Bermudian dancer/choreographer Tyler Barker's career is flourishing in Florida, where he is a full time member of the company of Animate Objects Physical Theatre (AOPT) based in Miami.

When Next Step Dance presents its fifth annual Dance Series at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in the Amaturo Theatre on June 7, Mr. Barker's work, 'The Other Side' – an aerial show reflecting one man's spiritual, emotional and personal journey through life – will be one of three new works premièred.

Next Step's move to the 600-seat theatre this year is not only due to sold-out performances at its old location, but also in celebration of five years of continued success.

Mr. Barker, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Florida, currently studies aerial training, stilt walking and trapeze at AOPT as a way of increasing his repertoire and learning new skills to enhance his future career.

His dance training began in Bermuda at age 15 when he attended the In Motion School of Dance to study swing and salsa. At age 19, he enrolled in the New World School of the Arts (NWSA) in Miami, where he studied classical ballet, Limon, Graham and Horton methods.

Mr. Barker has performed works by Robert Battle, Paul Taylor, Jose Limon and SLAM, among others, and was selected to represent the NWSA in Taiwan, among other gala events. He was also the featured dancer in the Florida Grand Opera's productions of 'Samson and Delilah' and 'The Pearl Fishers'.

Recently, he was featured in the South Florida Caribbean News. He is the son of Gertie Barker and Alan Barker.

BSM free lunchtime recital Friday

In its continuing series of lunchtime recitals, Bermuda School of Music faculty will present two works in the Allied World Recital Hall at noon on Friday, June 6. Oliver Grant and Doug Frith will play the Dixieland Duo for clarinet and piano, while Margaret Macpherson and Laura Appert will present Bach's duet for viola and piano. Admission is free, and the hall is located on the second floor of the BSM's Berkeley Road facility. (The old Berkeley Institute).

Plein Air group exhibition

The Plein Air Painters of Bermuda' annual exhibition is now underway at the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard. The collection of 80 juried paintings includes watercolours, acrylics, encaustic and mixed media, and features landscapes, seascapes and architecture. Among the 19 participating artists are Christopher Marson, Jill Amos Raine, Rhona Emmerson, Sheilagh Head, Marlene Jantzen, Jonah Jones, Molly Godet, Vaughan and Amy Evans and Christopher Grimes. The exhibition will continue through June 27. For further information see the Bermuda Calendar.

Monoprinting workshop for teens/adults

Registration is now open for a June 28 workshop on monoprinting techniques with Masterworks artist-in-residence Frances Seba Smith. Participants will discover unique techniques of monoprinting, and create original designs.

This will be a fun/experimental workshop for teens and adults, with all levels of expertise encouraged, and all materials supplied. For further information/registration contact Carrie Zentie at Masterworks, tel. 236-2950 or e-mail edumworks@logic.bm

Canadian gallery honours Robert V. Barritt

The Owens Art Gallery at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick will honour one of its Bermuda alumni with a special reception on June 17.

The Hon. Robert V. Barritt, a 1950 Fine Art graduate, is being recognised for his important contribution to the Gallery's Education and Outreach Programme, which has enabled it to offer intensive programmes to local schoolchildren through tours, workshops and special collaborative projects, in addition to forging relationships with the wider community through a series of Family Sundays and other events, all of which have been free.

The special reception honouring Mr. Barritt will be hosted by Friends of Owens, with the participation of local schoolchildren at Marshview Middle School.

Members of Mount Allison University, the larger community, families, friends and special guests will attend this special event.