The stage is set for the finals of the Community Development Department’s Community Dance fest, which comes off on Errol Barrow Day, Thursday, January 21.
It will take place at the Wildey Gymnasium, Garfield Sobers Complex, starting at 5:00 p.m.?? The finalists for the adults and children’s categories were chosen last December at the Zonal Finals.
Xtra Hype, winners of the 2008 adult competition and New Era Praise Academy qualified from the St. Michael Northern Zone, while from the St. Michael Southern Zone there is Demolition Squad, Reactive Squad, Kumba and the children’s groups, Little People Fun n’ Frolic and the Israel Lovell Foundation.
The Northern Zone finalists are Alexandra School, Supa Crazy and the children’s group OLOS. ??Representing the Southern Zone will be Adrenalin, Les Filles Magnifique, and the children’s group, Tabia.
Community Dance Fest Co-ordinator, Tyrone Trotman has promised that the show will be "extremely entertaining" and he is inviting all Barbadians to "come out and support the young dancers".
Chief Coach, Ramoun Joseph and his team are also working with the finalists to fine-tune their performances ahead of the finals on January 21.
Community Dance Fest, which is in its fourth year, is coordinated by the Community Development Department in collaboration with the Community Independence Celebrations Secretariat, the National Cultural Foundation, and the Commission for Pan-African Affairs.
Formerly known as the Community IndepenDANCE festival, the event seeks to, among other things, foster community spirit, re-establish the community as a creative space, and provide an avenue through which communities can showcase their talents.
Further information on the finals, including the box offices and tickets may be obtained from the Community Development Department, 4th Floor, Warrens Office Complex, Warrens, St. Michael; the website comdev.gov.bb or by emailing comdev@sunbeach.net.
In the wake of the devastating earthquake which has killed thousands and left many homeless in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, the Community Development Department is also making a special appeal to Dance Fest patrons.
The department is inviting persons who are attending the event to donate non-perishable food items to the relief effort. Bins will be provided at the Garfield Sobers Complex for these items and all patrons are encouraged to lend their support.