Kariamu Walsh-Asante (left) with costumed members of the Stella Maris Ensemble.

'We see this milestone 15th anniversary season as an opportunity to continue showcasing the region's rich cultural core - telling the story of the struggles and achievements of our people and of the cultures which have influenced and helped us create our own unique brand.'

- MoniKa Lawrence - artistic director, Stella Maris Dance Ensemble

The 2008 season of one of Jamaica's most innovative dance companies - the Stella Maris Dance Ensemble - will be staged next week, Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5, at the Little Theatre on Tom Redcam Avenue, St. Andrew.

The offerings will blend a distinct international flavour with the richness of Jamaica's own dance culture. This milestone 15th anniversary season of the ensemble will see a total of five works being mounted, including two new dances, Encounters, choreographed by Cuba's Abeldo 'Tokie' Gonzales, and Antebellum Blues, choreographed by noted contemporary dance choreographer and scholar Kariamu Welsh-Asante of the USA.

Antebellum Blues is a work set in the post-Civil War American South and, according to Kariamu Welsh-Asante, "is a portrait of ancestral memories and plaintive realities". The dance, which will be set on an all-female cast of dancers from the ensemble, focuses on young women who muse while sewing the ball gowns of their mistresses, who are the same age as the seamstresses.

"Although technically freed, these women can only dream or fantasise about wearing gowns like the ones that they are sewing, or of being in attendance at one of these events," the choreographer explains. This continues to be a reality of the lives of many, adds artistic director of the ensemble, MoniKa Lawrence, who pointed out that freedom does not necessarily equate to access.

'marvelously expressive'

The season's second new offering - Tokie Gonzales' Encounters - explores relationships between the sexes and is a modern contemporary piece which will feature "marvellously expressive" sequences by principal dancers Monique Spence and Roxanne Cornieffe, who will alternate as soloists.

Completing the season's repertoire will be a trio of dances choreographed by MoniKa Lawrence - the Jamaica National Building Society-sponsored Body Voices, which premiered last year; African Nite, which is also being remounted courtesy of JNBS; and the timeless Liza, which is based on the popular Jamaican folk song and is a constant crowd-pleaser.

According to MoniKa Lawrence, "Our ensemble has become known for pushing the envelope and for giving lovers of the dance opportunities to have a new and stimulating dance theatre experience each time they attend our presentations. We will not fall short of this in our 2008 milestone season, as we will present a variety of pieces which will take our audience through the gamut of emotions - from deep empathy to pure, unadulterated fun!"