The L'Acadco group was among several top Caribbean acts who took the stage in Trinidad and Tobago in the highly anticipated Caribbean Dance Festival 2011. Their participation in the 'Decades of Dance' event was made possible courtesy of Caribbean Airlines, which sponsored the entire group of 15 with complimentary travel, removing this considerable expense from the team.

The Caribbean Dance Festival 2011, which ran from October 11-16, included workshops and symposia, and presented a platform where dance practitioners learnt techniques and gained exposure to traditional dance forms in the various regions. The 'Decades of Dance' festival also provided an opportunity to share experiences, styles, choreography techniques, and to promote and advance not only the art of dance, but the Caribbean as the Mecca of cultural diversity.

tremendous support

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, approached Caribbean Airlines to assist L'Acadco in attending the dance festival and they were honoured to be able to provide an entire travel package for the troupe. Dr L'Antoinette (Osunide) Stines, artistic director/founder of L'Acadco: A United Caribbean Dance Force said, "We humbly thank Caribbean Airlines for their tremendous support. The festival is comprised of Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica, and through this sponsorship, we are experiencing the warmth of the islands." Dr Stines said the group will go on to New York where she and one of the dancers will make presentations at another conference on Caribbean dance.

Alicia Cabrera, senior marketing manager at Caribbean Airlines, was enthused by the prospects of the festival, and noted that L'Acadco brought enthusiasm, vibrancy, and charisma to the event. "The Caribbean dance festival gives Caribbean Airlines a unique opportunity to support the crème de la crème in the region's dance fraternity," she said. "We believe that dance is a perfect expression of the culture and rhythm of the Caribbean and allows the dancers to showcase their unique abilities. We were delighted to be able to help."