The Department of Culture today culminated an exciting week of auditions, throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands, for the formation of the Turks and Caicos National Cultural Group. Auditions were conducted in South Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales and Grand Turk with approximately 90 persons attending island wide.
The auditions were facilitated by members of the Ashe Group of Kingston, Jamaica. Founded in 1993 by the late Joseph Robinson of Turks and Caicos Islands. The Ashe Company is a non-governmental internationally acclaimed edutainment and theatre arts group.
After the completion of the auditions the Ashe performers staged a thrilling 90-minute performance at the Tourist Board’s Annual Kite Flying Competition. The performance included a variety of songs and dances, notably TCI local folk songs. It was the first time that that suite of songs and dances was performed before a live audience.
Director of Culture, Miss Ludwina Fulford, said; “The reestablishment of a National Cultural Group is an excellent avenue for our young people to get involved in positive cultural expressions. It was exciting to see the turnout of students throughout the islands. The children showed much enthusiasm in learning the dances and rendering their song and poem selections. Having the team from Ashe here brought nostalgic feelings to the audience especially those members who had trained under the direction of the late Joseph Robinson.”
Minister, Hon. Ralph Higgs was especially pleased to witness the group put on an impromptu show for him. He expressed warm sentiments to them and his desire to see a stronger relationship developed between the Ashe Company and the Department of Culture.
The group will be formalized within the next two weeks and presented to the local media along with the plan for its development.
