The Academy Dance Poster

Beat, Mind & Alive

Beat Mind & Alive Association was created in July 2013 following a youth exchange in Graz Austria. This "Youth In Action" project about Hip Hop featured young professionals from France, England, Austria and Poland. This collective group of international artists joined together by music & hip hop have a passion for their art form and wish to share it with as many people around the globe.

Artists in BMA are skilled in a variety of pop-culture disciplines which include, Hip Hop, Rap, Djing, Dance, Graff, Beat making and Beat boxing etc. They wish to bridge the cultural gap between popular and traditional cultural expressions of arts through the individual and collective experiences of the group. One of the common thread of all the performers of the group is utilizing this art form as a medium for conflict resolution, improve communication and expression of self.

BMA activities include seminars, workshops, simulation exercises and live performances that includes parents and children. BMA look at the challenges youths experience such as juggling family life, school, peer pressures and trying to make decisions about what their professional life should be.

BMA is supported by the Youth In Action program of the European Commission. Promoting integration, cohesion and mobilization of European youths. We have been given the chance to explore further afield and wish to do so in the Caribbean starting with St. Martin, in the French West Indies. This would maximize our interest in cultural exchange. We want to continue to promote positive relationships between Europe and the Territories that boast rich and vibrant cultures.

BMA hope to visit St. Martin in February/March 2014 for a period of 10 days. This period will be used to develop a training program that focuses on the values and principles of hip hop, its origins, impact and benefits. The workshops are designed for children, teens and adults; so parents are invited to sign up with their children. The seminar will culminate in a performance and all participants are welcome to perform at the end of the period.

There will be two Jam Sessions that will include dance, singing, dj, the graff, draw, video, photography, beat boxing etc. In return we hope to share in the local knowledge of traditional dance, music and history of the island.

Persons and groups wishing to participate in BMA 2014 Seminar please send email to airpaasa@yahoo.com / tel: 876-942-9693 mob: 876-405-2800


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“An Evening of Young Artisans”

“An Evening of Young Artisans”
Golden Spring West Rural St. Andrew, on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at the Golden Spring Community Centre at 6:30 p.m. young people in the hilly terrains enjoyed Children as young as three years of age participated in the twelve week AIR & PAASA Foundation Saturday performing arts projected produced and directed by AIR & PAASA Founder, Kofi Walker, lecturer of School of Dance at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. Walker initiated AIR & PAASA to facilitate the development of the performing arts in West Rural St. Andrew. In September to November 2010 AIR & PAASA was first launched at the Mt. James All Age School with Safi Harriott who exposed the children to Oriental Belly Dance. The program “Air Your School,” involved seventy five performers including Dance Works and actor Webster McDonald of School of Drama at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. Other performers included dancers from the Tivoli Dance Group, Dunoon Technical High and the students of Mt. James All Age.

This year “An Evening of Young Artisans” used a similar format for the programming of AIR 2011; invited artiste Kimberley McKinson engaged twenty three youngsters from various communities of west rural St. Andrew, teaching ballet while Kofi Walker taught folklore to the younger dancers. Almost one hundred persons attended the event, thirty two young performers and sixteen persons altogether made up our production team.

The programme opened with prayer by Ms.Violet (Pansy) Nelson, Justice of the Peace followed by the Lord’s prayer in sign language. This was an interactive moment with a member of the audience while Jannel Ewing (a talented dancer and poet) signed with Mr. Kofi Walker.

The program was a series of poetry, mainly of Maya Angelou and a one piece from Louise Bennett’s Dutty Tough excellently performed by Patrice Notice. Visiting performers, Rachell and Shantell Biersay wowed the audience with A Taste of India. Shantell is the National Gold Medalist for Solo Dance Diva O’ Diva, which was also performed at the show. Shantell is one of the most authentic Indian dancer to have graced JCDC stage, say’s Jennifer Garwood, Dance Specialist.

