BECKLES DANCING COMPANY (BDC / Dancing is our middle name!), was formed in 1995 by André R. George as nova … a dancers' company. After Mr. George's death the following year, Mr. Beckles assumed the leadership of the company and calling it Nova Dancing Company. As of 1 April 2004, Nova Dancing Company will be called Beckles Dancing Company! This is a cosmetic change, as the legal name has been, and will remain, ARGA NOVA DANCE. The new name reflects the fiftieth birthday of Artistic Director, Loris Anthony Beckles; his survival for five years past a major health crisis; and the honoring of his family name. As a multi-ethnic company with a forward attitude, BDC showcases talent of the region and reaches a variety of audiences. BDC has performed at the US Conference on AIDS, Dance for the Planet Festival, Dallas Morning News Dance Festival, International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference, in addition to their regular fall and spring performance series at the South Dallas Cultural Center. BDC is also on the roster of the Neighborhood Touring Program of the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs and the Touring Roster of the Texas Commission on the Arts. Now for a third year, the company was funded by City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. This allowed the company to pay dancers for a ten-week rehearsal period culminating in the spring performance series.

BECKLES DANCING COMPANY celebrates the primacy of Dance! We exult by dancing. We develop on, and refine human movement. We speak without words, using the body as instrument of communication, and we reflect the natural beauty we see. We combine various forms to reach you through an exhilarating mix. In works than span the gamut from light to dark, reverential to irreverent, we touch the spirit and renew the soul …

BECKLES DANCING COMPANY is a multi-ethnic dancing company, founded in 1995 by André R. George as nova, a dancers' company! The company is now directed by Loris Anthony Beckles, a former member of the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble and a longtime associate of Mr. George. NDC showcases talent of the region and reaches a variety of audiences. As the resident professional dance company of the South Dallas Cultural Center, NDC gives regular fall and spring performances there. The company has also appeared in such diverse milieus as the US Conference on AIDS, Dance for the Planet Festival, Folklorico 2000 Festival, and the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) Conference. NDC is on the roster of the Neighborhood Touring Program of the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs and the Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Roster. The company is also a member of the International Association of Blacks in Dance and the Dance Council.

Photos by: 5 Angle Images / Stan R. Davis
De Jesus Photography / Daniel De Jesus
and Ken Wesley

Supported in part by: ARGA NOVA DANCE, James and Gayle Halperin, South Dallas Cultural Center / City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. of Cultural Affairs. For further information, please call 214-559-3993