In the spirit of Christmas, the San Pedro Dance Academy (SPDA) hosted its annual Christmas Recital on Sunday, December 15th. “Feliz Belize Navidad” brought together family and friends at the San Pedro Lions Den to witness the performances of young dancers who had been practicing their routines for months.
The show began shortly after 4PM to a packed house. The Master of Ceremonies, Andy Nunez, welcomed the audience and shared insights into this year’s inspiration for the show. The recital focused on Belizean holiday traditions that have enriched the country’s identity and diversity.
The senior dancers established the setting for the prologue by portraying a traditional Belizean home during Christmas. Following this, the Junior Level One dancers took inspiration from the Mestizo culture, dressing in bright red and performing to “La Fiesta del Pueblo.”
The nativity scene inspired the second act. The SPDA’s youngest members, the “Twinkle Stars,” performed to a sweet melody dressed to represent the Star of Bethlehem. “Just like that shining star, our little Twinkle Stars have their own special place in this magical story tonight. Each one adds a sparkle to the sky, reminding us of the light, hope, and wonder of that first Christmas night,” said the narrator. The Beginners’ group followed with their dance to “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” setting the stage for another Belizean tradition, Las Posadas, in the next act.
The Junior dancers took to the stage with four routines inspired by Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus Christ. The first dance, set to “Light of the World,” portrayed Mary and Joseph’s struggle to find lodging. Next, a performance called “Away in a Manger” celebrated the birth of the King. In the “Shepherd Dance,” the young performers rejoiced in the news of the Savior being gifted to the world. The Junior dancers concluded the act with a performance of “Praise.”
After a brief intermission, the program continued with more cultural dance routines. A group of senior dancers presented their rendition of the Maya Deer Dance. This was followed by the sounds of a Creole bram as the intermediate dancers performed to the lively rhythms of brukdong. No cultural showcase would be complete without the vibrant beats of Garifuna drums. In the final dance number, the senior dancers again highlighted Belizean culture with a heartfelt and energetic tribute to the Garifuna people and their enduring spirit.
As the show concluded, all the dancers gathered on stage for a final bow. Following this, certificates of participation were awarded to each dancer from the SPDC. Additionally, awards for Most Improved Dancer were presented at various levels. The recipients included Annalise Tamai in the Beginner Level, Mariana Peralta in the Junior Level One, Aria Capri in the Junior Level Two, Ariana Gabourel in the Intermediate Level, and Alexandra Godoy in the Senior Level. Finally, the most anticipated award of the year was presented to not one but two outstanding dancers. Samantha Dorado and Lian Rivero were honored as Dancers of the Year for their incredible performances and development throughout 2024. They were also presented with a $50 gift certificate courtesy of Caliente Restaurant.
SPDA management would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended the show and supported the dancers. A special thank you goes to the parents for their encouragement and support of the young performers. Special thanks go out to event sponsors: San Pedro Lions Club, San Pedro Dance Academy Board, San Pedro Town Council, Deputy Mayor Dianeli Aranda, Irma Palmer, Karla Nunez, Emilie Gomez, Yakarelis Hernandez, Gian Rivero, Shamir Guerrero Photography, Haydee Lu Studio Photography, Virginia Vasquez, Wilfredo Alamilla Jr., Annie Kristine Nunez, Karissa Vasquez, Vicky Coc, Calientes Restaurant, Alexandra Vejerano, Rachelle Lisbey, and Manuel Ancona.
The San Pedro Sun congratulated the dancers for revitalizing tradition with a modern, contemporary performance.