The Tribune

By CHESTER ROBARDS

crobards@tribunemedia.net

THE Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble concluded its final lap of a Caribbean tour in the Bahamas, during a Friday performance that riveted the large audience.

The 15 ballerinas and ballerinos received a raucous applause, after a performance that included music from Johan Sebastian Bach and James Brown, as well as Hip Hop and reggae inspired moves, and dancers in attitude en pointe, performing fouettes en tournant, and other classical moves.

The group was brought to the Bahamas by the Nassau chapter of the Links Incorporated. Ballerina Ingrid Silva, 23, from Rio de Janeiro, described the group as a neo-classical dance ensemble that brought unique dances to the Caribbean over the past month.

"The Caribbean area is amazing and they make us happy and dance more. We are coming back and showing these beautiful dances and these beautiful dancers. The energy is huge," said Ms Silva.

The crowd that gathered at the Atlantis theatre, which included Prime Minister Perry Christie and Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes, was especially moved by the performance to James Brown's 'I Got The Feeling'. Ballerino Davon Doane riled the women, thrusting his hips to Brown's 'Superbad'.

Keith Saunders, director of the dance ensemble, said the audience appeared to love every moment of the show, although he saw some "glitches".

"I'm a tough judge, but it was a good performance," said Mr Saunders.

He said the most important part of the ensemble's trip was the workshops the dancers held with children from local dance companies - more than 150 of them.

"It is important for the dancers, but also important for our mission," he said, which was to provide an enjoyable evening of dance theatre that was "inspiring and uplifting."

While the Dance Theatre of Harlem comprises mostly African Americans, Mr Saunders said, it is an international mix of multi-racial dancers. The troupe includes dancers from Brasil, China and Cuba.

Ballerino Taurean Green explained that the dance troupe received top-class hospitality in the Bahamas.

"We see how excited you all are having us here," he said. "We are excited to present for you."

Mr Green, who hails from New York City, said he and his fellow dancers absorbed the energy of the crowds they danced for across the Caribbean. He said they received energy simply from being in the Bahamas.

"It's always different, every country and every state we go to," said Mr Green. "The energy (in the Bahamas) is not just from the crowd; it's from being here."