|
DANCE in the News...
Touring tales (24 October 2K7, Jamaica Star)
Tissie Chan, STAR Writer
Shelly Belly demonstrates his dance 'Belly Bounce'. - File
Touring is an important part of any artiste's career. It gives them a chance to promote their act and enlarge fan bases.
For many fans, tours are the only chance
they will ever get to see an artiste in the flesh. So, needless to say, excited atmospheres and big crowds are the usual turnout
when any of the current Artistes of the Month get on the stage overseas. Sample 6, Ravers Clavers, Timeless, Shelly
Belly and Black Blingaz all confess to having countless adoring fans abroad.
The most popular touring destinations include
New York, Connecticut, Canada and all round the Caribbean. However, one of the dancers, Pencil Man, told the STAR of
his visa troubles which meant his touring was limited to the Caribbean only. Although, he quickly added, his performing presence
was frequently requested elsewhere.
Taz from Timeless explained how the "vibes"
varied a lot from place to place, and that New York City, "the party centre of the States", was a definite favourite of his.
He elaborated that although he loved Jamaica
it was a "whole different" affair overseas. New York is unique in its "energetic party vibe that never sleeps".
Garth Sample, from Sample 6, agreed with
the choice of New York, albeit for slightly different reasons: "I like the pretty buildings - the people are really welcoming,"
he said.
One might think that, as dancers, these
artistes would be more suited to the supporting act role. However, when asked, most of the dancers assured the STAR that
they were the main attraction at their stints abroad.
In the Ravers Clavers 'army', Pencil Man
explained how each dancer would come on stage separately to the sound of screaming girls. "Autographs and pictures", he continued,
"they always want the autographs and pictures". Shelly Belly described his fans as "longing" to see him.
Perhaps, with receptions such as these,
it comes as no surprise that these artistes enjoy touring for reasons more than just these eager fans' reactions. For them
big crowds mean big money. All the groups seemed very satisfied with their payrolls although, they clarified, it often depended
on how many dancers the promoters booked for any one show. It seems being the main attraction is also the more attractive
money maker.
Autograph Signing Session
Everybody can dance, but not everybody is
a dancer. However, everybody can get an autograph from his favourite dancer. Timeless, Ravers Clavers, Sample
6, Black Blingaz and Shelly Belly will all be at the Aquarius Music store in Half-Way Tree (York Plaza)
signing autographs and doing what they do best. Be there Friday, October 26 between 3 and 5 p.m.
10 questions with DANCERS... (19 October 2K7, Jamaica Star)
Overmars
STAR: What are your thoughts on the stereotypical
concepts of dancers - that dancers wear tight pants, bleach, are homosexual? How does this affect your career and dancing
on a whole?
Overmars (Ravers Clavers) : "Yuh have certain
dancers mek it bad for us, it look so feminine, wearing skinny jeans. To me, dat nuh right; yuh can't be a dancer and be feminine.
Jamaica is more hardcore who bun out dat kinda ting. It affects us and is unfair when one dancer do it and everyone call so.
They need to be more specific."
STAR: Where do you get the inspiration for
dancing?
Overmars (Ravers Clavers): "Dance is fundamental
for we in Nannyville. Bogle inspire we to mek it more International, a job."
John Bling of Black Blingaz
STAR: Do you believe that your dancing is
an art form? Why?
John Bling (Black Blingaz): "Yeah because dancing
is an expression of the way we feel. Based on how we feeling, you gonna express yourself, which is art."
STAR: Do you think dancers with formal training
are better than you guys are? How do you differ?
John Bling (Black Blingaz): "Mi wouldn't seh
dat. Fi us, dancing is an inborn thing, not something we have to go to school to learn. We don't compile it, we just mek it
up. Trained dancers is just a different style."
Shelly Belly
Star Artistes of the month, shot at The Gleaner
on Wednesday, October 3, 2007
STAR: Is dancing something you would let
your kids pursue? Why?
Shelly Belly: "Yeah, because dem a carry on from dem father. We woulda like dem fi try
sumting different still, but if dem want to carry it on, low dem."
STAR: What are your suggestions for the
crime problems in inner-city communities?
Shelly Belly: "Di people inna di community fi stop di violence, put down di guns. Everybody
fi come as one and keep a dance.
Blue of Timeless
STAR: What are your thoughts on female dancers?
Do you think they get enough respect?
Blue (Timeless): "To me, I don't
see that they have any problems. They are getting big up as much as us. Dem seem to be doing well."
STAR: Where do you see dancing in five years?
Blue (Timeless): "On top of di world.
I would love to see all di dancers living together if growth is to happen."
Garth Sample of Sample Six
STAR: How does the Jamaican society view
dancers?
Garth Sample (Sample Six): "Dem nuh too fancy
dem movie-star dancers; only when we go overseas we get glory."
STAR: Is there any perception of dancers
that you would like to change?
Garth Sample (Sample Six): "Mi woulda like
dem stop judge di book by di cover. All di tight pants ting. More time, di yute dem can't dance inna baggy pants and ting.
Dem haffi understand."
|
