2
ISSUE № 11, Dec 2014
Yes...You can Dance !
perform dances in any of several permitted dance
styles—such as ballroom, ballet, jazz, and even
tap just to name a few. Shows like “Dancing with
the Stars” also now serve to widen the popular
appeal of the discipline. It should not be discounted that as a sport, Competitive dancers must be
physically fit because even short dances can be
physically demanding. Dancers must continuously
train to maintain and improve their technique, balIt can be assumed that the early purposes of
dance were probably ritualistic; and could well
have been used as a tool to appeasing a nature
spirit or to accompany a rite of passage. It cannot
be denied that the rhythmic movement, partnered
with music, can itself be an easy form of intoxication, appealing to the pleasures of ones senses .
Early evidence also reflects that even at the
games at Olympia from the 8th century BC, dancing was an agenda item performed as a form of
honor. And even then it was a centre piece of
Greek theatre. In modern society man’s love for
competition now sees Competitive dancing as a
popular, widespread activity in which competitors
ance skills, strength and flexibility.
One of many global organizations attempting to
administer dance is the International Dance
Teachers Association (IDTA) England. Specific to
Trinidad and Tobago one such group aligned to
this association is the Professional and Amateur Dance Association of Trinidad and Tobago (PADATT) which was formed in 2005.
They are also a member of The National Dance
Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
Some of their current goals are to improve financial viability, attract new audiences and sponsors, update on evolving techniques and variations in Ballroom and Latin dancing and to
build a multi-purpose Facility for Dance as
interest grows. To learn more on the activities
and education of dance see “How to get involved” in this publication.