Garifuna Folkloric Ballet

New York – The Board of Directors of the Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. a, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization is pleased to announce that the Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of Honduras, will perform during the First Annual Garifuna Heritage Awards and Cultural Night on March 13th 2010 at 7 PM at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, 450 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451.

The Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of Honduras which is led by its choreographer Armando Crisanto Melendez, represents the unique Garifuna culture of Honduras as well as a variety of music styles that interweave the religious and folkloric characteristics of Honduran culture. Since its creation in 1976 the Garifuna Folkloric Ballet is fulfilling the task of promoting the distinctive Garifuna culture by contributing ethno-artistic work at the national and international level. Its members hold the unique status of "cultural ambassadors" of Honduras.

The Folkloric Ballet has performed around the world and competed at the world renown Viña del Mar Festival and won second place in the folkloric category by electrifying the audience with their sensuous dance routines.

In addition to the Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of Honduras, a dynamic cultural stage production will feature James Lovell and the AfriGarifuna Youth Ensemble, Hamalali Wayunagu Garifuna Dance Company, Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of NY, Paula Castillo and Hechu Garinagu and a grand finale directed by Mr. Armando Crisanto Melendez.

On May 18th, 2001 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed the Garifuna Language, Dance and Music as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangibles Heritage of Humanity. We invite everyone to come and enjoy the masterpiece.

The Garifuna Heritage Awards and Cultural Night is an integral part of the Garifuna Heritage Month 2010. The proclamation will be presented by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr and New York State Governor David A. Paterson’s office during a press conference in the Rotunda of the Bronx Borough President’s Office on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 11:00 AM. 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY.

Contacts: info@garifunacoalition.org