Dance Company forced out of leaking Bliss Center

Thursday, October 22, 2015.  BMG: While concerns of personal health and well-being are uppermost in the minds of ordinary Belizeans following last weekend’s floods, the entertainment industry appears to have lost a key cornerstone of its infrastructure. 

The Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, whose current incarnation was established in 2003, has undergone some water damage as a result of rains this past weekend. The condition of the home of the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA) has cost the Belize National Dance Company a precious week of rehearsal time and caused the postponement of their annual anniversary program.

The Company’s managing director, Denese Enriquez, told us that while they are disappointed, they will continue to fight through their challenges.

The 78-member company, which includes both senior and junior performers in Belize City and Ladyville had to vacate their dance studio located at the back of the Center because parts of the roof were caved in and there was water on the wooden floor.

The rest of the Bliss is not much better. The juniors are now training at Body 2000 Gym on Coney Drive but the main company still does not have a place to train. Enriquez told us that the Company has had to become a little creative about celebrating its Silver Anniversary of foundation. An exhibition of photographs and other memorabilia from the 25 years of the company is tentatively scheduled for sometime in November and there will be a short dance performance as well.

The official anniversary show is now scheduled for the end of January.

We are told that NICH has plans to renovate and repair the entire center but they have yet to be revealed. NICH President Diane Haylock was not available today for comment and both Theatre Director for the Bliss Karen Vernon and Creative Director Greg Vernon are out of country at this time.

The company is seeking assistance in finding a temporary place to practice. It must have wooden floors, be spacious, properly ventilated, and have bars and mirrors in place for the dancers’ use. We will have more about the 25th anniversary of the BNDC tomorrow.

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