Stella Maris dances into quarter century

Stella Maris Dance Ensemble's 25th season of dance, held at the Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue, on Saturday, was a kaleidoscope of a practical set, effective coloured costumes, precision dancing, masterful choreography, powerful messages, and great drama.

The enthralling evening began with 'Sankofa -Ja' (2014), choreographed by Dr Kariamu Welsh Asante an illustrated celebration of movements "all the way from Africa". The dancers convincingly conveyed that they, too, understood, as they pointed and flexed in and out of each formation effortlessly. So did Denise Francis-Robinson's brightly coloured costumes.

MoniKa Lawrence, artistic director of Stella Maris Dance Ensemble, has shown that she has found dance drama irresistible. Thus, it was not surprising that most of the pieces on the programme were of the genre. These included the two premiered for the season, Orville Hall's choreographed 'Scandal Bag', a tribute to Buju Banton, and 'The Vow', choreographed by Renee McDonald.

Hall, his dancers (from the ensemble, along with Dance Xpression), and set designer Soud Barnes worked in tandem to deliver the story of Banton's popular song Deportee. But Barnes, as the costume designer, may want to review her choice of costumes for the last motif.

TRUE STORY

McDonald seemed to have abandoned her tendency for the surreal style of dance for the realistic. "It's based on a true story, except the marriage," she shared with The Gleaner. The dance drama is a love triangle involving two women and the husband of one. It is a common storyline, but the truthfulness in the dancing of Gavin Hart, Meisha Harris and Ashleigh had the audience fully involved. They admired the couple and condemned the infidelity aloud, with a crescendo of tumultuous applause at the end of the dance. McDonald must also be credited for costuming 'the other woman' in red, suggesting danger.

The audience was treated to the first of three choreographed by Lawrence in the last dance of the first half of the programme. It is titled 'The Potter' (2010) and was choreographed with Patsy Ricketts as a tribute to the late Rex Nettleford. From the use of space, costumes and set to the execution of the choreographer's concept by the dancers, 'The Potter' was spellbinding.

So was 'Manifesto', choreographed by Dr Kemal 'Kibon' Nance. The message of loving your blackness was not only delivered through the choreographer's movement of the talented dancers from Stella Maris Ensemble and The Nance Collective, but in Atira Robinson's costume design and the lyrics of the song.

The fine concert ended with another dance drama. 'Liza' (2002), also choreographed by Lawrence. The dance explores the folk song with the same title. The strong humour and dramatics were convincingly performed by all. Led by Monique Spence (Liza) and Gavin Hart (boyfriend), the principals were believable.