AN AWARD-WINNING dance group is planning to mark its 25th anniversary at the Leeds West Indian Carnival.
RJC Dance, a black dance organisation based in Chapeltown, Leeds, has created Dance Warriors: Roots, Respect and Still Rising to celebrate its landmark year.
On carnival day - Monday, August 27 - the 50-strong troupe will present choreography and costumes (including a carnival king outfit) inspired by past troupes, current films like Black Panther, and Afro-futuristic designs.
That will be followed, in October, with an exhibition showing the background behind the themes of some of RJC Dance’s previous troupes, which have covered topics including the environment and the fusion of Caribbean and Yorkshire heritage.
RJC Dance Director and Co-Founder Kathy Williams said: "We're planning a stunning celebration of our past, present and bright future at this year’s carnival and we hope to see lots of our supporters on the road.
"The exhibition is an opportunity for people to see the process behind the scenes of our carnival troupes."
RJC Dance has teamed up with several of the city’s designers, including Rhian Kempadoo-Millar, Tracey Pinder and Shamce Hassan to create the carnival costumes in collaboration with young people from the organisation.
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