LEFT: Black, green and gold were prominent at points, in accordance with the nationalistic spirit. RIGHT: Dressed in white, the dancers move to 'Holy Spirit Rain Down'. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Carolyn Johnson, Freelance Writer

If Christians have their way, there will be a new Jamaica, one where people's hearts and attitudes towards God and each other are changed as God gives increase in every sector of society.

This is what the senior department of the Praise Academy of Dance, the Christian dance organisation, prophesied in their seventh season of ministry, titled 'The New Jamaica'. The production was staged at the Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue, last weekend, after a gala performance the previous Wednesday night.

Varied dance forms

If this production is the forerunner for the new Jamaica, then there will definitely be some good times ahead. The production, which featured varied dance forms and genres including reggae, hip hop, jazz, ring games and modern contemporary, opened with the National Anthem, the prayer that guides our land.

The show opened at 'Keep Us Free From Evil Powers', with a solo piece entitled Sweet Jamaica, which asked that God's purpose for the nation be fulfilled. The production went through to 'Guide Us With Thy Mighty Hand', as they pledged allegiance to God, the full cast dancing to Prodigal's Fulfilling Our Destiny in one of the most exciting pieces of the evening. Dressed in black, green and gold the dancers formed the national flag onstage to loud cheers from the audience.

In 'Liberate Us' the dancers, bound around the neck, hands and ankles, were at first miserable and possessed, but as they became free their movements got more spirited and their energy lifted in accordance with their hope for the island. There was special mention of the environment, which saw the land suffering from pollution until it was cleaned and new growth started. The concept of this dance, which featured the different elements - land and trees, was extraordinary.

Feeling of calm

So too was 'Ignite Us Lord'. Dressed in white, decorated with sequins, the group danced to Holy Spirit Rain Down. The lights shone on the backdrop, which looked like rain, giving the set a feeling of calm, and as the dance finished the lights moved from the backdrop to cover the entire stage, representing the Holy Spirit moving over the island. This piece received some of the loudest applause for the evening.

The production featured 19 pieces and included the use of drama and audiovisuals with intermittent narration, though the last was not always clear. The costumes were appropriate and beautiful, with tights and bodysuits being avoided. There was also the obvious absence of many male dancers. The choreography and production team included Pat Noble (artistic director), Trisha Lindsay, Nicole Bain, Sharon Gordon, Patrick Earle, Roberta Daley, Sharma Hardy, O'neil Pryce, Ann-Marie Williams and Marcia Bailey.