The NY Portsmouth Roman Catholic Church Rebuilding Initiative Group (NYPRCCRI) has awarded the Cultural Achievement Award to Ms. Rosalind Severin McClean for Creative Contribution Promoting Dominica’s Culture. The NYPRCCRI Award was presented on October 1st, 2016 at their Cultural Gala in the Bronx, New York.
ROSA, as she is popularly called, had been involved with the youth, teaching drama, dance and choreographing dance routines and productions, and directing shows. Her background in cultural dance runs a gamut with a confetti mixture of Bele, West African, Afro Caribbean and Afro Brazilian flavors. Her dance group ROSA Dancin’ Belaire which was made up of children and adults, celebrated the cultural life of Dominica, by dancing the various steps of the cultural dance Bele.
Rosalind has danced Bele in the USA since 1979, dancing Bele solos and sometimes with a partner. Most people are surprised at her Bele skills since Rosalind did not belong to any Bele group in Dominica. Her style originated in 1972 in a classroom at the Dominica Grammar School with a group of friends. For several years as a student at the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) New York, Rosalind was often featured dancing Bele solos during the routines of her West African dance recitals. In 2002 Rosalind was asked to teach Bele to a group of young adults who also gave a stellar performance for the Caribbean Student’s Association Carifest, of the University of Maryland, MD.
Rosalind formed her own Bele dance group in New York, the ROSA Dancin’ Belaire group, from 2004. The group performed at several functions and events in New York over the years including Inauguration Receptions, Political Dinner Functions, Caribbean American Cultural Heritage Month Events, Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc (CACCI) Annual Dinner Dance, NAACP Luncheons, Church Annual Luncheons, Dominica Cultural Galas, and other shows.
The ROSA Dancin’ Belaire group has been received favorably over the years for its unique styles and creative themes portrayed during their stunning performances while displaying Dominica’s cultural life. Their signature dance routine and production ‘Market Dance’, together with the dances ‘A Tribute to the Dominican Flag’, and ‘Lafet’ were performed at the Dominica American Relief And Development Assoc. (DARDA) Gala in 2005, at which Prime Minister Honorable Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit and Ambassador to Dominica Mr. Crispin Gregoire were present. Two popular dance productions performed over the years among others were, ‘Harvest’ and ‘Ring Games In The Sun’.
One of the distinctive features of the ROSA Dancin’ Belaire group is incorporating the use of props such as the Dominica Flag, local ground provisions, sugar cane, Kokoye brooms, a cricket bat, umbrellas, skip ropes, scrubbing brushes, and decorated baskets to name a few. The production ‘Market Dance’ which was recorded during the performance at the NYC Surrogate Court House in 2006, was aired several times during that year on NYTV Channel 74. The ROSA Dancin’ Belaire group has been featured in the Caribbean Life Brooklyn/Staten Island Edition News Paper January 24th, 2006 and the Queens/Long Island Edition July 11, 2006. Also, was a highlight in the Levee Dominique Magazine NY, August 1st, 2006. In an interview with MARPIN TV Dominica in 2009, Rosalind explained the importance of teaching Bele in the schools, using props, dancing Bele year-round, and not only at National Day celebrations. There is no reason why Bele should not be danced as a social dance at parties or weddings.
Rosalind has received awards for her impressive and outstanding Bele productions throughout the USA. From DARDA, 2005: For Creativity, Dance and Artistry and for Promoting The Rich Cultural Heritage Of Dominica. From DEONJ, 2006: In Appreciation and Participation at The Madame WobDwiyet USA. Honor Award 2009: In Recognition of Outstanding Service To The People Of Dominica from Major Bill Finch Of Bridgeport, CT. From NYPRCCRI, 2016: Cultural Achievement Award For Promoting Dominica’s Culture.
Congratulations! Well deserved!!
Congratulations!