Paula Lindo – Our histories, stories, present, future.

Danse Caraibe’s recent show, PatchWork, encompassed a wide range of styles and themes. The event, held on December 2 at Queen’s Hall, was directed by Artistic Director and Principal Heather Henderson Gordon and featured a wide range of choreography.

Published in the T&T Guardian on December 18, 2018

Choreographers included Henderson Gordon, Arlene Frank-Collis, Takiyah Springer, Matthew McLean, Michael Mortley, Kelsey Des Vignes, Makeba Gabriel, Curt Alexander and Gregor Breedy. The dances presented were Freedom, Friendship – Pajama Party and Loyalty to Your BFFs, Illuminous, From Then Till Now, In the Dark, Unity – Sister’s Keeper and One Sound/Unity, Positive Dreams – Queens and Princesses and Sea, Sun and Surf, Portrait of T&T, Having Faith, Tradition, Love, Happiness, Valhalla, Beauty After Destruction (B.A.D.), Confidence, Harmony and Mezcla.
While some dances took a look at themes such as friendship, happiness, positivity, unity, harmony, love and faith, etc., others, like Mortley’s In The Dark and Dos Santos’ Portrait of T&T, told stories which unfolded through dance and music. In the Dark portrayed “a state of ignorance that symbolizes an emotional response to an absence of light. Underneath all the issues, the light and dark are very simply to do with one’s special point of view”, while in Portrait of T&T, Dos Santos explored patriotism and some of the issues currently occurring in T&T. The dance began with a daughter and mother arguing and as they go through their day, they see a woman being robbed by a gangster who is then chased by police, a drug addict, a protest for higher wages, someone taking photos of an accident victim instead of helping, a politician handing out , mother and daughter reconcile, T& T flag, pan “The spirits of T&T remind us of a brighter tomorrow and show us the change we need to make within ourselves for a better country. Red – the fire and courage, Black – the earth and dedication and White – water representing purity and equality.”
The two dances in the Positive Dreams series, choreographed by Henderson Gordon, were performed by very young dancers, and had the audience exclaiming at their cuteness. Queens and Princesses featured tiny girls in white princess dresses and ballet shoes, like little fairies on stage, while in Sea, Sun and Surf they hula danced in Hawaiian skirts, looking like real life Lilos from the movie Lilo and Stitch, which provided the background music.
Springer’s From Then Till Now took a look at the evolution of Hip Hop through different eras. Springer, along with McLean, also choreographed the dances of the Super Saturday’s Varsity Crew, who were the winners of the 2018 T&T World Hip Hop Dance Championship. Those dances were high energy and showcased modern hip-hop styles, including beatboxing, breakdancing, flipping and others. Other dances which used non-modern dance styles were Sister’s Keeper, which use tap dancing, and Tradition, which showcased the limbo dance, including drumming and chanting, and lighting the limbo poles on fire. The audience applauded and screamed vociferously when the final dancer made her way under the double flaming poles.
Some dances explored different aspects of culture, both local and international. Frank-Collis’ Valhalla explored the Viking tradition of Heaven, where warriors were taken by Valkyries after dying in battle and Henderson Gordon’s Harmony incorporated elements of Japanese culture. The final piece, Breedy’s Mezcla, looked at the cultural melange of the people who lived in T&T during the Spanish reign. He incorporated Indigenous dances, flamenco dancers, the quadrille, cowboys, maypole dancing, drumming and parranderos.
In her Director’s note, Henderson Gordon paid tribute to the memory of former Queen’s Hall Stage Manager Todd Hill, saying “Todd contributed his life to the arts. He was a calm, simple, disciplined, honest, trustworthy and loyal person. I thank him and honour his quiet strength and loyalty.”
She said the themes expressed in the show spoke to the youth at the school and the community at large. “It is becoming even more difficult to reach youth in a way to which they can relate. This production does not only present a theme, but gives our youth a chance to express their talents. Keeping them involved in an activity encourages teamwork, communication skills, confidence and respect.”