LDT Performer/Adviser Coreen Robledo organizes Dance Workshop in Benefit of Congo

Dance Workshop in Benefit of Congo Brazzaville w/ Guest Teachers When: Saturday May 5, 2012 From: 10:00 - 1:30pm Where: Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance 558 Fulton Street 2nd floor Brooklyn, NY 11217 Price: $ 30 (light snack after class) The situation: On Sunday March 4, 2012 homes and buildings collapsed and flattened in the capital of the Republic of Congo after an arms depot exploded due to a short-circuit which ignited a fire, the second since 2009, killed at least 300 people, injured around 1,500, and left 12,000 homeless. Many people were entombed and crushed under the rubble. The shock waves were so devastating that it ruptured windows in the neighboring capital of Kinshasa, which is separated from Brazzaville by the 3-mile-wide (4.8-kilometer-wide) Congo River. Now month’s later Ground zero is still filled with twisted metal, broken bricks, disfigured homes; and the Congolese people are filled with disappointment, anger, and despair. The people from Mpila are homeless with nowhere to go, and are malnourished. Congo is in need of our help. Liberata Dance Theatre Inc. in association with The UCRC, United Communities for the Republic of Congo is a network of artist, teachers, friends, family, and community established to raise financial aid for the people devastated by the recent tragedy in The Republic of Congo. We aim to build awareness, and assist in the efforts to supply food, water, medical supplies, and any assistance that can be given to families who are now homeless. As a united family we are coming together from different regions of the US (East, West, North, and South) to devise a special fund-raiser that will not only benefit those in Congo Brazzaville, but build stronger alliances with the communities that already exist. A picture is worth a thousand words, but the mere comprehension of what HAS happened and what IS to come is unimaginable. TOGETHER! UNITED! WE CAN! If you would like to contribute, like to attend, or have inquiries please contact: Eto'o Tsana Email: congo_dancer@yahoo.com More information and donation widget can also be found on the Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-UCRC-United-Communities-for-the-Republic-of-Congo/115499551825547 Donation link: http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?badgeId=115385

Celebrating LDT's Five Year Journey

*Celebrating L.D.T.'s Five Year Journey
2006 to 2011
Hosted by: Liberata Dance Theatre, Inc.
at
Joria Main Stage Theater
3rd Floor
260 West 36th Street
Between 7th and 8th Avenues
Midtown Manhattan, New York City.

December 2nd, and 3rd, 2011
Friday and Saturday evenings 8:00PM
Tickets $25 Donation 100% Tax deductible.

For ticket information or
Also to post an Ad in our program
contact: Samuel Sherrod

At: 212 971-6054 or 917 692-5492
Email: curaterra@aol.com
Web: www.LiberataDT.org

*This is a Fundraising Event that will include Video Projections,
Live Performances and Refreshments.

Pais Kòrsou, nos ta stimé?

Myrena Sint Jago, Artistic Director of Liberata Dance Theatre, Inc. recently got her poetry in the local newspapers in Curacao. If you can read Papiamentu/Dutch or would just like to see the article go to http://www.amigoe.com/ which is one of the newspapers carrying this article, look at Ingezonden and then find the article on the right side "Pais Korsou, nos ta stime?

This article and poem describes the issues related to the cleanliness or lack there of on the Public beaches and recreation areas in Curacao. The litter has become unbearable and there does not seem to be a system of maintaining a way of keeping it clean. The people cannot depend on the businesses, or sanitation departments to help, the only thing remaining to do is to change the culture and habits of the people to refrain from leaving their garbage behind, because that is where it will remain for weeks and months.

This is an example of the power of art to bring about change in the family, community and country. Art, when presented in a meaningful and thoughtful manner can be a political tool to encourage change throughout the world. In this case Myrena Sint Jago follows in the steps of the Poet Elis Juliana and many others from Curacao who inspired cultural enrichment via creativity.

