The Caribbean Dance Company of the Virgin Islands (aka The Caribbean Dance School) celebrated 40 years of “preserving culture through dance” this weekend. They hosted a two-night recital at Island Center for the Performing Arts (a venue change from previous years at St. Croix’s Complex High School). The two and a half hour performance included dancers as young as three through adult students, and featured a variety of styles including ballet, tap and modern.
A cornerstone of the company is of course traditional forms of Caribbean dance, especially calypso. For this special anniversary, this year’s performance included several Caribbean dances the school has showcased over the years. These included “Ra Ra,” an impromptu dance that originates in Haiti. Dancers also performed “Bongo,” which is traditionally done at wakes in Trinidad and Tobago as a show of strength, virility and agility. There was also a popular tap tribute to the Broadway musical Hamilton (Alexander Hamilton spent his childhood on St. Croix). Young dancers were thrilled with the traditional curtain call, which includes a confetti drop.
Caribbean Dance Company is under the guidance of Director Monty Thompson, Artistic Director Curliss Solomon-John and Instructor Dr. Vanda Espinosa. Thompson choreographed many of the recital numbers, along with Instructor Kemit-Amon Lewis and others.
People who consider making the move to St. Croix are often concerned about limited extra-curricular activities for their children. Caribbean Dance Company is a testament to a storied, long-standing program on-island that offers a variety of classes to children (and adults) interested in dance. When your family is ready to move to St. Croix, contact The Farchette & Hanley Team to find the ideal home to rent or purchase. As the top broker on-island year after year, The Hanley’s are the authority on Virgin Islands real estate. Download the team’s free St. Croix Event Guide today to find an perfect time for an extended visit: