This is the final in the series ‘The Year that was’ – a series commemorating our Independence Anniversary on September 19.
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - FROM September 2010 to September 2011, there have been positive improvements within the area of The Arts in the Federation.
In addition to new drumming workshops and a new breed of musical artistes and dancers, we saw the implementation of several new initiatives.
Earlier this year, a drumming workshop was held that was organized strictly for females by the Department of Culture.
This workshop was described as entertaining and educational and was facilitated by drumming specialist Royd Phipps.
Dance groups also made a mark during the specified time period with the Children’s Dance Theatre, a non-profit organization, celebrating a milestone of 22 years of existence with their annual concert in April.
The Children’s Dance Theatre was formed by Stuart Morton and Julie Martin in 1989 and still continues to positively contribute to the Federation as they help build the self-esteem of its young people by honing their talents and exposing them to the art form.
Celebrating just one year of existence, the Learning & Empowerment through the Arts Program (LEAP) has already made a major impact on the federation. They celebrated their first year with a bang!
Their “I’ve Got a Feeling” production held in April featured dance and other genres of the performing arts including drama and singing. LEAP is spearheaded by founder Genieve Hanley.
Ballroom classes continue and there is also talk of a yet new dance group dubbed ‘The Aces’, to be launched soon.
Where can you see proud fathers dancing with their daughters in well choreographed routines?
The Fire Flies Dance School owned by Heidi Slack, continues to shine with their annual concerts catering to children four to ten.
Along with their famous Daddy-Daughter dance, their concert is packed with fun and exciting routines suitable for the children as they get an early start on the art form.
The dance school helps to develop long lasting dance skills in the children that vary from modern to African dance techniques. They held their sixth anniversary this year.
Many churches are now nurturing their own dance groups and adding very effective dance rituals to their services.
There was a return of the Zion Emancipation Concert which involves various genres and reminds us poignantly of the reason we celebrate August Monday.
After a ten year hiatus ‘Range’ the all male singing group which is made up of some of the federation’s top singers is back. They have been appearing regularly as guest performers.
To solidify their return, they starred in a first ever musical production of its kind, called ‘From the Valley to the Mountain RANGE, which was presented by Nubian Arts.
All who attended are high in their praise of this event and are asking for more. The play was scripted by playwright Keisha Isaac.
One is also seeing an increase in the performance of skits and of ‘drama with a message’ being performed in open places as well.
Playwrights Moses Byron and Loughlin Tatem are becoming quite adept at portraying themes relevant to present social life.
The past year also saw an increase in the number of poets in public performances. A new breed of young poets is expressing their feelings of frustration about life, love and country in poetry. They are meeting regularly now on the last Thursday of each month
It is said that the arts, specifically the performing arts are not just a part of national life but it is through our music, our art, drama and dance that our stories of the past can be shared and expressed.
The performing arts expand one’s understanding and sensitivity and push people to view the world in new and unexpected ways.