One strong performer stood out among the local performers and that was five year old Mario Walter who was featured on Smile Jamaica TVJ with his rendition of “I’m a Little Boy from Golden Spring.” Dancers HQ Andrew Livermore, Omar Clarke and Miguel Burton from Port Maria, St. Mary was entertaining with their popular dance. Their music though was not suitable for such an event. Dunoon Technical had four students performing in this event. Featured this year were Ramon Barrett, Patrick Martin, Tamika Coke and Sydonie Johnson whose Afro- Caribbean dance solo was spirited.

The Junior Dance Department replaced Dance Works in this event featuring Gia Anderson and Brittany McLean in the duet movements and lines. Both girls performed with grace to a piece of music they were hearing just for the first time. Shari Howell of Pro Moves Dance Company performed a solo which was earth bond and eye opening for many of the audience.

The Community Safety and Security Department was present for this event. We were happy to have had Constables Tammar Green and David Chambers on site. Our parents who were very involved behind the scenes ensured that children had refreshment in the evening. Many thanks to First Global Financial Services, INC Limited, Ingrid Anderson, Paula Shaw, Hearts and Ideas, the Golden Spring Community Center, United Brethren Church and all our sponsors.

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Early Childhood Dance and Theatre Arts

What the project is
Artistes in residence and Performing Arts after School Activities (AIR & PAASA) Early Childhood Dance and Theatre Arts (ECDTA) include a selection of schools in Kingston and St. Andrew that generally enjoy the challenge and excitement of preparing their students to have a holistic education. Participants are trained in preparation for involvement in school programs and also in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Dance Festivals and other areas of the arts depending on the program being delivered.

Now In its second year, AIR & PAASA has two groups of early childhood dance theatre programs in Kingston. Over the summer many of the children between the ages of 2 to 13 years, worked with project coordinator Kofi Walker in dance and will continue to do so over the academic year. The aim is to bring high quality performances into the venues and provide opportunities for children, staff and families to participate in creative activities and experiences .The project also offers training for artists and early years’ practitioners. This year, AIR & PAASA will continue to deliver unique arts opportunities to early childhood programs and also develop the network to reach new groups of children and families.

This academic year is underway, plans are for a school parade in west rural St. Andrew. On December 3rd, 2011 revelers from the Mt. James All Age School will March from Mt. Prospect to Mt. Airy where a performance will ensue. December 7th, Rosedale Basic School will be having their end of term Christmas concert and the Jamaica House Basic School date will be confirmed later. We hope to involve all schools in these events. Parents please complete the slip on page 2 to receive regular update by email.

More about the AIR & PAASA ECDTA
Due to challenges faced by this association, our team is supporting two of the three schools we are currently networking with. AIR & PAASA engage independent artistes to work in our existing arts program in Kingston and west rural St. Andrew, they are required to make recommendations on how to further develop and improve this practice. My report highlighted the enormous potential for the arts to enhance the quality of life for rural communities. Despite this report and numerous grant applications, I have not procured funding to enhance our rural arts program for our activities for this academic year.

Strengthen, Sustain, Expand
The main objective is to strengthen, expand and to help sustain arts activity within rural and urban communities; with a focus on west rural St. Andrew that has little or no building based arts infrastructure. To provide a programme of professional arts activities (e.g. performances, workshops, training) and to support the communities involved in developing structured arts activities. The ECDTA is one of few similar schemes operating nationally. The ECDTA is run by AIR & PAASA Foundation, a registered company of Jamaica. Currently the schools that are a part of our forum are:
Jamaica House Basic School
Rosedale Basic School
Happy Hearts Prep School
Mt. James Primary School
Stony Hill Prep & Learning Center
YMCA - Kingston

I anticipate two new partners in the coming months. Also the JCDC dance workshops are coming up in Port Maria and Portland so check with your JCDC local offices for info re the workshops.

