fp Turks and Caicos

Rasta Thomas’ Bad Boys of Dance have booked their tickets and are ready to ROCK the Turks and Caicos Islands, thanks to the overwhelming support of the local community.

The Turks and Caicos Friends of the Arts Foundation (TCFAF) proudly announced this week that it has exceeded its goal of raising $25,000 in order to bring the dance ensemble to the islands to perform May 18-19.

“We are so grateful for the support of everyone in the community who has helped us to achieve this goal,” said Barbara Pankhurst, TCFAF co-founder.

Just 87 donors, mostly members of the local community, pledged $25,956 to ensure the show would go on. Pankhurst used a fundraising website called Kickstarter to facilitate the fundraising effort.

“It was phenomenal to know that I could raise funds on the Internet, and know that Kickstarter would make it easy and safe for our backers!” Pankhurst said.

In just two short months, the TCFAF was able to surpass its monetary goal, which will be used to cover the performers’ and technical crew’s airfare, food and accommodation, and fees for a videographer to film, edit and produce a DVD documenting the event.

“We are so excited to be able to bring Rasta Thomas back to celebrate our 10 year anniversary,” Pankhurst told the fp. In 2002, the newly formed TCFAF brought the young dancers Rasta Thomas, Adrienne and Ashley Canterna, Danny Tidwell, and Robbie Nicholson in to perform the most ground-breaking and eclectic show ever seen in the TCI.

The performers collaborated with the islands’ local artists in a mix of classical and contemporary dance, African drumming, folk dance and storytelling.

Since that initial show, TCFAF has continued its mission and has produced more than 60 original shows with mostly local volunteers and international artists donating their time to work with and inspire the islands’ youth.

During their visit, the group will also be connecting with the children of the island, who Pankhurst notes get very little opportunity to see professional dancers of that caliber perform live.

“During the week of May 14-20, the dancers will give master and company classes, outreach workshops on choreography, and create a new original piece collaborating with local artists,” she said. The visit will culminate in a grand finale performance for the public May 18-19.