Dance tribute to Boscoe Holder

Tomorrow the veteran dance company will open its 2008 season, Blanchisseuse - Dance...for the B Holder, with grand flair at Queen’s Hall with a gala night including a welcome cocktail reception and exhibition under the patronage of Holder’s wife and muse, Sheila Holder.

For this project, company founder and artistic director Noble Douglas joined choreographic forces with some of Trinidad and Tobago’s most talented and accomplished choreographers.

In collaboration with Heather Henderson-Gordon, Allan Balfour, Dave Williams, Sherid Mason, Arlene Frank and Norway-based David Byer, Douglas created a cabaret-style production paying homage to Holder’s legacy of creativity and art.

A veritable dance feast, Blanchisseuse - Dance...for the B Holder, will be performed by a decorated cast, including Charlene Harris, Louanna Martin, Denise Dickson-Cunningham, Charlene Rollock, Karla Gonzales, Kevin Jack, Sunil and Kwasi Romero.

The show - named after one of Holder’s most loved landscapes - features a diverse array of dance forms, live music and numerous authentic period costumes which were donated to NDDCI upon the artist’s passing.

Holder, an internationally acclaimed artist, musician, choreographer and dancer, shared a long, deep and fun-loving relationship with Douglas and NDDCI.

This relationship inspired him to create new paintings and remount some popular dance pieces from his international repertoire with the veteran company.

NDDCI was honoured to collaborate with Holder during its 1995 dance season Continuum, staging works showcasing Holder’s folk cabaret choreographic style accompanied by the artist’s singing and musical skills.

Blanchisseuse’s patrons will have the opportunity to view a select collection of Holder’s unsold pieces from the personal collection of art dealer and collector, Mark Pereira.

Dance and art enthusiasts can purchase tickets this month at a price of $200 for the gala opening and $150, lower house seating and $120, upper house seating for the Sunday performance. Part of the proceeds from the gala ticket sales will benefit the Noble Douglas Lilliput Foundation For The Arts. Tickets are available at Crosby’s Music Centre, St James, and from members of NDDCI or Queen’s Hall box office.