Suzette Harvey and United Dance Productions will be taking local dance talent to the international stage during the next few months.

Ms Harvey and members of UDP have been invited to perform at three shows in New York, Washington DC, and Philadelphia -- an indication, according to Ms Harvey, that the local dance community has become a force to be reckoned with.

"My dream is to really have a dance company that will represent Bermuda -- that's my vision, that's my goal,'' said Ms Harvey.

"Bermuda has no superstars, and that may have to do with the fact that we're comfortable as a people -- we're not aggressive enough.

"But it may also have to do with the fact that we're not supported -- I don't know whether they think the talent isn't there, but it is.

"The Bank of Bermuda was our sponsor this year, and that's helped us a lot -- we've brought in master teachers and great choreographers to stay current.

"But we need support... (Bermudians with an interest in dance) need to believe that this can be a career option if they train hard enough, that they'll be able to travel the world as real artists.'' The first engagement is on March 29 in New York, where Ms Harvey was invited by local dancer and choreographer Tameica McCloud to perform in a programme sponsored by a group called "Movement Research''.

Ms McCloud was provided with a working grant for choreography as part of Movement Research's artist-in-residency programme, where she will provide a series of free performances at Judson Church in New York.

Ms McCloud invited Ms Harvey along with UDP member Zalika Millet to be a part of her performance group called restless.native.dance.

Harvey takes dance company overseas "I'm very excited to be able to do something with Tameica -- she's worked with Pilobus and just finished with them last year,'' said Ms Harvey.

The second project is a performance by Ms Harvey on April 17 and 18 in Washington DC in a show called "Cultural Images''.

She was invited to perform as a guest artist by Dr. Sherrill Barryman-Johnson, who is chair of Howard University's dance department and the choreographer for the piece.

Ms Harvey said the performance will focus on Caribbean women and contains fairly unique choreography, including one piece that focuses on circular patterns and earth-based energy between women.

The performance will be held at "The Dance Place'', a popular spot in DC for "less mainstream'' art.

And on June 19 to 25, Ms Harvey and UDP will be performing in Philadelphia's "2000 Feet: A Celebration of World Dance'' -- a seven-day festival featuring more than 20 countries from Africa, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, North and South America.

The festival will include keynote lectures entitled "Indigenous Dance Traditions and Their Transitions'' and "Critical State: Writing Dance into the 21st Century'' as well as dance classes, a twilight performance series, and a block party.

"We're taking the company to perform two or three pieces. This is the first time an invitation of this magnitude has been extended to us... most of the other participating companies are being supported by their countries, and we're in the process of looking for sponsors,'' said Ms Harvey.

"It's going to be a great experience bringing in dance for the next millennium.

"They're going to block off the street all week -- stages will be set up in the park and performances will be going on all day and night.

"This is a major event, and it's the biggest stage we've ever danced on to date. We're dedicated, and discipline goes a long way.'' Anyone who is planning to be in DC, Philadelphia or New York during those dates and would like to see the performance are encouraged to contact the UDP Studio on 295-9933.

UDP's next local performance will be a show called "Metamorphosis'' on May 13 to 16 at City Hall.