Charles Chocolates Dancin’ Dynamites Teams With Teens For 15th Season
Boasting 14 years of thrilling and exciting television audiences under its belt, the Charles Chocolates Dancin’ Dynamites Competition will this year set the stage for even more Jamaican youth to showcase their impressive dance moves in the spotlight.
during the launch of the Charles Chocolates Dancin’ Dynamites competition’s 15th season.
As part of its new ‘Teens and Teams’ theme, dancers across the island at the high-school level will
now be included in the running to have the opportunity to represent their dance crew and school body as all-new cash prizes and other rewards will be up for grabs during the competition’sthree-
month run.
At the TVJ show’s official launch on Wednesday, held at Excelsior High School, Competition
Conceptualiser and Executive Producer Jennifer ‘Jenny Jenny’ Small emphasized the importance
of focusing on the Jamaican youth, identifying them as promising facilitators for further economic
growth in the country.
She highlighted the Competition’s numerous years of contribution towards developing talent. “There are so many youngsters who are employed now and have also gained education [through the scholarships offered as part of the competition]. For me, as a teacher, that’s number one,” said Small.
Showcasing Talent
The number-one televised dance Competition in Jamaica, now in its fifteenth season, will kick off
with its series of auditions on January 11 at variousschoolsislandwide in addition to other venues.
Set for its television premiere on February 16, the teams selected for the show will receive
coaching from famed choreographers, including show judges and popular dancers Orville and
Kerry. The Competition will also feature performances from international dancers each week
along with six road shows leading up to the finals airing on May 17.
Roxanne Brown, Brand Manager of title sponsor Charles Chocolates, said, “The show is going to
be mind-blowing this year. What I’m most proud of is that we continue to foster an avenue for
people with talent to showcase that on the world stage. Not everyone can be lawyers and doctors,
and what we realise is that dance, creativity and anything to do with the arts can also take them
a far way.”
The opportunities for winning cash prizes have also increased this year as the top-four teams will
automatically secure J$500,000 as they each vie for the public’s top vote. The teen teams’
respective schools, should they place first in the competition, will win an additional J$1 million
along with other educational and tech prizes. Viewers can also get in on the action as special prizes
will be awarded to in-studio audience members as well as broadcast viewers.
Terrelonge, MP (second right) got in on the dancing action at the Charles Chocolates Dancin’
Dynamites launch. Also ‘logging on’ (from left to right) were Crystal Carby, Devon Biscuits
Representative; Roxanne Brown, Brand Manager of title sponsor Charles Chocolates; and local
dancer Fire.
Long-running Success
Speaking in particularto the success ofthe long-running show, Smallsaid, “What we’re very happy
about is that past Dynamites are [doing well]. One is part of [the new Broadway production for]
‘Lion King’ and he’s one of the lead dancers too. And then another who got a scholarship is now
a top dancer in Canada with his own production. My heart jumps for joy every time I think about
all the potential and how we’ve been shaping lives, so we’re very happy.”
Last year’s winners Too Kool have also been brought to the international stage as they took part
in Jamaica’s Independence Day celebrations in New York last year in addition to being employed
by local hotel resorts to entertain guests and share the Jamaican culture through dance.
The launch event was also graced with the presence of State Minister in the Ministry of Education,
Youth and Information Alando Terrelonge, MP., who spoke words of encouragement to the
student audience. Hosted by Weezy and Badda Bling, the afternoon also featured a performance
from City Dancers, winners of the 2017 staging of the competition, and dance-offs between
neighbouring high schools including Pembroke Hall High, Dunoon Technical High, St. George’s
High and Donald Quarrie High.
Download The Jamaican Blogs™ App for your Android device: HERE
Remember to share this article on Facebook and other Social Media Platforms. To submit your own articles or to advertise with us please send us an EMAIL at: [email protected]