Dance Fest returns as community empowerment platform, not competition

After a five-year hiatus, Dance Fest is back.

This year, however, the event, themed The Rebirth, will not be held as a competition but as a showcase of the creativity in the community.

The event will be held on Sunday, December 3 at Copacabana at 6 p.m.

There will also be an after-show party which will feature a DJ sound clash involving young, up-and-coming disc jockeys.

During a press conference at the Division of Culture in Haggatt Hall, St Michael on Wednesday, Special Envoy to the Prime Minister with responsibility for Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement Trevor Prescod described Dance Fest as a community empowerment platform that gave young people a space to showcase their talent on a national stage.

“We wanted to bring marginalised persons who have an interest in the arts, specifically dancing, DJs and so on mainstream. There are lots of these young men demonstrating a lot of creative talent, but they were on the rims of the social and cultural environment and we wanted to bring them mainstream and to give an opportunity for them to express their creativity,” he said.

Minister with responsibility for Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office Senator Dr Shantal Munro-Knight said it was crucial for the arts to be grounded at the grassroots level, “making sure that we continue to grow culture where it belongs – within the community”.

“I think that is a special sentiment and certainly in building up that cultural landscape, particularly around November . . . it’s a celebration of Barbadians, a celebration of excellence,” she said.

During the event, assistant producer of the event Shari Pollard and zone leader Jamal Dawe, both of whom are past contestants, attested to the benefits of the show. They said it gave their careers a boost and exposed them to opportunities they otherwise would not have acquired.

Pollard and Dawe said it was fitting the show returned following the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that claimed the lives of many and created an environment of sadness and despair, especially during the heightened periods. They said Dance Fest could resurrect hope and inspire those who may be battling personal issues.

The event will showcase various dancing groups and individuals as well as community members.

Four groups from different zones will hit the stage next month.

Zone 1 comprises the parishes of St Lucy, St Peter, St Andrew and St James and the groups and individuals representing this zone are: Haynesville Youth Club, Ace Dance Centre, Kendra Leacock and Shakiel Stoute.

St Joseph, St John, St Thomas and St George make up Zone 2, with Bajans In Movement, S. Neverson Dance Company, Shaunelle Neverson and Gem.in.I Project.

Mark Burgess, Emari, Neffi, 1 Movement and Multifarious Dance Crew will represent Zone 3, which comprises Christ Church and St Philip.

Meanwhile, Zone 4, which is only St Michael, will feature Megghan Michael, K-Eve School of Performing Arts, Akil & Faith, Jelani and Pearls Dance. There will also be a special dance academy presentation by Golden Girls.

The entertainers being featured in the DJ sound clash range in age from 11 to 20. They are DJ Zary, Cheque The DJ, DJ Trippy, DJ Zary, DJ Chaddy and DJ Shaun.
(SZB)