By Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter
Get Mad Dancers showing off their prize at JCDC's World Reggae Dance Competition held at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Saturday, August 5. - Colin Hamilton
Missa Wacky is gone but he has, in fact, left his high dancing standards which was shown at the first Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) World Reggae Dance Championship held on Saturday at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre.
With $200,000 on the line the Get Mad dancers deservingly will be dancing all the way to the bank.
Jamaica is irrefutably the reggae capital of the world. And just the same, these dancers proved that their skills were unmatched. There were some familiar faces and some not so familiar ones but they all brought their A-game to show their stuff to the judges. The opening tribute by Bridgeport Dance Ensemble was quite a contrast to what was to come.
Tarrant High School had the task of getting the 'dance off' started. One would have thought that their performance would have been forgotten by the time the third group performed, but the unlikely candidates found favour with the judges and were placed third.
Testosterone drive
Regardless, the all-boys dance team paved the way for moments of brilliance. It seemed the competition would be testosterone-driven as it appeared to be an all-boy competition. But the Tivoli Gardens Dance Troupe quickly cleared up the notion after delighting the audience with a colourful and, at one point, a silent dance.
Another able and talented group was the Kunta Kinte out of St. Elizabeth. Though they proved they could dance, the arrangement had become too long and predictable at times.
It was a different stop coming from the group further out west, G Squad. A few of the members of G Squad were well known for their awesome run on the TVJ hit show, Dancing Dynamites, and the adrenalin was carried over. The choreography was almost too crowded but that was shadowed by the very dramatic and comedic pokers. The performance was well enough to earn them their $25,000 second place prize.
The performance of the Arnett Gardens Dancers was was almost like expecting steak but getting a hamburger instead.
Then there was utter chaos. Clad in pink, Kayas took to the stage like a storm and riled up an audience that was just waiting for the right time to explode. The stunts kept coming and a top three finish would have been fitting but they had to settle for a top 10 finish instead.
After riotous chants and an overwhelming Shady Squad fan base present, the group from Portmore just did not put out as expected. Brothers Conroy and Matthew Richards were placed second in the Dancing Dynamites competition, and perhaps had a second chance to be on top but also placed in the top 10.
In a fitting but somewhat redundant tribute, all the contestants at one point danced to Wacky Dip recorded by Voicemail. The song pays tribute to renowned dancer, the late Gerald 'Bogle' Levy. Voicemail also made a guest appearance at the already thrilling event. Little Hero and Apachie Chief and Sarge also had a few words for the gathering.
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