Jackson flying SVG flag high regionally in dance

Once again, Norlan Jackson has flown the Vincentian flag high, as she represented the country at Grenada’s 10th Biennial International Dance Festival.{{more}}

Held from May 29 – 31, the Festival saw regional participation from Cuba, St Maarten, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad, Martinique and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as local dancers.

Jackson performed two solo dances, ‘Darkness’ and ‘Hide and seek’ – both of which she won gold medals for at SVG’s Kingstown Cooperative Credit Union National Dance Festival earlier this year. Both of which went down well with the Grenadian crowd.

The Performing Arts teacher related that she had been contacted by the Organising Committee of Grenada’s IDF, who requested that she perform at the event. She related that the experience had been “awesome” as she got to network with dance groups from across the region, and, of course, she had the chance to give them a taste of Vincentian talent.

Moreover, Jackson conveyed her surprise at how developed the dance/performing arts sector is in Grenada. “I can only hope that things here improve to that level eventually,” she pointed out. With her trip to Grenada fully covered by the Grenada Ministry of Culture, Jackson was most grateful to those involved for the opportunity afforded to her.

During her stay, Jackson was invited to take part in a dance exercise session put on by the Cuban delegation, and she was reunited with a group from Martinique who staged a hip hop dance workshop in SVG in 2008.

Although she would love to attend the Festival again next year, Jackson has other commitments that may not permit it. Next month she will be leaving for New York to study Fine and Performing Arts at Queensborough College – something she is eagerly anticipating.

Last weekend, Jackson performed with the rest of her dance group Arabesque at its first production, ‘Cabaret’. It took place at the Peace Memorial Hall on Saturday and Sunday, June 13 – 14.

Jackson has a message for all Vincentians who have a keen interest in dance and the performing arts. “Keep dancing! Keep striving for excellence!” She urged them all to pursue their dreams and not let anyone or anything derail them from that ambition. “Have a vision and be that vision!” (JSV)