
Look out for the Cayman Islands National Dance Company in Barbados from May 23rd to 26th 2014. Be one of the privileged few to see one of the Caribbean's finest dance companies on display. Come back on the 25th of this month to see who else is going to be here.
"DANCE FOR LOVE, DANCE FOR LIFE"- The Cayman Islands National Dance Company & School-Dance Unlimited
The urban ritual dance company
tobago
The name Elvis Radgman may not ring a bell for you unless you are from Tobago. However, this established dancer, choreographer and teacher, who is a graduate of the Hunter College University in New York City, is the founder and Artistic Director of the Urban Ritual Dance Company (URDC) of Tobago.
Established in 2007, URDC is one of the most sought after dance troupes on the island. Specializing in Contemporary dance, the company is highly regarded for their performances whether it be in African, modern or ballet. URDC' focuses on exploring creative ways of moving and presenting dance and has been featured at a number of prestigious events in Trinidad, Tobago and the Caribbean. These include the Tobago Heritage Festival, the Tobago Jazz Festival, the Trinidad Dance Festival, The Fifth Summit of the Americas and The Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit. URDC is also the host of the Tobago Contemporary Dance Festival through which the dance company not only showcases their work, but like UEAF, provides a platform for other dance troupes both in Tobago and from the Caribbean to do the same.
Through the provision of dance training for young children and adults, Elvis Radgman and the Urban Ritual Dance Company have, over the past six years, continued to fulfill the mission to ensure that current and future generations appreciate and maintain the art form of dance.
The Urban Ritual Dance Company is one of the four renowned dance companies from the Caribbean that will be performing in Barbados at the Universal Expressions Arts Festival in May 2014. Come back on the 18th of this month to find out who else is going to be here.
Established in 2007, URDC is one of the most sought after dance troupes on the island. Specializing in Contemporary dance, the company is highly regarded for their performances whether it be in African, modern or ballet. URDC' focuses on exploring creative ways of moving and presenting dance and has been featured at a number of prestigious events in Trinidad, Tobago and the Caribbean. These include the Tobago Heritage Festival, the Tobago Jazz Festival, the Trinidad Dance Festival, The Fifth Summit of the Americas and The Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit. URDC is also the host of the Tobago Contemporary Dance Festival through which the dance company not only showcases their work, but like UEAF, provides a platform for other dance troupes both in Tobago and from the Caribbean to do the same.
Through the provision of dance training for young children and adults, Elvis Radgman and the Urban Ritual Dance Company have, over the past six years, continued to fulfill the mission to ensure that current and future generations appreciate and maintain the art form of dance.
The Urban Ritual Dance Company is one of the four renowned dance companies from the Caribbean that will be performing in Barbados at the Universal Expressions Arts Festival in May 2014. Come back on the 18th of this month to find out who else is going to be here.