Garifuna Choreographer Maximo Alvarez Jr, Passes Away in Puerto Rico

This Expert in Garifuna Folkloric Dance Styles was 53 Years Old.

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2021 Copyright by Teofilo Colon Jr. a.k.a. Tio Teo or T.O. Tayo. All Rights Reserved. Contact Tio Teo.

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Bronx, New York: The Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York has announced that their Artistic Director, Maximo Alfonso Alvarez Jr, has joined the ancestors after passing away on Monday, October 11th 2021. The cause of death has not been publicly announced.

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ABOVE PHOTO CAPTION: Garifuna Choreographer and Dancer, Maximo Geovani Alvarez Jr on the left holding his Recognition Award for being a Founding Member of The Pioneering Garifuna Dance Company, Wanichigu Dance Company, at The Garifuna Dilemma In The USA Musical Play at Symphony Space in October 2016. Photo by Teofilo Colon Jr for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved.

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Mr. Maximo Alvarez Jr passed away in Puerto Rico as he accompanied The Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York for a series of cultural presentations and performances on the Caribbean Island and United States Territory.

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They were a part of the Puente Cultural de África a Piñones (“Cultural Bridge from Africa to Piñones” in Spanish) concert.

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PHOTO CAPTION: Puente Cultural de África a Piñones [Cultural Bridge from Africa to Piñones] Concert in Puerto Rico Flyer

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Maximo Jr’s siblings referred to him as Tati, which is the Garifuna word women use to refer to an older brother or big brother. Specifically, Tati translates to ‘her older brother’.

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Mr. Maximo Alvarez Jr was known to the public as Geovani, which is what close friends called him. His occupation was as a Bus Driver.

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Born on April 14th 1968, he was 53 Years Old when he passed away on Monday, October 11th 2021.

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ABOVE PHOTO CAPTION: Founding members of Pioneering Garifuna Dance Company, Wanichigu Dance Company, Mariana Suazo and Maximo Geovani Alvarez Jr pose for a photo in the Dressing Room backstage of The Garifuna Dilemma in The USA Musical Play, where they were presented with awards for their involvement in Wanichigu. October 2016. Photo by Teofilo Colon Jr for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved.

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The oldest of eight children, one of which is deceased, Geovani was from the Honduran town of Corozal, Honduras. His father is Maximo Alvarez Sr, who is deceased. His mother is Elida “Mama E” Garcia-Alvarez. Geovani came to the United States in 1988.

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Along with a Gift and Talent for the visual art of Calligraphy, Geovani had a passion and talent for Garifuna Dance.

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He’s been a Dancer since the early 1990s and was a founding member of the pioneering Garifuna Dance Company, Manuela Sabio’s Wanichigu Garifuna Dance Company. Wanichigu translates to “Our Culture” in the Garifuna Language.

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Looking back, upon learning of Geovani’s talent for Calligraphy, which is the Design and Execution of Lettering with a Pen, Ink Brush or some other writing tool, it isn’t surprising that he had another outlet for his artistic impulse and expression.

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I wasn’t close to Geovani, but observed and photographed him often over the years at events where his Garifuna Dance Company, The Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York performed.

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ABOVE PHOTO CAPTION: Garifuna Dancer and Choreographer, Maximo Geovani Alvarez Jr in the air during a show by The Chief Joesph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York in May 2012. Photo by Teofilo Colon Jr. for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved.

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Upon meeting Geovani, I was immediately struck by his passion for Garifuna Dance. It made a distinct impression on me, as I am sure it did for anyone who met him.

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A man with an immense talent for Garifuna Dance, along with a healthy ego, Geovani had grand ambitions for his Garifuna Dance Company.

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ABOVE PHOTO CAPTION: Garifuna Dancer and Choreographer, Mr. Maximo Geovani Alvarez Jr dencing backstage with the Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York as they rehearsed for their annual Show in May 2012., Photo by Teofilo Colon Jr for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved.

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In short, Geovani fought for respect of Garifuna Dance Styles and wanted his company to be as big as (or bigger than) any nationally recognized Dance Company like:

• The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater,
• The American Ballet Theatre,
• Dance Theatre of Harlem,
• The National Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of Honduras, etc.

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Geovani’s talent and passion for Garifuna Dance may have intimidated some people within the Garifuna Community or even within his Garifuna Dance Company.

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As a man who lived through the breakup of a talented Garifuna Dance Company (Wanichigu Dance Company), Geovani knew how hard it is to keep a Dance Company together.

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ABOVE PHOTO CAPTION: Garifuna Choreographer Geovani Alvarez during a rehearsal for The Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York in May 2012. Photo by Teofilo Colon Jr for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved.

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Geovani had to sometimes be tough, inspiring, cold, loving, bossy, motivating and tender, depending on the person. Looking back, I don’t know if that flexible approach was fully appreciated.

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Some people may not have liked how Geovani ran his Dance Company, with discipline, attention to detail and passion, but you cannot argue with results.

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ABOVE PHOTO CAPTION: Garifuna Choreographer and Dancer, Maximo Geovani Alvarez Jr on the far right during a rehearsal with members of The Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York in May 2012. Photo by Teofilo Colon Jr. for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved.

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His Garifuna Dance Company, The Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York, is noted in New York City for their dynamic and electric Dance Performances. Not only that, but their cultural presentations are distinct for being culturally authentic and honorable.

