(REPOST) Interview with LUZ SOLIZ, Garifuna Choreographer, Dancer and Artistic Director of Hamalali Wayunagu Garifuna Dance Company (January 2010)
Copyright 2010 by Teofilo Colon Jr, a.k.a. Tio Teo. All Rights Reserved. Contact Tio Teo.
February 18th 2010 (Original Post Date)
Bronx, New York: The Urban Wall Street Project YouTube Channel interviewed Garifuna Choreographer, Dancer and Artistic Director of The Hamalali Wayunagu Garifuna Dance Company, Luz F. Soliz.
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The episode served as a profile of the life and career of Miss Luz F. Soliz and offered an opportunity for her to share her perspective on Garifuna Culture and History.
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The profile took place after the host, Mr. Earl Christian III, attended the Garifuna Dance Company’s annual Garifuna Extravaganza Show in November 2009.
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The cultural show takes place in various venues throughout New York City. This one took place at New Covenant Dominion Cathedral on Boston Road in the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx.
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In the interview, Miss Luz F. Soliz, gave some background of the Garifuna people, it’s History, Culture, Language, Clothing, etc.
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In her Interview, Miss Luz F. Soliz also talked about:
- the Garifuna Population in New York City
- why the General Public aren’t aware of the Garifuna ethnic group
- her annual Garifuna Extravaganza
- The Garifuna Dance Company she founded, Hamalali Wayunagu (“Voices of Our Ancestors” in the Garifuna Language) Garifuna Dance Company
- Obstacles she had to overcome in running a Garifuna Dance Company
- An overall highlight and benefit of running that Garifuna Dance Company in New York City for 18 years
- Advice to people interested in starting a Dance Company
- The Garifuna Dances and Rhythms demonstrated in her annual Garifuna Extravaganza Cultural Show
- Garifuna Food, the name and ingredients of a traditional, staple Garifuna Meal
- Garifuna Home Health Remedies
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BIOGRAPHY of Miss Luz F. Soliz
Miss Luz F. Soliz is a Garifuna Woman from Trujillo, Honduras. In 1972, she migrated to the United States at the age of fifteen.
She went to and graduated from James Monroe High School in the Soundview section of the Bronx.
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Miss Soliz went on to go to Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, where she got a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance with a minor in Drama.
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She went on to get a Master’s Degree in Dance Education at Teachers College at Columbia University. Teachers College is the largest graduate school of Education in the United States.
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Miss Luz F. Soliz is a Faculty Facilitator and Adjunct Professor at Boricua College, a private college in the Washington Heights/Hamilton Heights/Harlem neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City.
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Miss Soliz is also the founder of The Garifuna Heritage Center for The Arts and Culture, Inc. Finally, she is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Hamalali Wayunagu Garifuna Dance Company.
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Au Le,
Tio Teo