THE MEDLEY of dancehall and soca music seemed to thrill the crowd more than the steps, as Motivation Dancers “buried” the competition to take first place last Saturday night at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex.
Defending champions Reactive Squad had to settle for second place in the annual Community DanceFest Competition.
Motivation Dancer’s theme was Dancing Army and complete with rifles they presented drill movements and precision dance steps. The big ending had the crowd screaming for about two minutes when a coffin was brought on stage. Out of it a man was trying to “raise from the dead” and was riddled with bullets to stop him from getting out. The man had on a white hockey mask and seemed to represent the defending champs Reactive who always wear a white hockey mask.
The crowd loved it and so seemed the judges who awarded them first place with $5 000 and 779 points, 25 more than Reactive who won $3 000. Third place was Next Step Adult group who received 679 points, $2 000 and a trophy.
In the juniors category, there were only three groups and Next Step Kids was a blast with their tribute to Barbados, dressed in the national colours with goggles and white gloves. They charmed the judges with their energetic moves and contemporary street dance themes to the latest dancehall and soca songs. They received 709 points to place first and a cash prize of $2 000.
Second was Praise Academy of Promise youth arm with their African-themed presentation that was also seen at NIFCA. They had 667 points and received $1 500 and a trophy. Third place went to Haynesville Youth Club with Mirror Image, choreographed by Sade Sealy. They got 579 points with a $1 000 cash prize and a trophy.
Also in the competition was Multifarious, Kuumba, MTV Dolls, Praise Academy of Dance Adults, Haynesville Youth Club Adults, Olos and Xclusive Girls. (NS)