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Geovani was mindful of how the Dance Company appeared before the public. He insisted that they not look like artists prostituting their art and that they present themselves with passion, power, honor and dignity in deference to our Garifuna Ancestors.

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For example, in July of 2013, There was a Meet and Greet between The Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York and the Lirahunu Satuye (“Children of Satuye/Chatoyer” in the Garifuna Language) Dance Club from Belize.

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In this Meeting, these two organizations were formally meeting for the First Time, as this Garifuna Dance Company from Belize visited New York City for the first time. The Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York consists of Garinagu from Honduras, Guatemala and The United States of America at the time.

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In the following video, take note of the attempts at communication and fellowship between these two Garifuna Dance Companies. Honduras, Guatemala (and Nicaragua) are Latin American countries mostly where the dominant culture is…Latin American.

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Whereas Belize was formally a British territory. The dominant culture there was…English. There are subtle differences amongst the Garifuna people due to this and in a charming way, this is explored in the video.

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I showcase this video to highlight the communication and the attempt at Fellowship in this video. Look at how The Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York responds to and soulfully connects with this Garifuna Dance Company from Belize.

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Note how they stand and present themselves and gracefully welcome The Lirahunu Satuye Dance Club. People, this approach comes from somewhere.

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In short, Geovani’s leadership, along with the Terrific Talents within the Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York, shepherded this emotional meeting.

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ABOVE PHOTO CAPTION: Geovani Alvarez seated (with the White Shirt and Cream Pants with White Sandals) with Members of The Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York during a Meet and Greet Session with The Lirahunu Satuye Dance Club from Belize in July 2013. Photo by Teofilo Colon Jr for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved.

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ABOVE PHOTO CAPTION: Geovani Alvarez (with the White Shirt and Cream Pants) dances during a Meet and Greet Session with The Lirahunu Satuye Dance Club from Belize in July 2013. Photo by Teofilo Colon Jr for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved.

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A fixture within the New York City Garifuna Community, he was involved in other Garifuna cultural presentations as well. I remember his directing the Choreography for the young ladies competing in the 2013 Miss Garifuna Cultural Pageant in New York City.

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ABOVE PHOTO CAPTION: Maximo Geovani Alvarez Jr with some of the ladies of The 2013 Miss Garifuna Cultural Pageant in April 2013. Photo by Teofilo Colon Jr for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved.

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In my dealings with Geovani, he tended to shy away from the spotlight. While Geovani knew he was good at what he did, and he wouldn’t hesitate to tell you that he was very good, he seemed to resist stepping to the forefront and making sure to take credit for his work.

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Maybe Geovani’s ego was healthy enough where he did not feel like he needed to let everyone know that he was largely responsible for the success of his Garifuna Dance Company.

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Geovani’s occupation was that of a Bus Driver. I was told a year or two ago that Geovani moved to Texas from the New York City area a few years ago, which made it tougher for him to be as involved with his Garifuna Dance Company.

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ABOVE PHOTO CAPTION: Close Up of Garifuna Choreographer Geovani Alvarez during a rehearsal for The Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York in May 2012. Photo by Teofilo Colon Jr for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved.

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Keep in mind the role that Garifuna Dance Companies play in keeping Garinagu (plural for Garifuna) interested in learning about their Garifuna heritage (“Garfunaduou” or simply put, The Garifuna Way) or keeping the connection to our Garifuna heritage alive.

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Many Garifuna Dance Companies, in American cities away from the mother countries, transform into second families. A home away from home, so to speak, where Garifuna people can not only flourish, but be unashamedly Garifuna.

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In thinking about Geovani’s joining the ancestors, it’s worth remembering that he passed away doing what he loved and was passionate about, that is, expressing and honoring Garifuna Culture through Garifuna Dance and Garifuna Music.

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At the end of his life, Geovani was with his second ‘family’, The Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York, and was in his element when he made his transition.

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Geovani also, is fortunate in that he received his flowers before passing away. In October of 2016, during a special presentation before The Garifuna Dilemma In The USA Musical Stage Play, he, along with members of pioneering Garifuna Dance Company, Wanichigu, received awards recognizing their special place in Garifuna History.

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ABOVE PHOTO CAPTION: Founding Members of Pioneering Garifuna Dance Company, Wanichigu (“Our Culture” in the Garifuna Language) Dance Company in a special Awards Presentation before The Garifuna Dilemma In The USA Musical StagePlay in October 2016. Photo by Teofilo Colon Jr. All Rights Reserved.

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That kind of honor usually doesn’t happen while you are still alive. I am confident Geovani was appreciative of this gesture and recognition.

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ABOVE PHOTO CAPTION: Geovani Alvarez and Miriam Suazo, two founding members of The Pioneering Garifuna Dance Company, Wanichigu, dance at the end of The Garifuna Dilemma In The USA Musical Stageplay in October 2016. Photo by Teofilo Colon Jr. All Rights Reserved.

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There’s so much more to write, but I will leave it at that. Leiba Ameragua, Geovani (“Go Rest, Geovani/Rest In Peace, Geovani” in the Garifuna Language).

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Mr. Maximo Alfonso Alvarez Jr (a.k.a. Geovani) is survived by his wife and four daughters. He is also survived by his mother, six siblings as well as many relatives who loved him dearly.

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I will update this post as more information becomes available.

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