Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer

Tamaria Reid leads the Arnett Dance Troupe at the JCDC's Dancefest, held at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road, on Friday, July 28, 2006. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Despite the violence that grips Kingston's inner-city areas, many of its citizens continue to dare to dream, to live their lives that are often violently interrupted and, in the case of Arnett Gardens, they dare to dance.

The Arnett Gardens Dance Troupe is one of the elements that continue to give the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission its raison d'etre, its commitment to unearthing excellence. Over the past three years the troupe, currently led by Tamaria Reid, has been producing some very interesting work, and features dancers like Marvis Johnson and Dwayne Fullwood who show great promise.

The Gleaner spoke with the troupe's choreographer during the third day of the JCDC's National Dance finals. Reid also dances with the Stella Maris Young Adult Dance Ensemble and is engaged in a few teaching positions at Mona High, Jessie Ripoll and Excelsior primary schools, along with her leadership of Arnett Gardens Troupe.

Reid explains that she has been dancing for as long as she can remember, and even used to dance with the Tivoli Gardens Dance Troupe before she began living in Arnett Gardens. Four years ago she took over leadership of the troupe and hopes to do much more for her community through dance.

She explains that a part of her desire is to generate more positive engagement with the young in the inner city through dance. "People look at Arnett Gardens as like the worst place, but there are some good people, some talented people there," she said.

So Reid expresses great commitment to her troupe which, interestingly, features mainly male dancers. She explains that only her "boys" are professionally engaged with dance, as the women tend to come out only when you ask them to. She admits that as she is approximately the same age as many of her dancers, sometimes they forget who their leader is.

"Sometimes they seem to overlook me," she says, "but when I really lose it and start yelling they calm down and know that I'm in charge." Additionally, Reid explains that the most important thing is the level of trust that exists. She says that this trust is particularly important when it comes to routines that involve lifts.

The dance 'Guardian', one of their entries in this year's competition, highlighted the dangers of those often fantastic lifts that excite dance fans. Reid was almost dropped at least twice. "My heart dropped," she said. Yet, she says that her faith in her boys remains unwavering. "I trust my boys," she said. "I'll jump as high as they want me to."

With a laugh she said that she is confident that they will do better. "I'll send them to the gym," she said.

Sometimes the war is hectic

Of course, a battle of wills or the fear of falling is not the greatest challenge the troupe has to work against. They have to constantly do battle against the nature of our society. Violence can often pierce gaping holes in their rehearsal schedule, Reid admits. "Sometimes the war is hectic," she says. "Sometimes we can't go to class, but when we can we do what we can."

Additionally, not all her dancers are from Arnett Gardens, but with the exception of four boys who live in Constant Spring, Reid explains they come from different inner-city areas. The garrison divide therefore brings further complications for attempts to rehearse.

"When gunshot a fire you have to stay over one side until everything quiet," Reid explains.

The troupe rehearses at the Charlie Smith Comprehensive campus, and Reid points out that the dancers have benefited from 24-hour police presence.

Despite the interesting work that the troupe has been producing Reid explains that the JCDC is the sole highlight of their work, as they have not been invited to participate at any other functions. Reid hopes to change this.

Additionally, the troupe has to battle against dance stigmas. Reid argues that she would like to change that. "I want them (the society) to see people and not animals. I want them to see the boys as boys and not see them as gay," she said.

Essentially, she would like them to get the same respect that is showered on footballers.