"Community Dance Fest is more than a performance."
This was emphasised by Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steve Blackett, during his address at the official launch of the Community Dance Fest, earlier today.
??Speaking to the media from the Ministry’s Warrens office, Minister Blackett stated that the community-oriented initiative "is a medium for personal and social development and a means of encouraging social inclusion and cohesion."
The Minister noted that the dance competition brings together dance groups from various communities to participate in friendly rivalry.
"The competitive nature of the event lends itself to the promotion of excellence, since only the best will win. But, more than that, it permits the fostering of community spirit," Mr. Blackett maintained.
Alluding to the popularity of street dance, the Community Development Minister said that this programme was an avenue where this genre could be offered in a "tasteful and creative manner", and gain legitimate access to the Barbadian "dancescape".
The Dance Fest continues on Wednesday, December 15, at the Combermere School, when dance groups from St. Michael North and South will compete in the zone finals. On Thursday, December 16, the Northern zone will follow suit at the Alexandra School, followed by groups from the Southern zone, who will compete at the Foundation School on Friday, December 17. All zone finals will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The National Finals for the Community Dance Fest will take place at the Wildey Gymnasium, on January 22, 2011.??sharifa.medford@barbados.gov.bb