(The updated drawing above is for a portrait painting of Myrena Sint Jago, a work in progress by Samuel Sherrod)

LDTCC's Summer 2011 Workshop Performance at Curacao's K - Center

Obra: “Konekshon 24/7, Di Bèrdè?”

di L.D.T.C.C.

ta presentá Un Anochi di baile, poesia, drama, músika i kanto

Luga: K - Center

Fecha: ougùstùs 21, 2011

Ora: 6:00p.m.

Entrada: fl. 15 pa adulto i fl. 5 pa muchanan te ku 12 aña

Pa Karchi por yama: 522-0125 & 465-8483,

tambe na porta

Fundraising

Liberata Dance Theatre Curacao Connection Foundation

Annual Retrospective June 2009-June 2010

Liberata Dance Theatre’s Activities from June 2009-June 2010 Last board meeting/party held before members left for their summer break.

Annual summer trip to Curacao for Myrena and Sam where they collaborated with the sister company, Liberata Dance Theatre Curacao Connection Foundation (LDTCC). As customary, dance classes were taught by Myrena and Laura Quast, actress/director helped with the dramatization of KONSTRUKSHON II. The ages of the participants (about twenty) ranged from 7 to 67 who happened to be a granddaughter and grandmother.

Space for the classes and rehearsals was again donated by Kolegio Chaya Willems, a neighborhood elementary school. Also, we were fortunate again to have the theater, Sentro Kultural Korsou (Cultural Center Curacao) donated as long as we made a small contribution to the theater. An updated version of KONSTRUKSHON (with some of the region and the world’s current events) was presented. We named it KONSTRUKSHON II. In addition, a poem honoring the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson was presented, praising his contributions to the world. The performance was well attended and a positive article appeared in one of the local newspapers . Sam filmed the event.

Myrena also collaborated with ‘Skol Nobo’ (New School) and was asked to work with about fifteen young people, ages 8 to mid 20’s. This school does wonderful work by teaching young people to become dynamic future leaders. The theme of our presentation was TULA, one of the main leaders of the biggest slave rebellion in Curacao, August 17, 1795. Myrena prepared a 15 minutes presentation of dance, poetry, music and a work written inspired by the strong qualities Tula possessed. The performers delivered the work with conviction and dynamism. The event took place in Luna Blou, a theatre in downtown Otrabanda (part of the capital of Curacao).

One of preparatory high schools, ‘Kolegio Omega’, invited Myrena to teach dance for two days during their introduction week (of the new school year). She used as themes positive qualities to become a successful student and responsible citizen.

The Artistic Director of the Caribbean Dance Theater Sandra Leonora, discussed with Myrena a possible collaboration for summer 2010; a multi-disciplinary work appreciating and respecting the four nature elements in respect to the island of Curacao. We visited different possible sites we plan to use for filming the piece.All by all another busy summer for some LDT members collaborating with LDTCC and other groups in Curacao.

In October 2009, planning for LDT’s First Annual “LUCY” Award Ceremony and Fundraiser Event was discussed. We decided on the WHOLE NAME the Alvin Ailey Dance Studio at The Joan Weill Center for Dance for February 6, 2010. Separate meetings were held and committees formed between October and February 2010 to accomplish the multiple task to make our event a success. Yesima Sherrod joined LDT as an advisor and offered some great suggestions to help make the event more successful.

(Photo right by: C. Stossel 2/06/10)

depicts: Myrena Sint Jago, Yesima and her Sister Jivani Sherrod at the Fundraiser

Myrena started to rehearse the dances and poem “LUCY=ALL OF US”, she wrote; (Lucy as the remains of the first woman found in Africa and the connection of all to that continent as life started there) for the Fundraiser Event. at the end of December, our annual Holiday celebration was held on West 34 Street and the members enjoyed themselves with food, drinks and gifts.




In January 2010 a few members of LDT met with Fred Johnson, Artistic Director of Intersections and the Director of ART THREAD to discuss a possible collaboration with his company (ART THREAD). LDT dancers will interpret the art created by children with different challenges by improvising the interpretation; the possible collaboration sounded very promising and healing.

