Plié toasts a decade of dance

It was an evening of elegance, artistry, and celebration inside The Little Theatre on Saturday as Plié for the Arts marked its 10th anniversary with the Jamaican leg of its Amalgamation Global Gala. The formal affair, held on August 29, brought together an impressive roster of international and Caribbean dancers for the first of two nights of performances, culminating a regional tour that had already made stops in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. Among the night’s major highlights was the Caribbean premiere of Love Rocks, performed by members of the internationally acclaimed Complexions Contemporary Ballet.

Choreographed by Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson to the music of rock star Lenny Kravitz, the piece added another memorable moment to a programme packed with world-class dance. The evening also featured Christopher Grant of New York City Ballet; Ashley Green of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; Adji Cissoko and Shuaib Elhassan of Alonzo King LINES Ballet; dancers from Parsons Dance; and the Plié Caribbean Collective, which placed regional talent alongside some of the world’s leading dance professionals. Richardson, a celebrated dancer, choreographer, and co-founder of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, was the night’s honoree and received the Icon Award, while renowned ballerina Misty Copeland served as patron of the 10th anniversary celebration.

For Richardson, whose mother is Barbadian, being recognised in the Caribbean made the occasion particularly poignant. I’m just honoured and so very blessed to be here. My mother is Bajan, and I grew up with this idea of ‘Caribbean-ness’, and experiencing it really feels quite like homecoming,” he said.

Richardson also used the moment to urge Caribbean audiences to continue investing in the region’s young dancers. “Thank you all for helping to support your young talent because they are amazing. We don’t see this type of talent all the time living in the city.

So those of you who have these incredible beings in your midst, please continue to support them. Complexions Contemporary Ballet performing LOVE ROCKS, choreographed by Dwight Rhoden with music by Lenny Kravitz at AMALGAMATION Global Gala at The Little Theatre on August 29, 2026. (Photo: Garfield Robinson) That support took tangible form during the evening when three dancers — Kato Austin, Matthe…