Junkanoo Dancers Get Ready For Competition

Choreography First Competition In Junkanoo Summer Festival

Aaliah Thurston and Carlen Elliot, Valley Girls from the Valley Boys Group, say they are more than ready to participate in this weekend’s first Junkanoo Summer Festival Competition – the Massive Street Dance Competition.

“I’m very excited about the competition,” said Thurston. “We always win and we always bring good stuff.”

 “We are practicing very hard. Three times a week so we are sure to win,” says Elliot.

 One of the group’s choreographers Phillipa Ingraham says the title would definitely belong to the Valley Boys.

“The theme is going to be a secret for now but we are definitely coming with a vengeance,” she said.

Junkanoo Summer Festival is scheduled for every Saturday in July at Arawak Cay starting July 4th.

All A and B category groups are anticipated to perform at the thrilling four-week event.

The festival will be similar to Boxing and New Years parades on Bay Street.

However, the competitions focuses on the different aspects of Junkanoo each week like choreography, music, costumes, bellers, drummers and the king and queen of Junkanoo.

While many groups are familiar with performing for thousands, this year the Genesis Group will take to the streets for the first time.

Chairperson for Genesis’ choreographers section Tamara Bullard said because the group is new, it brings a never before seen element to the competition.

“Genesis is a melting pot of sorts because it was created by people who were all part of existing groups. But what we all have in common is a yearning for a change in Junkanoo,” she said.

“Expect to see what you have not seen before. We are designing and creating that routine that is going to bring home the trophy.”

Each week of Junkanoo Summer features an electrifying event:

  • Week One (July 4th): Massive Street Dance Competition:

All Category A and B groups participate in a street dance competition.

  • Week Two (July 11th): Music Competition

The sounds of cowbells, horns and drums fill the air as Junkanoo groups face off in a music competition.

  • Week Three (July 18th): Full Junkanoo Competition

The groups combine music, dance and costumes for a full-on Junkanoo battle.

  • Week Four (July 25th): Junkanoo Finale Competition

The best of the best in the categories of drummers, bellers and others compete for cash prizes and bragging rights. There’s also an award ceremony, which will climax with an all-star Bahamian Rush and concert.

The festival will be family-friendly beginning at 1:00 p.m. with a kiddie corner and lots of delightful Bahamian food.

Among the sponsors for this event are Atlantis Paradise Island, John Bull and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC).