After a four-year hiatus The National Dance Company of The Bahamas is returning for a three-day performance dubbed “Return”.

A 10-member troupe will showcase a variety of pieces which Company artistic director hopes audiences will “feel in their belly” and put a smile on people’s faces.

From a Caribbean piece choreographed by Patricia “Patsy” Ricketts showcasing movements of Jamaica, with the use of Bob Marley music in a performance called “One in de Yard”; to the contemporary “Vortex” that will speak to the stresses that people go through on a daily basis and the kind of responses that people put out as a result of stress, National Dance Company of The Bahamas Artistic Director Robert J. Bain II says audiences can expect to be entertained at a high standard.

In spite of elements from around the Caribbean the main focus of the performance will showcase things Bahamian with a piece inspired by Junkanoo called “Who You Is” which is based on Junkanoo pieces that people leave on the streets after Junkanoo. During the performance, the pieces will actually come to life, and have a personality of their own.

“There’s something to evoke imagination … to evoke whatever is inside,” said Bain. “There is something for every level of the family — from the oldest to the youngest member.”

The three-night show will run July 30-August 1 at The Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts.

Showtime is at 8 p.m.

The show will actually be a warm-up performance for the company’s showcase in November, giving audiences a taste of what’s to come. For a number of the performers this will be their first show after the company’s hiatus. For others, it will be their first time on stage and Bain said they are excited.

“It’s their time now and they’re doing awesome,” said the artistic director of 23 years.

“The company has been in hiatus for a couple of years — the reason for that is that traditionally after like five years we tend to lose our dancers who are committed to going to college, so we have to start again, and it takes a very long time. After four years, we have some dancers that are prepared that we can actually bring to the stage in the name of The National Dance Company of The Bahamas, hence the return,” said Bain.

Giovanni Wilkinson, a former member of the company, a principle instructor at The National Dance School, and Ricardo Christie who is also a former member of the company were brought in to work with Bain for the “Return”, which will add different dynamics to the show.

The show will run one hour and 45 minutes inclusive of an intermission. Upon seeing this performance and the energy the dancers bring to the stage, it is Bain’s hope that the public would return and support the company

“I hope people will leave with a very good impression of who we are and will continue to support us in the future. I hope the audience will appreciate it and come again.”

Tickets for “Return” are $25 and can be purchased at Dance Bahamas School, Base Road Business Centre, Nassau Street; and The Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts.

RETURN

Who: The National Dance Company of The Bahamas

When: July 30-August 1

Where: The Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts

Time: 8 p.m.

Tickets: $25

Box office: Dance Bahamas School, Base Road Business Centre, Nassau Street; and The Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts.