National Dance Festival swings off next month

Organizers of the 8th edition of the Kingstown Cooperative Credit Union sponsored National Dance Festival are expecting not only an overwhelming number of entrants, but also high quality performances, when the competition gets started next month.{{more}}

The Festival, organized by the Ministry of Culture, runs on the weekends of September 13th, 20th and 27th, and culminates in October. The September dates are slated to be preliminaries, with the Finals on October 4.

At a press conference held on Monday, August 11th, festival coordinator Ann Marie Venner indicated that the competition will be judged in solo, duet and group categories in five dance areas: modern, popular, social, creative, folk, and traditional.

Venner also indicated that the apart from the gold medal winners, prizes will be awarded to the most outstanding group or school, along with a special congeniality award for the school, group or individuals displaying the most amicable relationship with others during the festival.

Fresh from dispersing scholarships and bursaries only last week, Vice President of the board of the KCCU Cicelyn Joseph said that the Union’s continuing sponsorship of the dance festival is a clear indication of the organization’s commitment to not only the academics and sports, but also the arts.

Joseph said the sponsorship valued at over EC$50,000 is just another form of community service that the Union is involved in on a daily basis.

Also at the conference was Culture Minister Rene Baptiste who called for Vincentians to embrace and support all aspects of culture.

The Minister noted that events like the Festival can build morale and discipline, and also mould young minds and contribute to academic excellence.

The Festival takes place at the Peace Memorial Hall in Kingstown.(JJ)