Community Dance Fest opens

By Hallam Hope

"Breathtaking, What rich talent among the youth, entertaining".

These were some of the comments from members of the audience as the curtain was lifted on the first of four Zone Finals of Community Dance Fest  2009 – 2010.

The performances of St. Peter-based Olos, a group of Christian girls and winners last year performing “Run For Life” and the St. Andrew all-male Supa Krazy, in an also entertaining and humorous piece called “Rescuing The Beach” kept the audience at Colleridge and Parry school on their toes.

But these groups, the first judged in the four-year-old Community Dance Fest, organised and sponsored by the Community Development Department, were just the tip of the iceberg for members of the audience who paid nothing to attend what was a thoroughly entertaining evening of quality dance and fun.

Nicolette Williams, a NIFCA finalist, gave a lovely solo dance “I Promise You” that added variety, while the Bethel Dancers from St. Peter brought an entertaining twist with their uplifting Christian piece, “Step Pon De Enemy”.  A four-female, one male group from the Israel  Lovell Foundation had the audience roaring with applause as they danced two Christmas items in their beautiful red and green costumes.

And there was the amazing twosome of Michael Taitt and Leon Joseph, whose mix of gymnastics and acrobatics left the crowd in disbelief. Master of Ceremonies Antoine Williams kept the performances moving along and mixed humour with an inviting character.

Several impromptu performances from the crowd contributed in no small measure to the evening’s entertainment. An elderly lady, Carmen, rendered “Beautiful Star of David”, a child sang “Come and Sing” and there were strong songs from the Kareoke mould. A Green Monkey which startled the audience, racing through the aisles and a Shaggy Bear also performance their  acrobatics on stage to add a different flavour to the evening at St. Peter.

The Community Dance Fest Zone Finals includes events Wednesday at Foundation School for dance groups from the southern parishes and Thursday and Friday at St. Michael School for groups from St. Michael, which has the largest numbers. The programmes start at 7 p.m and culminate with the finals at the Garry Sobers gymnasium on January 21^st, which is the solitary paid event. Community Dance Fest details and reports are available on the Internet at www.comdev.gov.bb.