– Benefiting the Jamaican Diaspora Foundation Southern US –
The celebrated and internationally acclaimed National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica (NDTC) will perform for a one-night only benefit performance on Saturday, February 10, 2007, 8pm, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Amaturo Theater, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The performance is being staged by Jamaica Awareness, Inc., under the auspices of the Jamaican Consulate General with proceeds benefiting the development of the Jamaican Diaspora movement in the Southern United States.
Formed in 1962 and under the artistic direction of co-founder Rex Nettleford, NDTC have flourished and gone on to achieve national prominence and international acclaim. They have traveled widely, not only in and around the Caribbean, but also to Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Britain, Germany, Australia, and the Soviet Union.
The 45-member company is made up of dancers, singers, and musicians, and has a wide-ranging repertoire that includes over 100 works. Some of the dances are dramas and tell a story, some are staged rituals showing religious ceremonies, some are pantomimes and other dances are just to enjoy. For the Florida performance the Company will present a new repertoire of dance-works by established and budding choreographers, who are also responsible for the Company’s new mode of operation, embracing renewal and continuity.
“This Benefit performance is part of a greater partnership in the promotion, presentation, and celebration of Jamaican culture at the Broward Center for future years. It is a confirmation of the extraordinary contributions of Jamaicans in South Florida and throughout the Southern United States,” noted Ricardo Allicock, Consul General of Jamaica.
Tickets will be released Thursday, December 21, just in time for the holidays so that they can be purchased as gifts through the Broward Center box office or online at www.browardcenter.org. Patrons holding VIP tickets will have access to the pre-performance reception to meet and mingle with senior members of the troupe, local officials and sponsors. The NDTC performance is sure to attract prominent members of the Caribbean community as well as patrons of the arts.
The NDTC benefit performance is the launch of Jamaica Awareness’ Caribbean Dance Celebration Series which will continue on April 21 & 22, 2007 with a presentation of other exciting and vibrant dance troupes from the region. Sponsors of this Special Benefit Performance will include Air Jamaica, Jamaica National, Riddims Marketing, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, National Endowment for the Arts, News/Talk 1080 AM WTPS, among others.
For sponsorship and other information, call 305-891-2944 or 786-348-2594 or online at
www.jamaware.org.
