Vista Dance Studio prepares for big show
The recent re-opening of the Bliss will no doubt serve as a catalyst for Belizean performers. But while that famous venue may have been out of commission for the last several years it doesn’t mean local artists have been hibernating. Jacqueline Woods reports on one dance group that’s been working hard and is ready to put its best feet forward this weekend.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
They are a little bit older and taller, but one thing that has remained the same is the young ladies dedication and love for the art of dance.
The ballerinas are students of Vista Dance Studio and have been dancing for several years.
Sistie Fairweather-Harmes, Managing Dir., Vista Dance Studio
“I have been very lucky that I have the kids from they were little and they are growing up. It’s the same ones, it’s just that they are bigger now, so it looks more crowded huh.” (laughs)
One year ago, the dancers started preparing for their seventh annual recital.
Sistie Fairweather
“The whole objective is really to make the children have a appreciation for the arts, know all that goes into a production. And it’s very good for them. Good for their self-esteem and it helps them with their school work too, they learn to concentrate, they learn to discipline themselves; it’s for the children.”
It’s not the first time that eight-year-old Kaithlyn Woods will be on stage, but the ballerina, who loves to smile, still get those butterflies in her stomach just before she makes an entrance.
Kaithlyn Woods, Student, Vista Dance Studio
“I like it because it’s fun and exciting.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Tell me about the dance that you will be doing?”
Kaithlyn Woods
“Right now the dance we are doing is celebration; it takes a lot of time.”
Jacqueline Woods
“I understand you young ladies get pretty excited around this time of the year because you know that you’ll be having an annual recital. What do you do to prepare yourself for the performance?”
Kalmn Simmons, Student, Vista Dance Studio
“I usually get ready, get my things, my costumes ready and things like that.”
Kenedi Molina, Student, Vista Dance Studio
“I have been preparing all year.”
Jacqueline Woods
“How long are the workouts?”
Kenedi Molina
“For one hours and two hours on the weekends.”
Sistie Fairweather
“It’s very difficult to put on a recital on short notice, for the children to learn the steps, master the techniques, for the costumes to be made, and not wait until the last minute when it becomes a stressful thing. For it to be an enjoyable thing for the kids, as well as for me and all the parents, it’s something that I build on for a year.”
The studio’s managing director, Sistie Fairweather-Harmes says the show will take place at its usual venue and not at the new Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts for the same reason why other groups have not been able to access the facility.
Sistie Fairweather
“At the beginning of January, I like to know what I am doing at the end of March with the children because I usually put on an announcement for the semester. And at the time, I kept calling the Bliss and they kept telling me that I could have the Bliss, but they couldn’t tell me how much I will have to pay for it. And this went on and on and on and I just had move on, I had to make a decision and go with the Biltmore because up to know I still don’t know exactly what it will cost to put on a show at the Bliss. You need to know that in order to plan.”
The children are ready however, and want you to be a part of the audience.
Students
“Come on and enjoy to show. It will be held on Sunday at six o’clock. Come on everybody and enjoy the show.”
Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.
The Vista Dance Studio performance gets underway at six on Sunday evening at the Belize Biltmore Plaza. Tickets, at fifteen dollars, are available at the door.
