Jamaican performers arrive
Get ready to tap your feet and sway to the rhythm of a Jamaican performing arts group which will be giving recitals and workshops in Belize. News Five was at the Philip S.W. Goldson International to greet the performers. We got a taste of the music and dance which has made them regional favorites.
The Ashe Performing Dance Company is a vibrant group of young artists which has gained worldwide recognition for presenting serious issues affecting Caribbean youths through colorful and moving presentations. Joseph Robinson is Ashe’s artistic director.
Joseph Robinson, Artistic Director, Ashe
“We do a lot of entertaining and education; a lot of musicals on AIDS and STDs and stuff on the environment and drugs; so it is a combination of different things.”
The company, which is probably one of the biggest Caribbean dance ensembles, has a staff of twenty-five full time members and a school of over three hundred students. For the next eight days eighteen talented young men and women will be conducting workshops and dance concerts in Belmopan, San Pedro Town, Belize City and at the Hattieville Correctional Facility.
Joseph Robinson
“We will be going into schools. We will be doing a lot of cultural shows; we are going to be doing workshops with teachers promoting the Jamaican/Caribbean culture and I think we will also be doing some major concerts in terms of some fundraising and in terms of promoting the culture of the Caribbean.”
Today at the airport the group gave those who welcomed them a taste of their talent.
Although a number of workshops will be held for dance groups and youth groups, teachers have also been invited to participate. According to Beverly Smith Lopez, the Director of the Belize Arts Council, the workshops will give teachers an excellent opportunity to prepare for the Festival of Arts in May.
Beverly Smith Lopez, Director, Belize Arts Council
“Because truthfully in addition to them being an art ensemble, they are well known throughout the entire world as a group very strong with workshops. As you know it is also part of our preparations going into the Festival of Arts so the teachers will get a very special opportunity with a group such as Ashe.”
On Wednesday Ashe will give teacher workshops in Belmopan and a performance at the Belmopan Civic Center. They will perform in Belize City on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and give a special children’s matinee on Sunday morning. Tickets are available at the Belize Arts Council.
