Visiting U.S. dance group features African rhythms

There was plenty of activity today at the Memorial Park…and it had nothing to do with the three cruise ships in the harbour. News 5’s Janelle Chanona has more.

Janelle Chanona, Reporting

This afternoon as part of the Second International Dance Festival, dancers from Forces of Nature, a dance company based in New York, gave Belizean school children a taste of folkloric and contemporary West African dance and music.

Greg Vernon, Dance Coordinator, Belize Dance Company

“The purpose of the workshop is to introduce the children, and also the public, to the different style of dances, and also encourage them, especially the children, who are involved in the creative arts programme in the schools, to be more enthusiastic towards the dance movement and also music.”

…Which some children took more seriously that others. (Student whacking drum with stick)

According to the group’s rehearsal director LaNiece Mobley, this kind of dance is called Lamban.

LaNiece Mobley, Rehearsal Director, Forces of Nature

“The dance is about a pilgrimage, going from one place to the next. In fact, many years ago they did it crossing the dessert, going from their homes to Mecca during the pilgrimage. But nowadays, they do it for weddings, births and for celebrations.”

Mobley says celebrating culture is a welcome by-product of the dance festival.

LaNiece Mobley

“To come to Belize was a wonderful opportunity, but then to have all of the other cultures here as well, made it even more special.”

Forces of Nature will join other groups from Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica, Taiwan, Zimbabwe, and Mexico on stage at the Memorial Park tonight at 8:00 p.m. Reporting for News 5, I am Janelle Chanona.

On Thursday night, the venue of the festival changes to the Bliss Institute for performances by Belize, Costa Rica and Cuba. And simultaneously, the Belmopan Civic Center will be playing host to groups from the United States, Mexico, Zimbabwe and Jamaica.