Competition stiff in “Save the Last Dance”
This week many young people are celebrating the end of the school year. And while they may not be dancing in the streets, a number of couples are practising their moves daily for what has become an important competition.
Melonie Popper, Programme Director, YMCA
“First of all, it’s an annual fundraiser for the YWCA and the proceeds go directly towards building our building on the Faber’s Road Extension area.”
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
This year seven couples have decided to dance to the rhythms of
Latin Music. It may be their first competition, but the dancers believe they have what it takes to win.
Cleber Domingo Arruba
“It’s the first time that we are going to be in a competition, but we have danced before, about ten months together…but expect to do something good.”
As the dance competition draws nearer, the contestants admit that they are beginning to feel a bit nervous.
Sheree Thurton
“I’m pretty excited, I can’t wait. As I said to my partner, it’s not just about winning, it’s about having fun, so I just can’t wait to have fun on stage.”
Cordel Chavez and Geraldine Staine are a couple who have been dancing together for some time, but it will be the first time that they will perform to Latin music.
Cordel Chavez
“At one stage we were about to back out because of the type of music, but we decided to be a good sport and come out and take part in this event.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Because you guys are a couple does it make it easier?”
Geraldine Staine
“Yes I think it makes it much easier”
Jacqueline Woods
“Because you know each other’s rhythm I would imagine?”
Gerladine Staine
“Yeah, it’s much easier. You have more time to workout at home together.”
Melonie Popper
“On the night you can look forward to a lot of fun, excitement, a lot of colour, glamour and everything else with a lot of Latin music, mainly salsa, cumbia, tango, merengue. So once you’re the type of person who looks forward to a competition, more of less in the Latin sense, then it’s a lot of flavour.”
Tickets for Save the Last Dance are available at the Record Shack, Venus Photos, B.F.L.A. on Mahogany Street and at the YMCA on Eve Street. General admission is ten dollars, reserved fifteen dollars and children five. Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.
Dancers will be competing for trophies, cash and prizes. Save The Last Dance takes place at the Belize City Centre this Saturday night.
