Published Saturday, June 17th, 2006

 

 

 

Written by: Lance Cameron, Staff Writer

 

When West Indian Times entered Club Amazura in Queens, NY on the night of Friday, June 9th for  Twin Thumb's  1^st annual World Clash Dancing competition it was approximately 1:30am, and the patrons were steadily entering the venue.  You could feel the vibrations of the bass from the music as it pulsed heavy in the air.  At first we thought that the crowd was sparse, but it was quite  the contrary.  Everyone was  just waiting in anticipation of the dancers making their entrance to the stage.  As soundmen played the tracks and hyped the crowd, the front area of the stage quickly filled up with guys and dolls in varied modes of dress or undress, depending on who was looking.  

At approximately 2:30am the call for dancers to make their way backstage was made, and the excitement began to build.  There were short, tall, slim, medium, and healthy sized dancers on the female side.  The fellows were not to be outdone as there were several sightings of dance troupes making their way through the crowd.  Around this time Bobby Konders and Jabba took over  the turntables running the place hot while several mini dance contests broke out below the stage for the video light crew.   

With Jabba giving the speech, and Bobby spinning, the place was afire but after frequent announcements of "competition soon start" and 'dancer's line up" the crowd began to get edgy and so a few minutes after 3am showtime was finally called!  

Dance Group Competition

First on stage was Sir Dancers.  With 90 seconds to give their presentation, there was a slight delay as the music was sorted out (this should have been done way in advance as they had hours in the venue to get ready).  Dancing to the music of  Bounty Killer's 'Anytime', and Young Jeezy, they gave a nice representation.  Although the crowd did not seem to get with them, they still gave their all.  

Next up was  D.O.N. who were two young ladies with less action but showing a bit of body in school girl short skirts, they had the men's full attention.  No one cheered for them, but then again, no one booed them either.

Acid Dancers were up next, and as their names implied, they tried to burn the place down with their moves.  Doing 'Swing It Weh', and a host of moves to 'Badman Forward' they made the crowd take notice.  

Next on stage was Gregory Park, and they were an all male group.  Decked out in all white, they had their own unique brand of movements.  Wining and twining themselves up, they had the women in the crowd cheering them, and  it looked like they could easily run away with the competition.  

Next was SPB, which was also another male group.  Opening with Elephant Mans 'Dance and Form a Ring', they  broke out the 'Crazy Hype', and then things got real different as they went into Beenie's 'Don Diggy' selections and had the crowd moving.  

Next was the O-5 Dancers, also another male group. They were not completely coordinated, and it was amazing that they were in the competition at all.

Next was the Face Off Dancers and this was something different; four men and two ladies, and they quickly got the crowd moving and loving their moves.  Showing excellent synchronization and movements, they made the people cry for more.  

Sir Dancers returned to the stage again, and this time they showed more coordination in movements, as they presented their version of the size 28 pants argument.  

The Take Over Dancers were the final group on stage, and they tried, but just did not have what it takes.  

 

Elimination time was called and by crowd decision those groups to go were Gregory Park, Don Dancers, STD, O-5 Dancers and the Take Over Dancers.  

During elimination time Face Off Dancers received the loudest cheers, and made it through to the second round along with Acid Dancers and Sir Dancers.

Because of time constraints, to determine a winner, a single tune was chosen, and the others were left in the dust as Face Off Dancers pulled out their bag of electric moves, and dun di place, including blowing a cloud of powder dust into the other dancers face!  

Dancehall Queen Competition

Next was the dancehall queens, Sadiqua as the first on stage, and she  was followed by Matrix, and Milk Shake of the Face Off Dancers, they were not given much time and it was clear to see that this portion of the contest was being hurried along because of time.  By crowd decision Sadiqua was declared the winner.

Dancehall King Competition

The kings were next, and Jr. was the first dancer.  He had a series of unique moves, and even had some of the women on the stage ooohing and aaahing.  

Next up was Bashy, a rather portly dancer, but he had plenty of moves.   Alas due to miscommunication  on the stage (and lack of time) a King was not chosen, however, the promised artist for the night 'Alozade' was announced and began to perform on stage. 

Alozade gave the crowd some brief snippets of his hits. Including 'Bad Man nu watch gal' and  'Woman wi Enjoy' but just as he began to get the crow moving the lights went on, the power to the sound system was cut and it was abruptly announced that the venue was closing as it was past 4am.

What a disappointing event, the saving grace was that throughout the night the music by all the sound men was excellent!  The patrons and West Indian Times left the venue feeling disappointed that the competition was so badly orchestrated.  

A few notes for promoter Twin Thumb, although you were in the venue, there was no noticeable communications occurring between you and the sound system operators, thus valuable time was lost that could have been used to have a more organized Dance Presentation.  The function was a brilliant thought, but the delivery needed a little more hands on from you as the promoter.  Please, and this is no slight to you as the promoter, but involve your staff and delegate responsibility for certain activities, especially when you have time constraints.  

Overall it was quite enjoyable, respect for what you are doing, and it was great seeing you again and we'll definitely be there for your Passa Passa 56 Crotches Mawnin' meets Hot Monday's Fire on August 11th at Club Amazura!!!
 
Lance Cameron- TroubleX
Writer, West Indian Times News Magazine
PO Box 64541, Virginia Beach, VA 23467
lonespear1@yahoo.com
lonespear@hotmail.com