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NDTC Performs to Sold Out Audience

February 13, 2007

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The internationally acclaimed National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica (NDTC) performed to a sold out audience last Saturday (February 10), at the Broward Centre for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale.
Proceeds from the special one night performance will benefit the development of the Jamaica Diaspora movement in the Southern USA.
The nearly 600-member audience of Jamaican nationals and friends enjoyed a two-hour programme performed by the 45-member company, comprising dancers, singers and musicians, which explored the intricacies of Jamaican culture. Performances included a tribute to Bob Marley, called ‘Ode’. Daughter of the late international reggae star, Cedella Marley, designed costumes for this piece.
Professor Rex Nettleford, Founder and Artistic Director of the NDTC, in his latest work, choreographed ‘Katrina’, a dance in seven episodes recreating the impact of the 2005 hurricane disaster in New Orleans. In this piece, Professor Nettleford explained that the dance invoked a socially conscious look at the depth of hurricanes, chronicling despair and hope, characteristic of Caribbean people.
In welcoming the audience to the event, the Professor said that the repertoire of several new works by a new body of young, talented and vibrant choreographers would showcase the company’s new mode of operation, embracing renewal and continuity.
He further added that the dances reflected the strong influence of the African ancestry in the Caribbean heritage, and fused also with European and Asian influence.
Jamaica’s Consul-General in Miami, Ricardo Allicock in his remarks, spoke of the symbolic and historical significance of the performance during Black History Month (February), representative of Jamaica’s ethnic plurality as well as the NDTC’s commitment to the expression of the African global experience.
He described the dance company as “a movement, which gives dramatic, insightful expression to the sorrow, exultation, legacy and vision of our people, delivering it in a language universally understood”.
Commending the efforts of the Broward Centre for the Performing Arts for recognizing the creative energy of the Jamaican culture, Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board representative to the Southern USA, Marlon Hill, expressed gratitude to the organization for the partnership established with the Diaspora, through the inaugural benefit performance at the prestigious South Florida venue.
He also lauded the efforts of Jamaica Awareness Incorporated, a Florida-based cultural marketing group, under the direction of Sydney Roberts, for their co-operation and their continued commitment and partnership in fostering and supporting activities in the interest of Jamaicans at home and abroad.
Also bringing greetings were Sydney Bartley, Principal Director of Entertainment and Culture in the Ministry of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture and Mark Nerenhausen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Broward Centre for the Performing Arts.

Last Updated: February 13, 2007

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