World Reggae Dance Champions are 'Anonymous'

Hasani Walters, Gleaner Writer

The large crowd on the lawns of the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Monday night was enough to show the magnitude of the World Reggae Dance Championship. Falling in line with independence celebrations, the competition has grown in magnitude, and on Monday night, the swell of support was impressive.

The energetic, thrilling opening item by the finalists gave patrons a taste of what was in store.

The night's events featured 17 dance groups performing routines vying for the coveted title. Dancers from as far as Japan entered the competition with hopes of taking the trophy home.

A high-energy performance from dancehall diva Tifa had the female patrons singing along to Certified Diva before she went into a host of other hits, such as Crawny Gal, Bottom of the Barrel and Reject.

Flava Xpression Dancers from Port Maria, St Mary, were the first group to grace the stage with their creative moves. Coming next was Black Arrow Girls, hailing from Spanish Town. They were followed by the winners of the competition, Anonymous Dancers, who wowed the crowd from start to finish, driving patrons wild with their numerous freestyle tricks and their (Usain) Bolt vs (Tyson) Gay comedic performance.

Second-place Untouchable Squad had a Fluffy vs Slim dance-off onstage, before going back in time dancing to Shaggy's Boombastic.

Some groups failed to impress, and the crowd was not shy about letting them know it.

Crowd delighted

Ed Hardy dancers also gave a great performance, with one of the members coming onstage in a flowery headpiece, dancing to Liquid's Wifey Walk Out to much delight from the crowd.

Third-place Spanish Town Dance Troupe also made a good showing. Clad in Jamaican colours, they opened their routine with a number of old dancehall hits. Ivan Squad from Japan and the Elite Team were also among the night's stand outs.

Macka Diamond then gave a good performance singing a few of her hits such as Dun Already, Bun Him and Hulla Hoop before making way for Beenie Man, who could do no wrong. Selecting songs from his cadre of hits, such as Stock and Pile, Pickney Nah Hold Yuh Down, Samfi, Gaza Mi Seh.

After MC Jerry Daniel announced the winners to a chorus of approval, Anonymous Dancers gave a welcome encore.