Barry Smith, Contributor
Mirror Moods, Khulcha Dance Company
An evening of excellence is how best to describe the gala performance staged by Khulcha Theatre School of Dance as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations.
The show appropriately titled, 'Fusion', took place in Mandeville on Saturday, May 17 at the Cecil Charlton Hall, where for the first time, several of Jamaica's talented dancers came together on one stage - the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC), Movement Dance Company, the Stella Maris Dance Ensemble and the newly launched, Khulcha Dance Company (KDC).
The night's entertainment also included performances by the outstanding young violinist Mark Stephenson, who opened the evening's proceedings with a piece entitled 'Dance-In-Violin', choreographed by Carolyn Russell-Smith. He was accompanied by Joni Honeyghan, a member of KDC, in a classical blend of instruments - the body and the violin. It was a fitting start to the programme and was well received by the audience. It also set the tone for the quality of performances to come.
Khulcha Theatre School of Dance was founded in October 1988, by Carolyn Russell-Smith, a dynamic and extremely talented choreographer and dancer. Following her graduation from the Jamaica School of Dance and a period overseas at the Laban Centre in London, she moved to Mandeville with her husband, Barry, and daughter Tamara in 1987.
Russell-Smith immediately saw the need for her talents and decided to establish a dance school against the advice of several persons who related the short-lived experiences of previous dance classes established in central Jamaica.
She was determined to make this venture a success and decided to adopt a community-based approach to the functioning of the school. This has reaped favourable benefits as, over the years, the school has developed a reputation of high moral and disciplinary standards. Today, 20 years later, there are second generation students attending the school.
The programme listed 12 items for presentation and was ordered in a manner that offered pleasing transitions from one piece to the other.
executed in style
The NDTC presented two items, 'He Watcheth' and 'Celebration Courage', which were both executed in the style and at a level of professionalism expected from our premier dance company.
Movement Dance Company's offering was a sensuous duet, 'Excerpts From Pathway', which went down extremely well with the audience.
Stella Maris Ensemble delivered two excellent pieces, 'Sankofa - Ja (2004)' and 'Kudos (Excerpts 2005)'. The latter dance, 'Kudos', was a take from the Michael Jackson video, Thriller, and received a rousing applause from the audience, particularly the younger members. At this point, mention must be made of violinist Mark Stephenson, whose renditions of several popular reggae songs presented in the second half of the programme, had both the young and old rocking in their seats.
captured the imagination
Khulcha Dance Company, although newly formed, presented a varied repertoire that captured the imagination of the audience. 'Vibes of Africa' followed the opening piece and here we saw two young dancers, Jodian Anderson and Chevernese Smith, went through a fast tempo dance that might have been a little too long, as their energy levels waned in the latter part of the dance. Their overall performance, however, was good and their brightly coloured costumes did justice to the dance.
'Mirror Moods', choreographed by Russell-Smith, and 'Variations' choreographed by Cuban choreographer Auturo Castillo, followed later in programme and showcased the talent existing within KDC both from choreographic and performing standpoints. Special mention has to be made of two dances, 'Issues' and 'Oyumba'. Issues was a dance drama depicting the story of a young Christian girl who became pregnant and was initially rejected by her community that later saw the folly of their action and eventually came together to help the young mother and child - it takes a village to grow a child.
Many members of the audience later commented that they were touched by this dance as it depicted real life situations existing in our society today. The closing piece 'Oyumba' was a medium-paced dance done to a pulsating and catchy music score that virtually hypnotised the audience with its chanting and drumming. The costuming was excellent and the dancers performed well. The technical aspect of the show was very good, with lighting and sound executed by Plass Productions, a Mandeville based production company affiliated to Khulcha Dance Company.
keeping the network
Following the show, an elated Russell-Smith commented, "In this period, more than any other, we will need as artists, to network with each other and share experiences as we search for individual solutions, hence the 'fusion ' of having the National Dance Theatre Company, Movement Dance Company and the Stella Maris Dance Ensemble sharing with us on our gala presentation. The fusing of talents existing within these long-standing and experienced companies, with those of the new company members is awesome and displays a bright future for the unification and growth in the development of dance theatre in Jamaica. I would like to encourage my dancers to stay true to their craft and with God's guidance they will develop to be stronger dancers. I implore fellow dancers to give them your support and encouragement."
Many patrons were heard commenting that this was the best dance production staged in Mandeville and they would gladly pay to see it again.
