A dapper-looking Hollis Clifton and Beverly Hinds-George waltz across the floor to victory.

By Carlynne St John

The event was billed as a Dance-off competition, featuring several dance instructors and popular radio personalities coming up against each other to see who would claim the most titles at the end of the night.

Competition was fierce with each couple set to outdo the other in the four categories that would determine the night’s best dancers. The venue was Club Bleu, San Fernando’s premiere nightclub, located at Library Corner, in the heart of the city.

At first glance you got the impression that patrons had come with the intention of taking a passive role in the night’s proceedings but soon even the most reserved among them could be seen nodding their heads, tapping their feet and in some cases dancing along as they shouted words of encouragement and approval to the competitors.

The entertainment got under way with the Smooth Ballroom Dance Category and saw crowd favourite Nwaoha Menkaura, representing WACK 90.1 FM, take the floor with his partner for the night Ann Marie George of P&R Ballroom and Latin Dance Studios. They were outfitted for the night by Pat and Pearl Haute Couture Designs.

Menkaura who is known for his dashiki-styled shirts, received shouts of approval from patrons in the audience when he took the stage, a perfect complement for George who was outfitted in a purple gown with a sequinned bodice and blue edging complete with silver accessories. The couple opened the night with a fox-trot, moving gracefully across the dance floor to the tune of You Are What Love Is.

Other couples in this segment were Tracy Barrow and Christopher Oliver (West End Ballroom Academy); Dianne Phillips and Declan Hive (Bailamos Latinos); Amber Hercules and Richard Boatswain (Emotion to Motion Dance Vision); Deneisia Miller and Roger Cyrus (P & R Ballroom Latin and Dance Studios); and, Kent Phillips and Bella Salazar (Choice Ballroom and Latin Dance Studios).

But, the set belonged to Hollis Clifton and Beverly Hinds-George, of Beverly Hinds Dance Theatre. Looking every bit the gentleman, Clifton who, along with Hinds-George, was outfitted by Dexter Jennings of Concept Studios, was dressed in a brown scissors-tail suit complemented by the soft brown of his partner’s gown. As they moved across the floor to the tune of Last Waltz, the pair appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and Hinds-George maintained a subtle control, leading the less experienced Clifton so expertly that one would never have guessed him to be an amateur dancer.

By far the wackiest portrayal was definitely that of Deneisia Miller and Roger Cyrus who danced sporadically, jerking and flailing to the beat of Machel Montano’s Craziness.

Judging was done by dance enthusiast Torrance Mohammed, Jackie Koon How (House of Jackie) and Lisa Manganoo and while they would have definitely had a difficult time in deciding on the night’s winner at the end of the night, it was Hollis Clifton and Beverly Hinds-George who eventually emerged victorious. They also copped Best Club Latin Dance and Best Costume in the Club Latin segment.

In second place was Deneisia Miller and Roger Cyrus and they were judged Best WACKY Woggle Dance whilst third place went to Kent Phillips and Bella Salazar. Best Smooth Ballroom Dance also went to Phillips and Salazar.