Mini Theatre Arts Network
AIR & PAASA hopes to develop a Mini Theatre Arts Network of early years schools who come together to deliver theatre, dance and music performances and workshops for very young children. The Mini Theatre Arts Network is a new idea, hence I would like parents to assist with the production of this to ensure the best outcome. Through AIR & PAASA the Network has 3 schools 1 in west rural St. Andrew and 2 in Kingston. As we expand this program we hope to involve early year's departments of schools, children's centres, nurseries, child minders and play groups. The performances and activities are specifically created for children aged between 2 - 6 years. The Mini Theatre Arts Network will deliver performances twice a year. As this program develop, we hope to include a festival of early year's theatre and at least one piece of work from an artist or company from culturally diverse background.

One day from each residency is set aside as an inset training day. The visiting company / artiste deliver a day’s training to early years staff and practitioners to help explore and develop skills in using performing arts within their own programmes of early years work.

Rural Youth Project
The rural youth project in Golden Spring is at a halt. Relations with centre coordinators soured after stolen items belonging to AIR & PAASA were not returned as promised; in addition to this, there were a number of other safety issues. This is unfortunate as the youth group ‘Progressive Dancers’ were beginning to attract interests among other youngsters in the community. The younger children will have to wait for January to see the revival of this particular activity.

Artists in the ECDTA
AIR & PAASA is in the process of creating new partnerships with independent arts workers and organizations with an interest in arts education. We are looking to work with musician, writers and youth workers, who will assist us in delivering theatre, music, dance and live literature. Companies and individuals wishing to submit an interest in joining this network should contact me on the numbers or email address below. Joining our team this year are dance teachers Mr. Verman Thomas and Ms. Maxine Buntam both are based at the Jamaica House Basic School, Tamika Coke will join the Team at Rosedale Basic School.

Mentoring Project
AIR & PAASA ECDTA is introducing a mentorship scheme in partnership with Dunoon Technical High School; one or two students from Dunoon Technical who have been participating in our rural dance theater programs will be given an opportunity to work with our early childhood dance and theatre arts program. Tamika Coke is selected as the current mentee for AIR & PAASA 2011/12 activities.

Contact Details
To contact us about the program or related projects please contact Kofi Walker or +876 405-2800 or email airpaasa@yahoo.com

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AIR YOUR SCHOOL 2010_0001.wmv

T.G. Dance Company from Blockades and Curfews to the Stage

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Talent Has No Status!

Saturday July 10^th, 2010

Arriving at the Little Theatre an hour before the start of Potpourri, Tivoli Dance Troupe 19^th Year in Concert, I scooted back stage to greet the leaders and dancers wishing them the very best with the superstitious line “dancers break a leg…” after a short token gesture of help; I plastered three different colour eye shadow on two dancers, then seek an escape to see the preparation for the Gala Performance. Gathered in a semi-circle, the older dancers faced Jennifer Garwood as she led the prayer. The dance mistress swooped passed me to catch the end of the reverence and I could not help but to notice her oversized rear-end; I commented on the brightly coloured costumes, (to avoid saying something cheeky) how bold they were, trying not to shout, she replied instantly “That’s how we are; Wi Bold, Bright and a jus suh wi bring it!” True to her words, the cocktail of dances offered were vibrant and enthusiastic. Jamaican folk, modern, popular forms such as Latin, Asian and West African dances were the mélange of dances presented this season by some of Kingston’s finest choreographers.

Potpourri included 21 pieces of which 3 featured guest choreographers Toki Gonzalez, Paula Shaw and Tamara Thomas. The other 18 pieces were created by the choreographic team headed by Roberta Daley, along with Charmaine Blake, Subrenia Gabriel and Kerry-Ann Lawrence. The programme opened with a collection of gospel dances, featuring the seniors, juniors and toddlers (Tiny Tots), my glance around the theatre revealed more empty seats than audience…; this concern quickly became insignificant, you know how we Jamaican’s like to be fashionable late…! True to their motto and as they demonstrated back stage, this company exercised their 3D’s; the show started on time and before the end of the Gospel ensemble the house was practically full.

