SPANFest: Dance groups smile home with N1m prize

The Salsa and the Urban Dance Groups late on Sunday won N1million in the ongoing Society of Performing Arts in Nigeria Festival (SPANFest).

In the Salsa Dance Category, ‘Bidemi and Bisi’ Dance Couple went home with a N500,000 cheque while the 619 Dance Crew representing the Urban Dance Group also received a N500,000 cheque for their brilliant performance.

Sarah Boulos, the Chairperson, Society of Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), applauded both winners for being outstanding and original in their performances while presenting the prizes to the winners.

Our correspondent reports that the event which took place at Muri Okunola Park, Lagos, had different dance groups that competed for the cash prize.

It was also r6eports that the day two of the 3rd edition of SPAN festival themed: “llu Mi, Ilu Mii’’, meaning: “My Beat, My City”, was devoted to Urban and Salsa Dances.

Boulos said that the aim of the competition was to discover the street and the beat of the street, which was accomplished.

“Congrats to the 619 Dance Crew. You can see that we have discovered the street and the beat of the street is intact.

“All these young talented people know each other and they have a good competition together and you can see the encouragement from all the dancers.

“We offered them a platform that nobody was giving them to shine and make a difference with their gifts, so I’m excited because they showed us our beat and their city, “she said.

Tayo Tiara, a member of the 619 Dance Crew expressed his team’s gratitude to the organisers after winning the dance battle.

“On behalf of the crew, we are very excited because we had wanted this a long time ago.

“We came last year but we came second. We went back to sharpen our craft and this year, we stood out because of our originality. We are now the champions and I’m so happy.

“We trained every day, we stood out, we did all we had to do and most importantly, we prayed to God, “ he said.

He also urged the government and other corporate bodies to create more entertaining platforms like the SPANFEST, in other to encourage dance, most especially.

It was also reported that the winner of the Salsa Dance Category was `Bidemi and Bisi` Dance Couple and they also went home with a cheque for the sum of N500,000 .

Bidemi told our reporter that they were overwhelmed but gave glory to God for giving them victory on a clean slate.

“We were here last year but did not reach the finals; but we really worked very hard and we were determined to come back and here we are as champions.

“Salsa Dance has really been challenging in Nigeria, but it is our passion, it is what we love doing.

“We cannot say because Salsa Dance is yet to be accepted in Nigeria, we have to quit. This is our passion, we just need to continue striving and also be outstanding.

“The government has a big role to play to support the dance part of entertainment, most especially, Salsa.

“Competitions like this need to be done more often to create awareness, “he said.

Buddy Agedah; one of the judges, also said the dancers gave their all, yet a winner must emerge.

“It was a brilliant outing, people came and brought their best and we appreciate them for their originality.

Unfortunately, the show is what it is where the winner takes all.

“As far as I’m concerned; there were two winners, but unfortunately, one winner takes all.

“Salsa in Nigeria is gradually getting the recognition but can only get better.

“We need to grow the sector through more participation. We need more training platforms and exposure, “he said.