EVEN THOUGH they are facing serious challenges this year, the show must go on.
For its 20th anniversary, Jahbulani Ballroom Dance Club will put on two days of dancing – tomorrow and Sunday at the St Leonard’s Boys’ School.
Robert Boyce, president of Jahbulani Dance Club, says while the club is footing the bill out of “their pockets” it is a must for the show to be held.
“This is a chance for the youth to get exposure and sharpen their skills, win their categories and advance so they can compete in overseas competitions. Each year sponsorships gets more difficult. Some people look at events for what they can do for them. It seems dance isn’t as attractive as car racing, road tennis or even cricket.”
He says fundraising efforts help but are not sufficient: “We are trying our best. We can’t go near what we really want to do, though.”
The cost to put on the show includes paying for security, VAT, Copyright Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (COSCAP) licence fees, and the prizes.
Boyce said over 45 couples from different clubs across the island are registered for tomorrow’s Strictly Latin and over 30 for Sunday which will see the It’s Strictly Ballroom and Ten Dance Championship.
To celebrate the milestone, youth champion Valerie Dubinsky with Fernando Lareu and Michael Shaponick, champions in Latin and ballroom, will guest appear in what promises to be a magnificent weekend of competitive dancing.
“We have to pay to get them here and to perform. But it was vital because we want to show the youngsters how the overseas champions perform and get inspiration. Sometimes the overseas competitions are two days
back-to-back so that is why we decided to do two days.
Valerie and Fernando will showcase all the Latin rhythms on Saturday and on Sunday she returns to showcase why she is regarded as one of the world’s leading Ten Dance champions. She will dance with Shaponick in the classical
ballroom rhythms.
So far all the best of the best have registered and we can expect some dazzling moves and twists. Dancers have been working hard to fine tune their respective routines in an effort to either retain or dethrone former Nationals champions, and prestigious titles are up for grabs.
Romario Bates and Tiffani Lynch, defending champions in all three competitions, will not be competing, but Keisha Cordieu and Kamar Beckles are back to tango with Mark Burgess and partner Kathy Ann Patrick.
“Jahbulani Ballroom Dance Club continues to try to help improve the art form in whatever way we can with what little resources we can attain. We thank those small businesses who assisted with this journey and making this event possible with the hope that spectators come and support our dancers.
“The invited couple is to help further develop and inspire our young dancers to follow any goal they may set for themselves and to know that they can be a superb dancer representing Barbados in the big league one day. All it takes is perseverance and discipline of this great art form,” said Boyce. (NS)