Hazel Franco, dance ethnographer, choreographer, UWI coordinator and CXC examiner for dance. Trinidad and Tobago

Award winning choreographer, Hazel Franco took a deep interest in the folk dances of Trinidad and Tobago very early in her career. Of all the dances, however, the Bele/Belaire engaged her the most. Its elaborate costumes, multiethnic dance movements and the foregrounding of women spurred her on to post-graduate studies in dance. While conducting research in Dominica, Grenada (Carriacou), Martinique, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago she realized that the Bele/Belaire was more than simply a dance. For example, in the post WWII nationalist climate in Trinidad folk dances featured prominently in the local response to the US occupation of Trinidad, in Beryl McBurnie’s contemporary folk research and performances, and later in Prime Minister Eric Williams’s Best Village initiative. In this climate, the folk dance was positioned as a locus for visualising an indigenous (non-European), nationalist identity. Today, Hazel looks beyond the performative aspects to larger cultural and socio-political issues. In her Bridget Jones presentation, she will offer a reading of the Bele/Belaire as a potential discourse on the construction of a post-colonial identity, locally (Trinidad) and regionally.

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Travel to Preston
Preston is a city in the North of England. IBAR is part of University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN), which is within easy access of the city centre. Details of how to get to IBAR/UCLAN, by rail, bus, coach or car, are available here: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/visit/how_to_find_us.php

Accommodation in Preston
In Preston city centre there are quite a few hotels available, usually with ensuite and breakfast included. They come at a range of prices and qualities, and it is worth shopping around through different internet booking companies or directly.
The closest hotel to IBAR is the Preston International Legacy Hotel: information and contact details are available here: http://www.legacy-hotels.co.uk/hotels/legacy-preston-international-hotel-preston-lancashire . A number of rooms have been held in reserve for booking at a special conference rate of £67 per room per night – these are first come, first served, and will only be held until June 2nd. If you want to book one of these rooms, please contact the hotel directly, and quote the conference reference number: 62325
Extending your stay
If you want to extend your stay in Preston, or in the surrounding region, you can find information about things to do here: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/study_here/student-life/index.php
CLR James had close associations with the region, and the Manchester People’s History Museum is well worth a visit. Preston Black History Group (http://www.prestonblackhistorygroup.org.uk/ ) are also a useful resource for finding out more about the region’s historical Caribbean links.… read on ...