Campion College Dance Society, one of Jamaica’s leading high school dance troupes, completed the first leg of their tour of the United States with the dance production ROOTS to critical acclaim last weekend.

ROOTS left the audience mesmerised according to patrons who attended the event at the Parker Playhouse in South Florida on August 5 and 6.

ROOTS, endorsed by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports as one of the official events of the country’s 61 independence celebration, and was presented by the 35-member ensemble cast of Campion College High School students and alumni.

In the days leading up to their performances Campion College dancers partnered with the YMCA of South Florida as well as the Broward Centre for the Performing Arts to implement a unique cultural exchange program to bring their important work and unique storytelling through dance to the Broward community. Children and adults from communities in the area were treated to Jamaican Traditional Folk Dance and Stylized Modern Contemporary Workshops.

Now all roads lead to New York City for the final leg of the tour. On Saturday, August 12, the final performance of the tour will be staged at the Lehman Centre for the Performing Arts.

Dwright Wright, artistic director of the troupe is pleased with the success of the tour thus far and acknowledged the support they have received.

“I was moved to tears with the level of excellence displayed while our dancers represented Jamaica this past weekend! They were truly phenomenal. To stage a two-leg international tour is very expensive and so we are grateful for the support from alumni groups in Florida and New York. The Consul Generals for South Florida and New York as well as our corporate partners have been integral,” Wright said.

The tour has also received support from the Chase Fund, Sagicor, the Jamaica Observer, Tourism Enhancement Fund, Guardian Group, Victoria Mutual, Golden Krust, Mailpac and Visit Lauderdale.

Tickets are available at lehmancenter.org, the Dance Society added.