Jamaica Dance Umbrella (JDU), described as the largest dance festival in the English-speaking Caribbean, is set to take place at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts at the University of the West Indies-Mona, from March 1-5, 2017.

Michael Holgate, the founding director of JDU, notes that after nine years the event is living up to its mandate of building a platform for the local dance community to share and showcase its growth and development.

“Dance Umbrella really provides that space where the dance community can share with each other. It is an opportunity to expose young choreographers and really just gives the community a chance to see each other’s work. It is really the best of local dance companies and provides that opportunity for patrons who for one reason or another missed a performance to catch up. You get to see all forms of dance that are Jamaican on this stage.”

The festival opens on March 1 with a number of workshops conducted by local choreographers and dance practitioners, including Kevin Ormsby, Neila Ebanks, Marlon Simms and Renee McDonald, at the dance rehearsal studio at the Philip Sherlock Centre. This will be followed by the official launch of the festival on March 2.

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