Review - from the North they came

The Northern lights shone on the stage at the Coleridge & Parry Secondary School auditorium on Friday 7th. Featured was the second in a five night series of Zone Finals. Four performing groups from this zone prepared to show an eager audience what dance meant to them and why they should be in the chosen National Finals few. The hall was well appointed for a community event such as this and as mentioned by Mr. Alba Hood, Vice Principal of Coleridge and Parry, "was built with the performing arts in mind".

The zone included the junior group Olos (see video in post "Crowed Halls Cheering Crowds"), a cute, dynamic young group, dancing to the popular track I'm alive by Celine Dion. Dressed like little angels in white satin bell dresses, these six petite dancers wowed the fairly large crowd. It was easy to see why Olos was such a favourite with the crowd.



Next group up was Alexandra Hip Hop, made up of students of the Alexandra Secondary School. The dance was a fusion of modern and hip hop, a combination used by some of the groups to get their messages across. The music chosen was not only up beat but a gospel track that helped the group tie the whole piece together. On stage this group, made up teenage girls and boys, had lots of energy and had an almost fresh approach.

Alexandra Hip Hop



Haynesville Dancers are no strangers to performing and it was obvious from their approach that a deal of imagination and some research went into the piece presented. A journey into the the rites of passage to manhood of two young village men. This presentation offered variety to the night's contest, but fitted into the theme of ancestry that was the focus of the show overall.


The night's final performance came from yet another Alexandra Secondary School group, this one the Alexandra School Dancers, dancing in true celebration style to a spirited gospel number. Once again, although the move in this performance were familiar, the overall presentation felt light and fresh. The choreography was well constructed and lots of energy was exuded on stage.

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Crowded Halls Cheering Crowds

The Barbados IndepenDANCE FESTival is the toddler in the family of local festivals, but if the crowds and fans keep feeding it with the kind of support just witnessed over the last five nights, then ladies and gentlemen we have a giant in the making. Twenty community based dance groups from around the country showed off their danced skills to judges, fans and the capacity audiences that came out to participate in the Zone Finals of this, the third year's Dance Fest.

Thursday 6th November was the beginning of an action packed mini-week. The Eastern Zone ran first and although only two groups performed, a blazing platform was set for those that followed. Dance genres ranged from African to fusions of modern and hip hop, group sizes from two to 30. Those attending witnessed genuine effort displayed by most performers, and all will agree that the Independance Fest is earning it's place as a must see Independence event.

Comment if you were at any of the Zone Finals lets hear what you think. Now here's a photo look at some of the action. I have included some short video clips which you may downloaded. Over the next few days I will be reviewing each final, and in the weeks to follow, present to you

those who work tirelessly to bring this festival to our communities.

Will Higher Level Empire Surf their way to the National Finals?

Powerful HIV Aids Message

The Race is definitely on for the Gymnasium

Maybe Divine intervention will be this group's winning tool.

The following videos may take a while to load, however quality would be compromised if they are made smaller. Have your say. How would you like to have your video posted?

Dance – moving a community closer

Dance generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting.

How many of you remember during the eighties, here in Barbados when groups of young men travelled around some communities armed with rolled up linoleum and a large “beatbox”? It was breakdance war in the streets back then. Clashes between Webopp 2 in St. Michael and … in the famous Studio 10, or on Combermere home turf. Young men, some educated, some not walking around looking to share some serious dance licks.

In fact, some names at that time became household names – Fonzie, Jamal, Ramoun, Ricky Taylor and others not to mention, earlier dance heroes from the funking seventies like Brazain, Sheriff, Ghost, I C & I am. Some of these names when called today still ring “sweet” of the good old party days at Skate on, Rendezvous Room, Unicorn 1 and the Djs that made feting the necessary weekend activity. The dancers of these times, the fete venues and the Djs – Anthony lowhar, Franz Phillips, Eddie Cheeseman all rightfully called “old School” bring to mind an era when dance was a great binding force that held some of communities together.

Today, the scene has changed a bit but dance is still very much alive around Barbados. The difference maybe the amazing widening of dance genres. In the seventies and eighties there were three main groups of weekend dance activities. The late thirty and older group worked up their sweat at “Dances” – Socials where mostly music of the fifties, sixties and early seventies (oldies) was played. Couples danced to the music Sam Cooke, Brooke Benton, Skeeter Davis, Paul Anka…you get the picture. Under thirties were split into two groups – those that partied to the latest (now old school) r&b, pop and funk, with a little reggae and calypso thrown in. The other group was the roots group, they flocked the “dub outs”. Dances where “dub”, hardcore reggae was played for the entire “session”.

Young dancers from competing groups at a recently organized Inter-community Social

The scene is way more varied today. On the social scene you can find clubs and night clubs where the hottest dances from around the Americas and further world are performed. Everything from professional ballroom and Latin to Jamaican Passa Passa. During this years Independance Festival groups are even competing with their versions of line dance. Many young men still want to do dance battle, and popping, waving, head spinning and scrambling are still moves in their repertoire, but gone are the "congoleum" and big radios, and now there are opportunities (at least once a year) where these skills can be put to use on a national scale for big prize monies. Dancers, young and old from across the island, can participate in the annual Independance Festival, a great outlet for their skills and talents and a powerful tool that can bring communities closer.

IndepenDANCE FESTival Events

Hi everyone, here is a list of events still to come for this years IndepenDANCE FESTival. Remember, go out and support the Zone Finals. Admission to all venues is FREE!!

• Thursday 6th November - Eastern Zone at Lester Vaughn Memorial School


• Friday 7th November - Northern Zone at Coleridge & Parry Secondary School


• Saturday 8th November - Southern Zone at Foundation Secondary School


• Sunday 9th November - St. Michael North Zone at Combermere School


• Monday 10th November - St. Michael South Zone at The Barbados Community College

Come out in your numbers! All shows begin nightly at 7:pm.