The World Reggae Dance Championships was held last Saturday at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre and saw Spanish Town Dance Troupe emerging the winners. They took home $250,000 along with other prizes. Coming in a close second place was the newly-formed Japanese quartet, Ivan Squad, followed by Ed Hardy Dancers in third.
Twenty squads from across the island went head-to-head to be crowned this year’s champion, but it was the energetic Spanish Town Dance Troupe that wowed the judges. Other competitors for the night included One Plus, Cali Ville Dancers, VIP Squad, Hiyah Style Dancers, Cash Money Dancers, Classic Dancers, Junior MOB, Escalade Dancers, Baby Cramp Dem, Target Dancers, Supreme Unit and the only all-female group Twaconomics.
A number of groups used voices from the Twin Twins’ ‘Trials and Crosses’ album to get a few laughs, while groups such as World Wind Dancers did an Olympic reference that got a ‘forward’ from the crowd. The H.J. Dance Group, which closed its routine dressed like deejays Mavado and Vybz Kartel at Sting 2008, had persons out of their seats cheering. Ed Hardy Dancers’ creative use of unpopular songs and a D’ Angel imitation to the track Blaze earned them a spot in the top three. Ivan’s Squad’s use of karate, change in costume and well-coordinated moves brought the most energy to the competition.
Starting promptly at 8 p.m., the dance championships was a fun-filled family event that featured rides for children, booths of sumptuous food and a night full of Jamaican dancing from past to present. A jam-packed Ranny Williams saw an array of performances from the likes of D’ Angel, Romain Virgo, Christopher Martin, Shane-O, QQ and Wayne Marshall, as well as some colourful and humorous dance routines.