Loris Beckles, a dedicated figure in the dance community, has anchored himself in Dallas since a life-altering event in 1995, when his partner, Andre R. George, passed away from complications related to AIDS.
George, a performer with the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, had established Nova: A Dancers’ Company shortly after moving to the city.
In the wake of George’s death, rather than returning to his previous life in New York, Beckles chose to honor his partner’s legacy by continuing their shared passion for dance in Dallas.
Over the past three decades, Beckles has made significant contributions to the local arts scene. As a teacher at the South Dallas Cultural Center and Greiner Middle School, he has trained countless young dancers, many of whom have advanced to prominent stages across the country.
Beckles has choreographed numerous performances, showcasing his work alongside guest artists and reviving pivotal pieces from influential Black choreographers like Eleo Pomare and Donald McKayle.
Now, as the Beckles Dancing Company commemorates its 30th anniversary, the group is set to stage a series of performances at the Latino Cultural Center.
The anniversary shows will feature a collection of 13 pieces, predominantly choreographed by Beckles himself, including a personal favorite—First Arabesque.
Originally created for the Blue Mercury Dancing Company while he was still in New York, this solo dance set to a Debussy piano composition reflects Beckles’s deep artistic exploration.
“There’s a turn with the leg up in second position and pauses to suspend the movement so it can coincide with the resonance of the music between notes,” Beckles describes.
The dance will be performed by guest artist Tristan Rodney, who Beckles believes has the responsibility to convey the emotions and ideas behind the choreography.
“I want to see it again to reemphasize how simple and difficult it is,” he adds, highlighting the challenge of expressing complex feelings through dance.
The performances will also include works from Pomare, McKayle, and contributions from guest choreographers Anthony Wade Jr. and Randall Anthony Smith.
In a recent interview at the Sammons Center for the Arts—home to the company’s office—Beckles portrayed a sense of humility regarding the upcoming anniversary celebrations.
At 71, he walks with a limp caused by progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a condition resulting from his HIV-positive status, yet he conveys gratitude for still being able to share his knowledge: “I’m glad to still be here, alive and able to pass on the information I have learned, not just as in a textbook but in the soul.”
Beckles’s journey began in Guyana, where he grew up as the eldest of seven siblings and later immigrated to New York at the age of 14, following his parents.
A pivotal moment occurred during a performance by a Venezuelan ballet company, which ignited his passion for dance.
“I was flabbergasted when the dancers landed after flying through the air,” he recalls. “It made me realize they were human.”
Living with a relative in New York, he expressed his desire to take ballet lessons but felt constrained by societal expectations, leading him to a modern dance club at Newtown High School.
This revelation marked the beginning of his formal dance training, where he excelled and caught the attention of his teachers.
His experiences culminated in a dance degree from Adelphi University, a time when he honed his skills and developed a committed work ethic.
Thanks to his exposure at Adelphi, he secured his first professional job without auditioning at Syracuse Ballet Theatre after directors witnessed his talent during a class performance.
“That sense of discipline is among the lessons I’ve passed on to my many students,” Beckles reflects, noting the importance of technical training in the dance sphere.
Among his notable students is Lela Bell Wesley, who remains a member of his company and will appear at the anniversary concerts alongside an array of guest artists, including Claude Alexander III, Jennifer Mabus, Michelle Gibson, and others.
The anniversary performances are scheduled for May 30-31 at 7 p.m. at the Latino Cultural Center, located at 2600 Live Oak St., with tickets priced between $22 and $33.
For further details, visit becklesdancingco.org or ticketdfw.com/event/thirtieth-anniversary-gala-celebration.
The acknowledgment of Beckles’s work represents a celebration not only of dance but also of perseverance, creativity, and community in the heart of Dallas.
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