JÁNUKA’s first public performance was in April 2006 at the Nurses Association of Jamaica annual concert in Mitcham, South East London – an apt starting event because most of the original dancers were nurses.
The numbers of performances have been increasing each year with a grand total of 41 performances in 2012. We were particularly busy throughout 2012 because of the 50th Anniversary of Jamaica Independence celebrations and are enjoying a well-deserved break from performances at the beginning of 2013.
We are a growing group and believe we are going “from strength to strength” and appreciate comments from supporters such as, “I have seen you dancing from the inception of the group and it is a pleasure to see the growth.”
Who have we performed for?
We have performed for individuals, groups, communities and gatherings. We have participated in some events that have become annual occasions, such as Dances from Around the World, which is a key fixture in our diary, Lewisham People’s Day, and we recognise that during Black History Month we are particularly busy.
We are sometimes asked not only to perform for audiences, but to also lead workshops where others can actually take part in dancing. Generally we accept invitations to perform at:
- Church events and celebrations
- Birthday parties and Wedding anniversaries
- Community festivals
- Fundraising events
- Black History Month events
- Cultural and Diversity events
- Senior citizens events
- We have also performed at a Wedding reception and a
- Funeral reception.
Where have we performed?
We have performed indoors and outdoors. Sometimes we have to improvise when performing outside and the weather is not on our side! E.g. dancing under the sheltered area of McDonald in Mitcham Town Centre, in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. We have performed in:
- Churches and Church halls
- Community centres
- Schools
- Parks
- Town centres
- Shopping centres
- Hotels
- Colleges and University campuses
- The Guild Hall
- The Albany Theatre
- Lewisham Broadway Theatre
- Steven Laurence Centre
- Senior citizens centres/homes
Photos taken at some places where we have danced:
What about recent highlights of our performances?
I am sure if you asked each member of the group about their particular highlights there would be events and occasions not mentioned in this very brief talk. I am therefore going to mention a few that I think are particularly significant.
The first occasion, which I think the group would agree has been a wonderful highlight, was our weekend in Norwich in October 2011. We were invited by Casper James of “Culture Crossroads” (read Casper’s tribute to JÁNUKA) to participate in their Black History Month celebrations.
We did several performances in different venues. We spent a day in the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts at The University of East Anglia, performing and leading three family workshops which gave participants a taste of Jamaica through traditional songs, quadrille dancing and costume making.
People commented on the wonderful vibrant costumes of JANUKA dancers. Thanks to the hard work of our seamstress Jean Watson. It was wonderful to see how involved everyone, especially the children, who took part in costume making. Everyone had fun and learnt much – both us as facilitators and participants.
We also enjoyed amazing hospitality from Casper and his parents. Our group had a great time together over the weekend, getting to know each other better and learning more about ourselves as a group.
The next highlight is our engagement with senior citizens in residential care homes and day centres. Again we performed and led workshops in these settings. Watching the faces of some of the seniors gave so much joy.
For many Caribbean seniors watching us was an opportunity to relive distant memories prompting comments about being “transported back home” or “good to see the Jamaican traditions being kept up”. For some it’s nostalgia, for others it’s the vitality of the dance, the music and the colours of our costumes. Some seniors have limited movement but it has been just beautiful to see the enthusiasm with which so many joined in the workshops regardless of their mobility – using their whole bodies, arms only, swaying the body as they sit, however they can!
One workshop participant commented: “It was stylish and well organised and we all enjoyed participating. The contrast between the formal English style and the flamboyant African style was marked. Thank you so much.”
The 3rd highlight is last month when Black Cultural Archives invited us to lead an evening of quadrille involving performance, a question and answer forum and workshop. A full and tiring evening, leaving the venue at 11pm with work for some the following day! We had a very successful evening; we had the opportunity to talk about JANUKA and the fantastic audience participation in the workshop.
The organisers of the event commented: “It’s wonderful to witness the spirit of our enduring ancestors captured in the grace and beauty of JANUKA’s quadrille dance. Your efforts to preserve the rich heritage of our African Diaspora histories is valued and appreciated.”
The 4th and final highlight is our trip to Huddersfield on the 5th August 2012 to perform at a Jamaica 50th celebration. It was the Olympic 100 metres finals day. The group will remember this event with some mixed feelings. However, we danced well and were very well received by the audience, as one of the comments from an organiser indicates – “Your performance was much appreciated and your presence added some much needed gravitas and culture to our Jamaica 50th celebrations. Thank you.”
Are you thinking, what about the race with the Jamaican 3? Did we miss the race? Well we left Huddersfield and were travelling back to London, our minds preoccupied with whether we would actually see the race live or have to watch replays. Thankfully as the time of the race drew near we pulled into a service station, made use of the bathroom, located the TV, congregated around it, settled and watched the final. We made a whole heap of noise and enjoyed seeing Bolt and Blake get 1st and 2nd! We recovered our composure, got back into the minivan and continued our journey; excited, happy and proud to be Jamaicans.
As we launch our website it will be great to be able to keep you all informed about our performances. We look forward to wonderful things in 2013!
By: Sheila King – JÁNUKA Quadrille dancer