I was asked to announce for this year’s Old Bowie Celebrates, a festival which took place on 9th Street in Bowie, Maryland. I was due to start at the International Stage at 11am, however, rain delayed us for over an hour. Once we began, I had the privilege of introducing 3 amazing performing groups.

The young women of Thapasya (pronounced Tha PÁ sia) Dance School performed several elegant dances from India. Their beautiful costumes were designed by the school’s Director, Sudha Khrisnamurthy. In my opinion it was the “prayerful” music and precision of the dancers that coaxed out the sun, which lasted for the rest of the afternoon.




They were followed by Panquility, a steel drum band. The members, directed by Paul Arnold, hail from the Caribbean, the US and Canada. These talented musicians played music from various genres including calypso, reggae, jazz, rock and rhythm and blues. After getting confirmation that we in the audience could dance, I asked them to “Bring on the Bacchanal!" and they did.
 

The third group I introduced were Native American dancers and storyteller, Keith Colston. They are part of Uhwachi-reh which means “extended family” in the Tuscarora Iroquois language. Mr. Colston explained the meanings of the various regalia worn by the performers, then intoned a song with drum accompaniment representative of each performer’s dance. Afterwards, the audience was invited to join the tribal members in a Snake Dance. Of course, you know who was first to volunteer.

   

If you’d like more info about any of these groups feel free to contact me using the Contact tab above.

D. M.