Festival of Arts finds gold
Emotions ran high last night at Holy Redeemer Parish Hall; not because of any stirring political debate, but due to the quality of some young artists.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
It was a night, for the most part, of stellar performances in the arts. There were twenty-seven items of dance, poetry, drama and recitals performed by several Belize District school and private music studios. Six schools won gold. Director of the Belize Arts Council Beverley Smith-Lopez was particularly impressed with Ebenezer infants’ version of a popular play.
Beverley Smith-Lopez, Dir., Belize Arts Council
“I especially enjoyed however, “The Kings New Clothes”. As you know, that’s a very old story for children, we all read it and we’ve always performed that story almost every year at the festival. I think the different approaches are well. I enjoy the one by Ebenezer.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Grace Chapel as always, did a lovely rendition of the very old “Do Re Me”, but brought it to life.”
Beverley Smith-Lopez
“Yes, and if you notice, the size of the choir was very big. They did a mix choir, rather than infant, junior and senior choir. That was another strong performance.”
Another strong performance in dance came from St. John Vianney.
Beverley Smith-Lopez
“I had to comment on that dance last night, because it’s one of the traditional dances, “Las Casitas” better known as the peacock. A teacher, I found out later, was from the village of Yo Creek in Orange Walk, and that is where we usually have to send for that dance to be performed in the city. That she has taught an entire set of city kids that dace is wonderful. It’s not an easy dance, it’s timely.”
And speaking about time, Smith-Lopez says the restoration of the Bliss is underway.
Beverley Smith-Lopez
“The plan has been approved by Strukture, who is the local representative here, and our minister, Honourable Mark Espat, has promised us that he is going to do everything within his power to make sure that we get the Bliss back as soon as possible.”
Belizeans will soon be enjoying the luxury of a seven hundred seat theatre.
Beverley Smith-Lopez
“Prosenium Arch is the best thing, that’s the kind of arch theatre stage setting we have at the Bliss. However, the capacity should grow to about seven hundred and we should have balconies. And best of all, if the plan goes as it is at this moment, we should have a central unit, and that should be better. Concerning the plan, we have yet to see what the final plan is, but the plans that I have seen before, I am proud of.”
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
The Festival of Arts continues tonight at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall in Belize City. The show begins at seven.
