Bridget passes the Avenue Dancers’ Torch

For over 30 years, since 1987, Bridget John of Paul’s Avenue has led the Avenue Dancers with love, passion and dedication. ‘Auntie Bridgie’, as she is affectionately called, has trained hundreds of girls and young women from all over St Vincent and the Grenadines and is certainly a gem of the Paul’s Avenue community and indeed, the nation of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Shani Sargeant,
Managing Director of the Avenues Dance group

On July 1, 2020, Bridget quietly passed the baton of leadership of her beloved Avenue Dancers to two young and vibrant women. Bridget stated “For a few years, I have thought about the day when I will give up the day to day running of the Avenue Dancers – the group is like a baby that I have cared for and nurtured, watched grow and thrive.

She has encountered highs and lows, setbacks and opposition but she has triumphed and is stronger than before. It is now time for me to step back and allow the younger generation to take her forward”.

Shani Sargeant has worked along with the Avenue Dancers over the past 7 years while her daughter Amaris trained with Bridget since she was 6 years old. During her tenure, Shani carefully studied Bridget and is now ready to step in as Managing Director of the dance group along with Lateefa Noel. Lateefa is no stranger to the stage or the world of dance – she claimed the titles of Miss GHS Heritage, Miss National Heritage and placed 4th at the Haynes Smith Talented Teen Pageant using dance as her talent. Lateefa will lead the way as Creative Director of the group focusing on choreography. Both women have expressed their delight to lead the Avenue Dancers in 2020 and beyond.

Lateefa Noel, Creative Director of the Avenues Dance group

“Bridget’s contribution to the dance in St Vincent is unparalleled and it is an honour to continue and build on her already amazing legacy!” stated Shani”. Lateefa added “Dance is my passion and I feel grateful and privileged to be entrusted with such a tremendous opportunity. I will not let Bridget down.”

Bridget will still remain the as the General Manager of the group but the day to day management will belong to Shani and Lateefa. “I wish the girls the very best- I know that my baby is in safe hands”.

Interested in joining the Avenue Dancers? Visit their studio at the George Macintosh Market on afternoons from 4 pm to meet the new managers and register your interest.

The Avenue Dancers postpone their tour of the United Kingdom

For over a year, the Avenue Dancers had been raising money to travel to the United Kingdom to showcase their talents and enjoy a cultural experience. Tickets were bought and a team of 18 parents and children were due to travel in early August. Due to the Covid-19, the long-awaited trip has had to be postponed to next year.

“We would like our donors and sponsors to please rest assured that all funds so generously contributed will go towards next year’s trip and our fundraising ventures will continue once social distancing measures are relaxed,” a release from the group said.