The Livy & Betty Alleyne Dance Centre made their greater numbers count by taking the top prizes at the National Sports Council’s Latin Dance competition Sunday at the Wildey Gymnasium.
They won eight of the 12 prizes on offer and two out of the three categories – Juniors and Juvenile. Genesis Dance Studio took the Youth category.
In the Juvenile category there were only four couples dancing the cha-cha, samba, rumba, paso doble and jive. The four young couples did their twists and turns, spins and twirls with studious concentration. Even though they made some blunders they must be commended for learning five dances.
The couples were more comfortable in the high-stepping jive and enjoyed themselves. Alexander Greaves and Danielle Jones brought a feisty flavour to the routines, but were beaten into second place by Rashad Wickham and Chante White. Tristan Allman and Chemiaa Carrington placed third and Jayco King and partner Alyssa Walkes from Genesis Dance studio placed fourth.
In the Juniors category, some of the dancers looked a bit stiff even though many are familiar faces on the dance floor. Dancing the cha-cha, samba, rumba, paso doble and jive, nine were whittled down to six for the finals.
From the get-go, the always impressive Shane Alleyne and Sheryl Forde commanded the dance floor. They were a study in precision, presence and panache, and Forde’s flashy red costume added to the dramatic, sensual styles shown that night. They deserved first place and, when announced winners, they shook hands with the other competitors.
Delano Wickham and Zoe Trotman had to settle for second place, while Kyle Brathwaite and Tiffani Lynch and Antonio Farrell and Maria Greenidge placed third and fourth, respectively. All came from Livy & Betty Alleyne Dance Centre.
Jamar Taylor and Renelsa Boyce’s high energy and flamboyant style was not enough to beat out studio mates Ross Harris and Kara Cutting in the Youth category and they had to settle for second.
Dancing out of Genesis Dance Studio, Cutting and Harris continued their winning form for the year, earning four first places and one second with the cha-cha, samba, rumba, paso doble and jive.
They brought their fancy footwork and some well choreographed routines with strong endings on the night.
In third and fourth place, from Livy & Betty Alleyne Dance Centre were Marvin McDowald and Melanie Hinds and Rico Bradshaw with partner Samantha Blanche.