‘Ecnad’ illuminated by the bright green back drop featured dancers in patterned green unitards and hoodies, this coupled with the movement vocabulary gave the dancers a reptile fashion look and they moved with the same agility, flexibility and dexterity. This was followed by Paula Shaw’s Indian Dance ‘Leh Wi Go Shieh.’ I pondered if the piece was Khathak, I decided it was not and I could not place what genre of Indian influence this piece was, nonetheless the six dancers Raxanne, Janielle, Monique, Lariesha, Anita and Renice executed it with a delightful and spicy Jamaican flavor. We move our waistline differently to the Asians, anything (oriental and you name it) brought to Jamaica is amalgamated into a Jamaican form, producing an interpretation that becomes synonymously Jamaican, pretty much as colorful as our oral language. The dancers were true testament of this in this piece.

I really enjoyed ‘Mundanza’ with dancers Lutrisha, Petagaye, Anita and Sharmalee. Having seen this piece at the JCDC (Jamaica Cultural Development Commission) festival competition, the dance allowed me to hark back to experiences not long passed, chronicling images that could be spun many different ways. The dancers work with such cohesiveness that you felt energized by the lyrical notes of the movers on the stage, accompanied by pre-recorded African rhythms. The programme notes did not acknowledge the music used in the show and should be considered. ‘Proclaim’ the Nyabingi item performed by the juniors had quite an impact with the people in the audience, me included. The progressions and transitions were smooth, the dancers though rehearsing since 9:00 am, danced this high energy piece with undulating torsos, grounded circular motions of the hips, gliding effortlessly across the stage in what seem a well deserved euphoria.

While Toki’s ‘Latin Dance’ duet failed to bring to potpourri, that added luscious Latin aroma needed in this cultural mix from the Conquistador’s perspective, Tamara Thomas’ “Manjani” spoke to the heritage of Jamaican dance. This African number is costumed in traditional African garments, powerful orange and floral red, a puffy short pants… we were later privy to the secret of the puffs… news paper… “talk about being creative and tun u hand and mek fashion.” This costume echoed the piece she created for the Junior Department for the Edna Manley College 2010 year end production. It brought volume to the programme, and these costumes billow out with the movement, making the dance that much more pleasurable to do and to see.

Of the 11 items that made up the first half, it was the Tiny Tots who had the house in uproar. 14 little dancers graced the stage with hola hoops, dancing with props can be quite technical for adult dancers, let alone 4 and 5 year olds, however the child whose hoop kept coming apart, showed determination to the very end, she not only fixed her prop several times, but maintain focus with the dance. Subrenia Gabreil must be commended on this piece as the little ones showed that choreographic elements can be taught and retained by the very young. The first half ended with “Our Voices,” this evocative dance addressed the plight of women, families and most importantly our FREEDOM to move and to DANCE; with no evidence of the male support on stage… this echoed the recent unrest in Tivoli Gardens which left a void (of the supportive male figure) due to tragic circumstances, the tone contemplative and over the music “We shall overcome… someday!” the director could be heard reading the poem “Let Me Dance…!” This was thought provoking!

The second half was powerful but not as strong as the first half. ‘Folk Parade’ mirrored the opening with a medley of dances from seniors, juniors and the Tiny Tot in reverse order followed by a finale by all the groups fusing choreography, costume and movement, creating a colourful montage. As with the opening, there are little or no choreographic transitions between groups and music sharp edits noticeable. ‘Bonded’ was my least favorite… and I was not that awed by ‘Wings of Wind,’ but my friend Wendy loved it, she too was seeing the dancers live for the first time. ‘Candee’ however put the wind back into the show as the bright pink wigs bobbing from the line of the check bones, with floral pink spandex tops, black nylon stockings, jazz shoes and a few accessories pink feathered bracelets, this was flawlessly performed with passion and emotion and all that Jazz!

