Dance – Page 2 – Petchary's Blog

Celebrating 50 Years of Jamaica-Mexico Friendship: Mariachi and Folk Dancing from Guadalajara

August 31, 2016

On Saturday, September 17 at 6:30 p.m., the Mexican Embassy will proudly present a most unusual and delightful performance at the Little Theatre in Kingston: the Mariachi Orgullo de Jalisco and the Guadalajara Dance Company. The performance will recognize fifty years – yes, a half-century – of friendship between Mexico and Jamaica – a very … More Celebrating 50 Years of Jamaica-Mexico Friendship: Mariachi and Folk Dancing from Guadalajara

The Ice Princess Rules Our Hearts: Turandot at the Met

January 31, 2016

My father’s mother was an emotional woman. My most vivid memory of her was enthroned on the sofa, propped up by cushions and Pekinese dogs, with a delicate handkerchief in one hand – her lower lip trembling. My grandmother was a well built woman, and the fragile handkerchief was completely inadequate for her size as … More The Ice Princess Rules Our Hearts: Turandot at the Met

And the Next Color Is … Pink (for Joy)

December 9, 2015

I attended another event with a specific hue this week (I love that word…hue). This time, it was pink. Laughter and music floated out from the venue as I approached. There was an atmosphere of celebration, and indeed it was… The Colour Pink Group’s early day-long celebration of International Human Rights Day – which, of … More And the Next Color Is … Pink (for Joy)

The Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre Rolls Out Its Programs

October 27, 2015

Did you know the Simón Bolívar Cultural Centre (on the corner of North Parade and Church Street in Kingston) is now open and offering a very wide-ranging program of educational and cultural activities for adults and children? Latin Dance and Latin Nights and Spanish classes for adults; a children’s program; music, art and craft classes; … More The Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre Rolls Out Its Programs

Very Special Children: A Visit to the S.T.E.P. Centre

October 6, 2015

It is a bright morning with an energetic breeze – the weekend’s rains all blown away. White butterflies from the lignum vitae next door bounce around in the wind. As I enter the S.T.E.P. Centre, the pounding of a Rihanna song reaches my ears. Nika, a blue-haired Dance School student, is getting the children moving. … More Very Special Children: A Visit to the S.T.E.P. Centre

New Year’s Day: Wednesday, January 1, 2014

January 1, 2014

It’s official! It’s 2014! And quieter than a Sunday in our neighborhood. The only excitement has been in the English Premier League, where my team Arsenal managed to cling onto the top spot again. Frequent flyers: The Gleaner has decided to get to the bottom of those overseas trips by government ministers that Jamaicans (including myself) have been … More New Year’s Day: Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Thrills in the Dance Class

July 19, 2013

It was a hot, breezy afternoon on Mannings Hill Road, Kingston. When I met dancer and educator Kofi Walker on the sidewalk, sweat was trickling down his temples. Summer is well under way. The long school holidays stretch ahead. Schools don’t open again until early September. And many Jamaican students do get involved in healthy, productive … More Thrills in the Dance Class

African Drums…Echoing Across Trench Town

July 17, 2012

Well, here I was at the “home from home” that is Trench Town Reading Centre – just over the road from the Trench Town Cultural Yard, where Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and others spent their formative years. And the drums reverberated from walls to ceiling and back again in the Centre’s community classroom. A sharp … More African Drums…Echoing Across Trench Town

African Postman: Bringing the Joy of Dance to Chad’s Refugee Camps

May 29, 2012

Number 3 in my daily series of news from the continent of Africa. Today’s story from CNN is about Chadian dancer/choreographer Taigue Ahmed, who is bringing the joy of dance to those marginalized persons living in refugee camps. Having enjoyed a wealth of dance in the past few days (and given Jamaicans’ great love of … More African Postman: Bringing the Joy of Dance to Chad’s Refugee Camps

Fascinating Stuff

April 21, 2011

Antonio Carlos Jobim, on his last album sings, his warm voice tremulous with age, Gershwin‘s old standard “Fascinating Rhythm.” His accent is a charming Brazilian/American mix. If I can find it to save on my Vodpod I will post it in this blog. Meanwhile, I am posting a marvelous video with the lickety-split Berry Brothers and the … More Fascinating Stuff