fp Turks and Caicos

Brayton Hall was full of energy and excitement on Saturday, May 19, when Rasta Thomas and his Bad Boys of Dance performed in front of a sold out audience.

Saturday’s show ROCKED the house, with audience members clapping, dancing and cheering from their seats. Children were screeching with delight as the dancers jumped, flipped and twirled on stage during the 1½-hour performance.

“It was a world class show, and we are so glad we came,” more than one audience member said.

Rasta Thomas’ Rock the Ballet held performances Friday, May 18, and Saturday, May 19, in celebration of the Turks and Caicos Friends of the Arts Foundation’s 10th Anniversary.

“It was a dream come true,” said Barbara Pankhurst, co-founder of the foundation. “To see the looks on everyone’s faces during the performance, particularly to see so many children in the audience, brought tears to my eyes.”

The foundation was started 10 years ago by Barbara and Mark Pankhurst, as well as 14 other residents dedicated to bringing awareness of the arts to the islands. Rasta Thomas performed in 2002 at their very first show.

“It was great to be back in Turks and Caicos, and we all had a great time,” Thomas said.

The group also spent a good part of the week giving free dance workshops to school children. The dancers said it was a great pleasure to do outreach with the local children. “We have never seen children who were more grateful for us to teach them,” said Adrienne Canterna-Thomas, the show’s choreographer.

“We are so grateful to all the volunteers who helped us to make this happen,” said TCFAF President Lynne Pettman. “It was such a pleasure to bring this level of talent to the island, but it was beyond our imagination how much great feedback we would and did receive.”

TCFAF is working on a documentary DVD to chronicle the fabulous week of the Bad Boys here in Provo, which will be released this summer.