February 6, 2010: our hard work paid off and the event was successful.

(Photos by: C. Stossel 2/06/10)

Catering by:Dee's Delights & Mistress of Ceremonies: Carrie See Yuen

We honored five people who were either active for decades in the field of performing arts and community service. They are the following;

Richard Gonzalez, dancer and Afro-Caribbean dance instructor,(Photo by: C. Stossel 2/06/10)

Luis Caballero, writer, actor, director and professor;

Luis, center with Sam Sherrod & Carrie See Yuen
(Photo by: C. Stossel 2/06/10)

Lynne Hayden-Findlay, opera singer, co-founder Chelsea Opera and teacher;

Sam, Carrie & Lynne
(Photo by: C. Stossel 2/06/10)

Fred Johnson, instructor, ……….. and Artistic Director Intersections,

Sam, Fred & Carrie
(Photo by: C. Stossel 2/06/10)

and Ingrid Charles, President of the Antillean /Aruban
Cultural Affairs Association, Inc. (AACAA).
(Photo by: C. Stossel 2/06/10)

Ingrid accepted the award for the AACAA that does wonderful programs for the youth and adults in the community, including annual scholarship luncheons, family days, Black History Month Celebrations . There was great food provided by Dee’s Delight. Entertainment was provided by LDT’s performers, dancers, Chelsea McLaughlin, Coreen Robledo, Lily Burd, actress Dianne Dixon; pianist Andy Monroe and Kevin Garcia, percussionists, Ron McBee and Dillan Greene, singer Autumn Greene and Myrena.

Fred Johnson, Artistic Director of Intersections became an advisor for LDT and we plan to collaborate on some future collaborations.
On March 6, Myrena was invited to participate by Fred Johnson to participate in his program “Melodies as Conversations”. Three more artists participated and together with LDT dancer Coreen Robledo, Myrena recited and danced on her poem “LIBERATA”, a poem honoring her late mother Julieta Liberata Sint Jago, as it was International Women’s Month celebration.

On March 22, Caroline Edwards, teacher, performer and Luis Caballero, actor, director, professor became the latest two board members. Carol-lyn Simon, graduate student, is also interested in joining us a board member and will come on board during the next meeting.

On May 8, Myrena Sint Jago with Carrie See Yuen danced at a mother Day’s Luncheon in the Bronx. Victor See Yuen and Fred Johnson accompanied them with percussions.

LDT is working on a proposal with the Children Art Carnival to develop a program helping adolescents gain job skills through improving body movements, language: a year long program in 8 week sessions.

On May 22, Myrena, together with Coreen Robledo and Frank West (guest LDT), dancer of Myrena’s scholarship days at the School of Alvin Ailey Dance Theater will perform in the Celebrating Diversity event in the beautiful Jackie Robinson Park in Harlem. This was a whole day event with a wide range of multi-dicliplinary performers, speakers and award ceremonies.

On June 6, a computer training conducted by Carl Reid, one of LDT's Advisers took place at Board member Carrie See Yuen's home in The Bronx.

On June 10, Myrena was invited to participate in the Caribbean Heritage Month Celebration at City Hall. She read parts of different sections of her work. She celebrated the beauty of her island of upbringing Curacao, the different role models, and a poem “To Haiti”

June 21 LDT’s mid-year party was held before everyone leaves for summer. It was held at Hanna Favelukes’ apartment. WE HAD GREAT FUN with food, snack and laughter.

On June 27, as part of another Caribbean Heritage Month Celebration, Myrena performed with three dancers from the Antillean Dance Company. We did two dances (music of Ced Ride and Doble RR) and the poem “To Haiti”. The choreography and poetry by Myrena. The event was held at the Tropical Paradise Ballroom in Brooklyn. It was a fundraiser dinner for Yvette D. Clarke, Congress woman and awards were given to the doctors who were the first responders to the crisis in Haiti, Different politicians attended the event including US senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The doctors were called “Heroes For Haiti “

"Obang Obama" Original Poem by Myrena Sint Jago