Great interest is being expressed in this year’s Community Indepen-Dance Festival.

That is the word from Chief Community Development Officer, Sandra Greenidge, who disclosed that “enthusiasm is high” in relation to the festival, which should see a number of new groups participating.

Ms. Greenidge said: “Groups involved in several types of dance, including Urban, African and Modern dance have been asking for information on the competition.”

She urged those and other groups to work on completing the application forms, since they must be returned to the Community Development Department at Warrens, St. Michael, or the community/resource centres across the island by Friday, August 31.

Groups with a minimum of three persons, a maximum of 20 and which have been in existence for less than five years may compete in the five zones. They are North (St. Peter, St. James and St. Lucy), East (St. Andrew, St. Joseph, St. Thomas, St. John and St. George), and South (Christ Church and St. Philip). The parish of St. Michael has been divided into North (Bank Hall, Bush Hall, the City, Grazettes, Eden Lodge, Deacons, Black Rock, Cave Hill, Lodge Hill and Westbury Road) and South (Pine, Wildey, Ivy, Jackson, Hothersal Turning, Brittons Hill, Bayville, Carrington Village, Haggatt Hall and Mapp Hill). This division is as a result of the tremendous response to last year’s inaugural festival from that zone.

The zone preliminaries will be held from September 27 to October 6, the zone finals from November 8 to November 12, and the national finals on December 2. The first prize will be $2,500, the second $2000 and third $1500.  Prizes will also be awarded for the most impactful dance performance, the best choreography, best community portrayal and the most afro-centric dance.

Mrs. Greenidge indicated that last year’s competition exceeded all expectations and she anticipated an equally or higher standard for 2007.  “We are assisting with unleashing the talent that is in the community and showcasing it.  Last year’s festival proved to be wholesome, clean entertainment, with the acts cleverly and tastefully done and we expect that trend to continue this year,” she stated.

The Chief Community Development Officer has also encouraged corporate Barbados to sponsor some aspects of the festival, stating, that “the private sector stands to benefit from the positive results of partnering in the development of communities and the overall social development of Barbados”.

Pin It on Pinterest