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Caribbean Dance Theatre (CDT) is an all female dance group, specializing in an array a African Caribbean dance styles. “Toute Baghai” would be the appropriate phrase to describe what this group has to offer; a little bit of everything. Tamla Matthews, the artistic director and choreographer of this group, uses CDT as her canvas, with which she illustrates her ideas, visions, and dilemmas of society. As a group though, Tamla’s choreography is more woman focused. The work in CDT reflects who they are as a group, which is subject change as groups and mentalities, members, or vibes alter.
This group is committed to artistic integrity and professionalism. Matthews explained that there is a certain amount of serious about who CDT is and what they do, which is important to convey to others when they go to perform. Caribbean Dance Theatre often takes on a political approach, to conflict the commercial “jump and wine” notion of Caribbean dance. CDT sees themselves as ambassadors of culture every time they go to perform, especially in a venue not familiar with what Caribbean dance has to offer.
In their Irie Music Festival website description of the group, Caribbean Dance Theatre says they “offer the opportunity to partake in an artistic Caribbean Canadian experience and develop a style of dance that honours our roots, celebrates our present and creates possibilities for our future.”1 Similar to Matthew’s personal work, CDT tends to depict a more contemporary look at Caribbean culture. For example, their piece Ooman, choreographed to a D’bi Young spoken word recording, speaks of all the negative things the black woman has gone through and still experiences in this day and age. At the same time though, sometimes their goal is simply to reenact the Caribbean-ness, more traditional aspects of the culture.
Rhythmix (1989), Kimoyo (1998), Essence (2000) and A Woman’s Worth (2002) are all major productions that CDT has either been a part of or produced. The group is currently preparing for an upcoming production in August 2004. Additionally the group has performed across Toronto, Western Ontario, and the USA.
View Caribbean Dance Theatre promo video (102 Megs)
For bookings, or more information about Caribbean Dance Theatre email m_tamla@hotmail.com or call 416-718-1748.
Footnotes
http://www.iriemusicfestival.com/dance/caribbean_dance_theatre.phtml visited 22/2/2004.