Virgin Islands students were introduced to Afro-Cuban music and dance at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College on Friday.
The IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban dance group, which came to the territory for HLSCC’s Performing Arts Series on Saturday, treated them to a free show.
During the event, the dancers interacted with students, explaining the history of some Afro-Cuban dance moves. They also demonstrated instruments such as the conga drum.
Most of the students were enthusiastic about the dances and volunteered to come on stage.
A male dancer wearing a red-and-black outfit interacted with others, dancing and handing out candy to some of the younger students in the crowd. He lifted one of them onto his shoulders.
Dancing methods
Sarah Penney, a dance instructor, also watched the show. “It is tremendous, and so wonderful to have a dance company here,” Ms. Penney said.
The show exposed students to different methods of dancing that are relevant to the territory, according to Ms. Penney.
Neri Torres, IFE-ILE’s director of choreography, said the group was delighted to perform for the students.
“It was great. They were appreciative, and it makes it more worthwhile,” Ms. Torres said.
The VI was the third country or territory in the region in which the dancers — Cubans residing in the United States — have performed, according to Ms. Torres.