Bullying, drugs feature in dance

By Hallam Hope

Positive messages on bullying, violence among the youth and drugs came to the fore as the Community Development Department staged the penultimate performance of the Zone Finals for Community Dance Fest.

A winner last year, Xtra Hype captivated the audience at St. Michael school Wednesday evening but the Reactive fans were equally vociferous in their presentation. Both all-male groups pulled out the stops to impress the judges ahead of the 2009-2010 finals at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex on January 21^st.

But it was N.W.A which started the evening with an energetic piece entitled “Don’t Fight Down The Youth”. While the male Hip Hop items kept the audience in awe Little People Fun and Frolic, nine youthful females backed by a male, two-member Tuk Band, brought an entertaining, interestingly choreographed mix of dance rhythms. The popular Red Plastic Bag song “Something’s Happening” was again featured in the dance by the nine females.

N.W.A sent a message to adults to give the youth a chanceas Emcee Shellaine Bourne kept the crowd enthused with her crowd-pulling humour. Xtra Hype, appearing as school boys, took their presentation from the auditions to a new level and brought out the props in a storytelling item about raising funds through dance to support a youth injured in school violence.

Reactive linked gang violence and drugs in an energetic, positive piece about the island’s youths.

Variety was again a feature of this Zone Final for some groups from St. Michael. Shane Alleyne joined Cheryl Forde while Christof Trotman teamed up with Sharica Wilkinson in a ballroom dance “Hit The Road Jack”. Emcee Shellaine Bourne noted that all four youngsters are under the age of 13. And they performed excellently. They are from the Livy and Betty Alleyne Ballroom Dance Centre.

Modern dance was featured in a romantic “NIFCA Treasure Chest” performance by Rohan Blanche and Charissa Simmons, which spoke about doing anything for love. And there was something for the emcee, who was serenaded by Ricky Greenidge.

The last of the Zone Finals was scheduled for Thursday, also at St. Michael School, starting at 7 pm for groups from the St. Michael South Zone. Reports and information on Community Dance Fest are available on the Internet at www.comdev.gov.bb.