National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica To Perform in Connecticut

The NATIONAL DANCE THEATRE COMPANY OF JAMAICA is scheduled to perform at the Belden Theater for the Performing Arts at the Bushnell on SATURDAY OCTOBER 2, 2004 at 8:30 p.m.

This dance theatre company was founded in 1962 when Jamaica gained independence after 468 years under Spanish and then British rule; the company was founded as a way to celebrate the island’s culture and the beginnings of Jamaica’s own government.

Since its formation they have flourished and have 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 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.

Prior to coming to Hartford, a performance is scheduled in the Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts at Rhode Island College on Thursday September 30th, presented by the International Gallery for Heritage and Culture in Providence, Rhode Island.

On Friday October 1, 2004 the 50-member dance theatre company will perform for invited students from various public schools in the region, as well as for students at Central Connecticut State University in the Welte Auditorium located at 1615 Stanley Street in New Britain, Connecticut.

This tour is sponsored by the West Indian Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the International Gallery for Heritage and Culture and Central Connecticut State University – Theatre and Dance departments, with funding in part from the New England Foundation for the Arts – Expeditions Program now in its second year, this effort was launched by NEFA to encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration between and among artists and organizations, and to create opportunities for new and experimental work to reach under-served communities in the region.

By endorsing the concept of this program, Keith L. Carr, Sr., Executive Director of the West Indian Foundation, Inc. stated, “Based on our mission, this program clearly gives us the opportunity to share the culture in so many ways, with broad based communities in the region, and at the same time highlighting outstanding works created and presented by the National Dance Theatre Company.”

For information call (860) 241-0379 or email [email protected]. Visit our website at www.westindianfoundation.org.