Pomare founded his first
dance company in 1957, called Corybantes, The company performed at the
Waltann School of Creative Arts in
Brooklyn in November 1967. During September 1966, Pomare, along with
Carole Johnson and others, established the
Association of Black Choreographers, which later was followed by founding of
The Feet, a magazine for black dancers.
Major works An important work was
Gin. Woman. Distress., a three-part solo dance, to the songs of
Bessie Smith. It depicts the slow deterioration of a homeless woman. Pomare choreographed the work for
Elizabeth Cameron Dalman in New York during 1966, and it was widely toured by Dalman in Europe and Australia from 1966 to 1987. The work was also taught to Johnson, who performed it in
Adelaide in 1972. Other featured dancers included: •
Dyane Harvey-Salaam • Charles Grant •
Chuck Davis • Martial Roumain In 1986, in honour of
Nelson Mandela, Pomare created
Morning Without Sunrise, set to music by
Max Roach. Dancers on the tour were: Carole Johnson, Roberta Pikser, Jennifer Barry, Frank Ashley, Strody Meekins, Martial Roumain, Henry Yu Hao Yen, Lillian Coleman, Dyane Harvey, and Carole Simpson. Pomare deemed it unsafe for the type of performance, and an inferior venue, and he insisted that his company be treated with respect. The powers that be ensured that equipment and props were moved to the
Warner Theatre in
King William Street, in time for the performance the following day. The company also toured North America, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and Africa, performing in
Lagos, Nigeria, for
FESTAC '77, the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture. ==Recognition==