through the years Barbados’ dawn and rebirth

The chronicling of Barbados’ past and its bright future as a Republic will be told through various choreographed pieces at The National Independence Festival of Creative Arts’ (NIFCA) ‘Rebirth of a Nation’.

On Saturday, November 26th at 7 p.m. the Frank Collymore Hall will come alive with various selections showcasing the journey of our land’s growth, noting and comparing cultural and societal changes, similarities, and the lessons learned on our path to self-governance. 

“We have [dances] that talk about our soul, our human condition, our tribulations, our trials,” says co-artistic director of the event, Gina Mayers.

“We have some about our joy, our movement, like our soca, Crop Over, calypso and how that impacts our joy and love. Our religious roots and how that has built and grown us…We want to show the very diverse and rich culture [of Barbados] and how it has grown into it.”  

Weaving these pieces into a uniformed flowing story was a welcomed test for Shea Best, the other co-artistic director of the show. However, coincidentally, it parallels one of the sections of the presentation. 

“We’re looking at challenges at being a part of growth, and how we embrace that rather than shunning the idea. If you were to put the life of Barbados on a timeline and just look at events from slavery, then the Emancipation era, then Independence, riots etc. All along the way they were specific markers that are major markers to the people of Barbados, but we were able to overcome them.”

The event will highlight past NIFCA gold award winning pieces alongside new dance sequences, with prominent dance collectives like Dancin’ Africa, Pinelands Creative Workshop, Multifarious Dance Crew, Israel Lovell Foundation, Louise WoodvineDance Academy, UWI Dance Ensemble, the Barbados Community College and much more gracing the stage!

Since being selected by Alicia Payne-Hurley, Cultural Officer for Theatre Arts at the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), to orchestrate ‘Rebirth of A Nation,’ the creative pair expressed honour and excitement in executing the initiative, pouring their collective experience into a project celebrating their land. 

“This is very much a part of my growth and my development,” says Shea, a past NIFCA Prime Minister’s Award recipient who was awarded a scholarship to complete a Masters in Choreography at Leeds Beckett University.

“I am very happy to be involved, and I’m happy to feel like my input is valued. That is a major thing for me.”

Gina, also a past NIFCA participant, and graduate of the School of The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, agreed: “It is a very humbling moment. It feels very surreal in some ways. It is a full circle moment to come back to where you started and nowyou have this chance to show Barbados’ amazing talent, specifically in dance. Not only to other Bajans, but to the world because it is a global event.” 

Tickets for Rebirth of a Nation are Adults: $40; Children: $10 and are available at NCF West Terrace, CS Pharmacy, Digicel at Sky Mall and online and www.ticketpal.com For additional information, visit www.ncf.bb. (PR)