Five weeks of performances by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater seems a generous and foreboding holiday gift from Kris Kringle however since Nov. 29 until Dec. 31, the 65-year-old dance company will continue to entreat patrons to City Center with wondrous movements, colorful costumes, cultural enchantments and “Revelations” the signature production, which includes “Pilgrims of Sorrow,” “Take Me To The Water,” and “Move, Members, Move.”
“It’s as if Christmas came early,” Vena W. Baker said after a matinee on the eve of the celebrated day.
“No matter how many times I see ‘Revelations,’ I am always enamored by the beauty and grace exhibited of the company.”
Venus Green, a professor at City College gifted nine friends and family members to the same performance.
“At this time of year, there’s no need to stress with shopping; guaranteed, this is the gift everyone will enjoy and appreciate.”
If there was any doubt, a standing ovation capped the afternoon treat last Saturday.
Similarly, Santa Claus’s generosity will extend to the New Year when Jamaica’s leading contemporary dance company presents a memorable one-night performance with brawta from L’Acadco.
Featuring ‘a united Caribbean dance force,’ which includes dancers from Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Bermuda, Cuba, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago, the company founded by Jamaican dancer and choreographer, L’Antoinette Stines will make its return since making a triumphant appearance at Brooklyn Academy of Music 20 years ago. The company thrilled audiences during the DanceAfrica Memorial day weekend showcases with unique Caribbean folkloric offerings.
Stines is credited with first establishing Miami’s first Black dance company in 1978 which she named, L’Acadco.
“Returning to Jamaica in 1982 she continued to grow with her company and together they have become dynamic ambassadors for Jamaican culture, through dance, and advocates for its preservation and development.”
On Jan. 11, the two decades-old absence will end with a special gala performance at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College.
Slated for a one-night performance the Caribbean collaborative will showcase the artistry, dynamism and technique of L’Acadco’s extraordinary dancers who are set to thrill returning fans as well as first time attendees.
Stines is the creator of L’Antech, a contemporary Caribbean dance technique —the company’s movement language.
Her expertise in classical ballet and popular folkloric Jamaican and Caribbean moment vocabularies enabled her to create this method of training bodies while exploring choreographic work inspired by the virility of her island’s culture and ancestry, the sensuality of its people and the natural mystic in the air.
The evening will include contemporary works and pieces exploring popular and traditional Caribbean forms as well as highlighting choreographers Jessica Shaw, Orville McFarlane and Stines, the artistic director.
“Satta” and “Honfour,” two of the company’s signature works choreographed by Stines, will be presented.
The night’s lineup will feature special guest performer Amma D. McKen, Yoruba Orisha Singer and Priestess of Yemonja.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, McKen has sung traditional sacred Yoruba music since she was 14. McKen holds several titles in Yoruba, including the title of Akpon, a lead singer and officiator for the drumming and dancing celebrations. She became the first African American female Akpon to produce on a musical recording of the traditional songs, titled Alaako Oso: Owner of the Songs is Eloquent
Reportedly, the performance will honor Una S.T. Clarke, a former member of the City Council and is being held under the theme: Building Bridges Through The Arts.
Part proceeds is earmarked for the New-York based Jamaican charity, Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Inc.
Tickets available at www.touchstonelink.com/lacadco
A hearty and healthy New Year to all.
Catch You On The Inside!
