~~Adz:Left~~ Basseterre, St. Kitts (July 11, 2007): The Okolo Tegremantine Arts Theater continues to build on its reputation as a top cultural performing group in the region.
Members of the group are back in St. Kitts after an eight day visit to St. Croix, USVI, where they took part in a commemoration event dating back to the island’s period of slavery 159 years ago.
The Arts Theater members performed in the July 03, Emancipation Re-enactment organised by the Caribbean Dance Company of St. Croix. They had the distinct honour of providing musical accompaniment for Nana Adwoa Mary Lewis of Ghana who performed an African ritual dance as part of the production.
This grand event entitled “One Love” was held at Buddhoe Park in Freedom City, Frederiksted and was witnessed by hundreds of onlookers. The celebration honours the thousands of slaves who gathered at Frederiksted to demand their freedom in 1848. The successful uprising was led by Moses "General Buddhoe" Gottlieb, commonly referred to as just "Buddhoe," a freed slave and a skilled craftsman.
The Antigua Dance Academy, Per Ankh Neteru Ankhsamble, Dembaya Arts Conservator, Eddie Russell and Quelbe Latin Jazz Band as well as the Awilda Sterling-Duprey of Puerto Rico were also featured.
The Okolo Tegremantine Arts Theater also performed at one of the leading hotels in St. Croix. They wowed audiences and are scheduled to return to the United States territory to stage a full length production later this year.
The cultural group expressed appreciation to TDC Airlines and the Ministry of Finance as well as Monty Thompson and Phyliss Blackman of St. Croix for their assistance.
This trip marked the second appearance of the Okolo group in St. Croix as they celebrate their 34th anniversary. The group was led by Dance Specialist in the Department of Culture Lorna “Ava” Henry.
