BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOR the popular 21-year-old Alphonso Henry, his passion for dancing is what compels him to share his talent with others so as to keep this form of artistic expression alive.
Against this backdrop, Henry is preparing to host his second annual Dance and Drumming Workshop under the theme ‘Umoja: I Am Africa’, of which he is the Creative Director.
The upcoming six-day workshop, to be presented by Expressions Through Dance Company, is slated to begin on Monday (Jul. 15) and concludes on Saturday (Jul. 20) at the Youth and Community Centre on Victoria Road in Basseterre.
This second annual arts class will focus on African, Afro-Caribbean, Negro Spiritual, Caribbean Folk and Modern Fusion elements.
Registration forms can be uplifted from the Ministry of Culture on Victoria Road. However, provisions have been made for on-the-day registration at the venue.
Apart from Henry, tutors of the dance workshop will be Tama Martin and Careesé Hanley, while the Drumming Director will be Dikembe Morton, who is a drumming specialist in the Department of Culture.
Notably, Martin was a participant in last year’s workshop.
Speaking with SKNVibes, Henry informed that participants have the choice of dancing or drumming. Furthermore, the workshop dancers would be divided into age groups and dance background that will see beginners (ages eight to 11), intermediate (ages 12 to 15) and advance (16 years and older).
Additionally, he gave a background into his continued African-themed classes.
Henry stated that he fell in love with the hit South African Musical production called Africa ‘Umoja’, which evoked his love for African dance and traditions.
This media house understands that ‘Umoja’ in the Swahili language stands for “unity”.
Henry is pleased that his vision to embrace the Umoja brand is “different from what others are offering” in respect to St. Kitts-Nevis.
According to the popular dancer, the inaugural workshop held under the theme of Umoja - ‘The Spirit of Togetherness’ - was an “exceptional” one, adding that this time around he wants it to go “a notch above that” with hopes that the second annual would be “excellent”.
He pointed out that some of the participants from last year’s workshop who are scheduled to depart the Federation for summer vacation, have expressed regret of being unable to attend.
Following such a successfully hosted workshop, which saw 80 participants, Henry anticipates an even better turnout this year.
“I’m hoping to see a bigger number of persons.”
Henry made reference to a quote from the late famous black American dancer, choreographer and founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Alvin Ailey, which states: “Dance is for everybody. I believe that the dance came from the people and that it should always be delivered back to the people.”
The young national dancer shared with this media house that he stands by the quoted words and such is a perspective of his philosophy in life as a dancer.
