February 26th 2011
Youth In Dance
By Kendell “Scady” Eugene

Around the world different organizations are inspiring the young people to take up extra curricular activities. They are encouraging them to leave the computers and do something with their extra time. One of these activities they are proposing is dance. In an effort to keep the children of Camp Pendleton active and healthy throughout the year, the base’s Stuart Mesa Community Center in California conducts free ballet classes for aspiring young ballerinas. In Australia, the Australian Youth Dance Theatre supports young dancers as they develop their technical skills, through a curriculum that embraces performance. So it is fitting that the powers that be on our island encourage and make provision for our young people to express themselves.

For the people who decided to take on such a responsibility it was time to show off just what young people are made of, in dance.

On Saturday 19th February 2011, the National Cultural Centre again came alive with young people cheering their peers at the annual Youth Dance Concert. An exciting afternoon for me got an additional dose when I stepped foot into the N.C.C. for one I had thought I missed half the show because I had gotten to the venue an hour late. Thankfully, I was just in time for the first performance, lucky me!

According to my programme guide dance presentations would feature groups such as Youth Aflame, Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary, Famous Dancers, Soufriere Comprehensive, St. Lucia’s Most Talented Teen Racquel John, Helen Folk Dancers, Mixed Secondary School Group, Avad Dance Company and Silver Shadow Performing Arts academy.

With names like that I was sure to enjoy my Saturday afternoon and the few friends I had coaxed to join me were in for a pleasant surprise. At least I thought so. Our young dancers impressed the audience enough to win cheers and screams from around the Cultural Centre.

As each group left a lasting impression on everyone, I was especially impressed with Avad Dance Company’s production. Whoever was of the belief that children from as young as three couldn’t dance and entertain a crowd must not have gotten their memo! The group featured one of the largest ensembles and brought out children of all ages.

Youth Aflame is one of the most outstanding groups I have seen take the stage. Their dancers held each member of the audience captive for their entire production and we rewarded with cheers of appreciation. We also got a treat from the Mixed Secondary School’s whose choreographer Ms. Antoine is a lady of many talents.

A few more groups impressed me with their performance and I will not feel right if I didn’t put that in here. The students of the Soufriere Secondary School put together a beautiful number as did the Helen Folk Dancers.

The energy level was kicked up a notch with a performance from the Famous Dancers and the Silver Shadow Performing Arts Academy closed the show with a stellar performance which featured various genres of music in their mix.

Discuss Story