COCO DANCE FESTIVAL 2024 will celebrate the amazing Caribbean dance pioneer, Garth Fagan, by hosting his company, Garth Fagan Dance, for two shows at Queen’s Hall.
Born and raised in Jamaica, Fagan is the choreographer and multiple-award winner of “The Lion King”, and one of his assistant choreographers, Natalie Rogers-Cropper – born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago – is now the executive director of the company. Rogers-Cropper, who, along with artistic director Norwood “PJ” Pennewell will be leading the tour, says that they are “thrilled to be participating in the COCO Dance Festival and sharing for the first time, the artistry of Garth Fagan Dance with the beautiful people of Trinidad and Tobago.”
It is also a departure from the regular COCO format of presenting several curated works from various choreographers from the region and beyond.
COCO co-director Sonja Dumas welcomes this approach to the festival this year.
“We think of this as a full-circle moment for these Caribbean dance artists who have made such incredible strides both at home and in the international performing arts world. It is truly a celebration of Caribbean excellence.”
The company, whose work has been called “life-affirming” and whose archives have been acquired by the United States Library of Congress, will perform on Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13 at 7:00pm at Queen’s Hall. They will also host a series of workshops for students as well as pre-professional and professional dancers.
Tickets are $150 per show and are available at Queen’s Hall, Paper Based Bookshop at 14 Alcazar St, St. Clair, Port of Spain; the COCO team and online at islandetickets.com. Group discounts are also available at islandetickets.
Photo of Garth Fagan: Matt Whitmeyer. All other photo credits: Erich Camping
For further information, kindly contact: Sonja Dumas – 788-1472; Dave Williams – 681-8070.
