Dance action at the Hyatt

At the ballroom, the highly competitive day-long event got off to a quick pace with solo and dual performances in the energetic hip hop category.

This was followed by funky jazz dances among other categories in group performances.

The pieces were well received by a hyped up crowd that included parents and other supporters. Jason Charles, spokesman for the Trinidad and Tobago Allstar Association told Newsday that 15 teams from clubs, dance studios, gyms and schools had registered to take part in the event which was doubled from last year when the first edition was held.

While the initial objective focussed on female dancers, to give them an opportunity to be part of a sport that embraced their femininity, it was obvious from the performances that males were very much in contention for winning in some dance categories. The meet, Charles said, is designed to allow athletes to put into practice the skills they would have acquired while instilling confidence, and exposing them to an international standard of competition.

Among the 15 teams represented were Sepos (South East Port of Spain) dance group, Spirit Academy, Anaige Dance Company, Angel Dance Collective, Parvati Hindu Girls College, Phoenix All Stars, and Rebel Elite. The judging panel included two international judges - Casey Rosenberg, teacher and choreographer at Miami’s Focal Point Dance Studio and a former Miami Heat Dancer and University of Miami alumnae, and Tricia Brown, choreographer/artistic director for International Megastar Flo Rida.