Nikeeta Johnson solo ‘Homage’ choreographed by Roberta Daley is a powerful piece. Nikeeta is an exceptional dancer and given the opportunity, I pray she will continue to excel in this idiom. I felt that this piece using the poem and song of Maya Angelo’s “Phenomenal Woman” could be enhanced with multimedia (projected images) of Women who are contributing to the development of Tivoli Gardens, such as educators, social workers etc; without distracting the audience from the piece so much. As she performed I recollect her mother saying at JCDC; “… come unu hurry up; mi want fi si mi daughta perform and wi haffi get back inna Tivoli Gardens before di 6 o’ clock curfew… suh unu hurry up! This thought also had me thinking about my journey and how lengthy the show was. The tiny tots were again on stage this time clothed with national colours in their dance number ‘Hot Little Ladies.’ There was also a sense of cleansing and national pride to see these young babies dressed in the national colours, two of the T-shirts read, “I am Jamaican,” the other “Big Up”! I could not help but to regress to the recent unrest and how this impacted the lives of these little dancers and yet still with limited cognition of what had went down, they were out on stage with smiles, determination and concentration that you could read from your seat.

Chic Ahoy is a super dance. The blue, red and white sailor suit costume with black Jazz shoes was one of the seniors’ strongest numbers in the 2^nd half. This handsomely costumed dance, coupled with the seniors exuberance picked up the maritime beats and references in the music with clockwork precision. Charmaine really stood out in this piece, and there is much to be said about heavy dancers with strong stage presence and unequalled energy. As I praised her from the back of the audience an affiliate of the group pointed out that the dancer next to Charmaine is in the 6^th form at St. Georges College; I belief she wanted me to note that several of their dancers are also academic achievers. I also noted that there were dancers who were parenting young babies. It was touching to see one of the young dancers reassure her child that she was going on stage and expected good behaviour from her child while she is performing.

On two occasions strobes were used in the show the 2^nd instance is in ‘Gotta Dance’ presented by the ‘Tiny Tots’, the dancers clad in suspenders, plaid black and white ¾ pants and red berry, bring to life the laid back era of “rock steady and ska.” I would caution the use of strobe lights in shows, as a dancer myself, I can see when it is used to mask artistic flaws or when it is being used artistically, in this instance it was obfuscated. The audience should be duly informed when using strobe lights.

‘Fi Wi Lick’ was the senior’s final popular dance item before the finale Potpourri . Potpourri presented the audience with what seem a new innovative way of doing the May Pole… without the pole. The ribbons were black, yellow and green, the recurrence of the national colours and the statements such as “I am a Jamaican” spoke to a greater collective thinking of Tivoli Gardens community and their ambassador dancers. The dancers did not appease the anticipation of the audience… there was no pole and the platting muddled. Whether this was fortuitous or not, it was a compelling and a wanting end! Though I left the show feeling thoroughly entertained, I felt that the story was incomplete…! The pole was missing and the platting incomplete; were they mirroring the politics of the day? This is good argument why the arts is so important to us? Let us dance and let them (the audience) ponder…! In the end, it is with the dance we achieve the three D’s; Discipline, Determination and Dedication and that is transferable skill in any field…; that’s how we break down barriers!

T.G. Dance group was established in 1977, I believe the founder and former Principal Grace Hamilton saw the writing on the wall; could they have foreseen that this initiative some 30 years later would continue to be one of the most influential medium with which this community remains vocally and lyrically strong? Speaking without a voice…, indeed these are some intelligent, astute and very competent dancers and artists; this is clearly demonstrated on and off stage. Challenges faced on staged was swiftly and quickly dealt with by young and old. The question remains how do these “wonderful and Talented Jamaican Children” coexists within and survives a political minefield, a volatile war zone? From the blockades to the stage, these dancers totally ripped the stage up and there was no need for bullets! Instead the sound of approval came with thunderous applause, laughter and a sigh of relief that they are again able to dance. Talent really has no Status…!

Congrats again Tivoli Gardens Dance Company after 34 years you are still the beacon of light that promote the wonderful and talented children of west Kingston Jamaica.

Kofi Walker

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