The Jamaica Dance Umbrella (JDU) concluded its latest edition with resounding success, drawing praise from participants and attendees from across the region for its breathtaking performances.

Held annually, the event showcases the diversity and talent within the dance community, featuring notable acts such as L’Acadco: A United Caribbean Dance Force, NDTC, DTX, CDT, Movements and The Ashe Company.

This year’s staging of the weekend-long event took place March 7 – 10 and included dance companies from outside the region, including an appearance of Danae and Dionysios, an internationally touring dance duo from Greece, who appeared courtesy of Project Hummingbird Limited.

Speaking with Our Today, JDU Festival Director Micheal Holgate shared his thoughts on the event.

“This staging of JDU adds to its legacy of excellence that it continues to foster and proves that it can stand as a beacon of inspiration that showcases the hard work of dancers. Since its first staging in 2009, the JDU has reaffirmed its commitment to unity, progress, and excellence within the dance community and has created a platform that a whole generation of dancers have now grown up with,” said Holgate.

Principal Dancer at CDT, Andrew Bailey, said: “I think this staging was a great success, I think all the companies did well and gave a great showing, I think L’Acadco and CDT did especially well. Compared to previous stagings, I can confidently say every company has levelled up their performances and the high turnout reflected that.”

“The industry took a big hit because of Covid but now I can look at it and say that we’ve recovered to the pre-COVID levels and it’s good to see so many new faces coming out to support us,” he continued.

Outside of dance performances, the event also featured workshop opportunities for dancers at all levels in various genres, as well as junior competitions and an honouring ceremony for L’Acadco: A United Caribbean Dance Force, for its work as an ambassador for Jamaican dance over the last four decades.