The most anticipated event of the National Festival of the Performing Arts National Finals in the area of Dance, Deaf Dance will take place at the Little Theatre this Wednesday, April 27, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, and the Jamaica Association for the Deaf, Deaf Dance will showcase inspiring dance pieces from the deaf community, as performers compete to take home a national title. Deaf Dance is a part of the week-long celebration in dance, dubbed Dance Week, as the National Finals of the Festival of the Performing Arts enters its final week.
Tickets for Deaf Dance and other dance events during this week-long cultural showcase will be available at the gate at a cost of Adults $400, Children $200, with a special group rate being made available.
JCDC Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Stephen Davidson states “Deaf Dance is an annual favourite on our overall Performing Arts National Finals calendar, not just for the area of Dance.” He continued, “We expect our usual sizeable crowd this year as patrons come out to watch the performers showcase the cultural strides being made by the deaf community through dance, and enjoy wholesome family entertainment the JCDC is known for.”
Dance Finale
Mr. Davidson also noted that performers from across the island have been competing since Monday for national titles in the area of dance, namely in the categories: Creative Folk Modern Contemporary, Praise Dance and Popular Dance. The final day of Dance Week, which will see adult and professional studio groups competing will be held in two sessions: all non-adult dance studio performers will compete in the morning, beginning at 10:00 am, while all adult, studio and non-studio performers will compete in the evening, beginning at 5:30 pm.
In addition to the invaluable experience and talent development offered by this competition, performers have the chance to win attractive prizes including cash incentives, trophies and gift packages courtesy of the CHASE Fund, in addition to the opportunity to perform at national and celebratory events and private functions.
Special cash prizes and awards will also be given by sponsors Nestle Jamaica and the National Health Fund. Other sponsors of the National Festival of the Performing Arts – National Finals include: Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation, Excelsior, Happy Ice, Jamaica Association for the Deaf and LifeSpan Spring Water.
