GT&T really outdid itself in terms of coordination and presentation for the finals of the Feel the Beat competition, but the contest isn’t over yet. The top 6 were narrowed down to the top 3. The dancers were presented to compete in three rounds of the competition: 1 duo, 1 solo and 1 group and guess what? The ratings are back!
The audience was honoured with the presence of some of Guyana’s finest artistes – Don Gialiani, Poonam Singh, Brandon Harding, the National School of Dance, the X-Factor crew and straight from New York the John Keen Dance Theatre. With this I can’t wait to see the Grand Finale.
Guest judging this segment of the competition was Chief Director and choreographer of the John Keen Dance Theatre – Mr John Keen himself.
The introduction of the competitors was spectacular! All six dancers were illuminated flexing on a scaffold, they all did their signature poses and pre-movements. Some did splits on the boards, swung on the poles and hung from the bars. Ladies and gentlemen, this was perhaps the best introduction of the dancers I have ever seen, I was at the tip of my seat.
For sure the audience’s favourites were Adona, Nadata and Jemal. Dominic was the first to come down from the scaffolds, he introduced himself (as usual) as the shy little boy he always appears to be, Nadata was stunning! The crowd went wild. Quaison came down confident and subtle; Patricia did a lazy entrance compared to the others but yet it was good enough; Jemal was the obvious ladies’ man, all macho and intense. For me, Adona was definitely charged up to her fullest, it was the best entrance ever – she re-earned my best wishes again, never have I felt such love and support towards her.
For the first round of the competition, each of the six dancers was paired with a professional Guyanese dancer.
Quaison (and Ivlon)
This piece was just eye opening, from the interpretation to the characters! Quaison knows how to stick to his personas and connect with the audience but this piece was just out of his way – he pulled it off with great synchronisation! Judge Jovan Wilson said Quaison is perfect for the characteristics while Judge Clive Prowell summed it up thus: “If this is how we start the night, I can’t wait.”
The Scene’s rating: 4 Stars
Adona (and Mwanze)
Adona was as splendid as ever! Exotic and mind boggling; there are so many words to describe Adona’s presentation and styling but I’m just speechless. Her dance was a perfect counterpart to her performance. Her efforts were incredible but there was a huge flaw in the choreography – The judges were pleased to see Adona step out of her dancehall shoes and successfully into another genre.
The Scene’s rating: 4 Stars
Dominic (and Aliesha)
Bravo Dominic, Bravo! You continued your reign from the semis and danced in your big boy shoes. What was stunning was that you out-danced a professional! You proved to everyone that you belong with the stars and finally I see why you were in the Final 6. Jovan said it was a good thing Dominic didn’t depend on the other dancer to win (insulting Aliesha).
The Scene’s rating: 5 Stars
Jemal (and Rihanna Spencer)
Jemal was focusing too hard on the music and totally disregarded the audience. It looked as though he was still stuck in rehearsals. Clive mentioned, “It just didn’t work out because it felt like you were still looking for the choreography”. Jovan said, “Although you didn’t step up, we still love you.”
The Scene’s ratings: 3 Stars
Nadata (and Clifton)
This was it! This was what I was looking for. Listen to why I love Nadata so much – she simply knows how to express better than anyone else in the competition. And that is what dancing truly is and that is why she belongs on top! Nadata played a student in a love relationship with her teacher (Clifton) in a detention room. Clive expressed that the Ministry of Education needed to look into that story, he loved every moment of it. Judge Vivienne Daniel said Nadata is one of the best dancers Feel the Beat has seen.
The Scene’s rating: 5 Stars
Patricia (and Kijana)
Exceptional! Because of this brilliant expression the crowd gave the loudest applause compared to all the previous performers. I just don’t how to describe this piece, you will have to see it yourself tonight on television, exceptional! Guest judge John Keen said he loved her and he could see she’s a fighter. Clive concluded “That’s a million dollar performance, so far the best performance of the night.”
The Scene’s rating: 5 Stars
Round 2 of the competition was the group performances. The top 3 women danced to Michael Jackson’s: “What about us.” The song was charmingly construed and expressive to the point of evoking tears. Clive commented that the girls have indeed come a long way, Jovan said the piece was pure and emotional. John bestowed some advice: “You used the stage well, but never use fake emotions. When you dance it should be real.”
The Scene’s rating: 4 Stars
Excellent! Exceptional! Expressive! Phenomenal! Top Notch! These are but a few words to describe the performance by the top 3 men, well at least two of them. The trio performed the award winning, world renowned “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. Jemal came on stage as a pregnant woman, Quaison as a lady in a dress and a big hat and Quaison mimicked the two.
Quaison and Dominic were at it! Michael Jackson’s spirit just flourished in these men, the judges seemed to look past Jemal’s faults this time but other critics sitting at the side of me mentioned that Jemal killed it. Overall the judges pointed out that this by far was the best execution.
This was definitely an audience’s favourite.
The Scene’s ratings: 5 Stars
Round 3: Solos
Adona – 5 Stars
Adona was hot as she swayed her hips so JLo’s “Move your Body.” The crowd was going wild, this performance should not have finished. Jovan commented that the performance was spontaneous and full of energy.
Dominic – 5 Stars
Finally! Finally you are standing on your own! You brought it Dominic! You grew up a lot for the past two weeks and now you have earned it. This performance was in no way faulty – it was magnificent. Jovan pointed out that his versatility finally popped! Dominic got the best solo reviews from the judges ever!
Jemal – 4 Stars
He finally stepped it up when it comes to new dance moves, but dull with spicing up his performances – it’s quite apparent now that Hip Hop is all he can do, not enough Jemal, not enough. Jovan said it was fantastic, but Vivienne warned Jemal not to listen to Jovan because no matter what he did it would be “fantastic”. The Cultural Centre roared in agreement.
Nadata – 6 Stars
I was waiting for this the whole week! Remember Nadata did a solo performance which portrayed the death of Clive? Well the sequel was the burial. She came out in an all-black shroud, danced around a tombstone bearing a picture of Clive, she finally punched down the tombstone and stomped on it; obviously an audience’s favourite. Clive mentioned that Nadata was smart to even think up something like that and keep it going. The other judges said it was very dramatic. John gave a standing ovation and said it was absolutely beautiful.
Quaison – 3 Stars
Quaison did everything humanly possible to wow the audience in the competition except dance! His emotional interpretations excelled which proved his presence in the competition, but this did not sit well with the judges. Clive noted it did not have the big moves but it was safe. Vivienne added that the emotions were there but it needed a lot more movement to bring out the idea.
Patricia – 5 Stars
This is the most connected I have ever seen Patricia; it was as though she was actually fighting for a cause. The physical interpretation was magnificent, the emotions phenomenal and the character persuading. She really brought it. Said Clive, “If you keep this up we’ll just have to give you that million dollars”. John advised her to tighten her technique.
Judgement time
I have been eyeing these dancers like a hawk ever since their auditions, I know just as much as the judges what they have went through and what was expected. I know their faults and what they needed to do to remain. I foretold this outcome a week ago and look what happened! I was right!
Adona, Quaison and Jemal were sent home.
Next week, Culture Box will continue the Feel the Beat review, going through what the judges told the defeated contestants before they were cut from the competition, why they were sent home and what the audience thought of their eliminations. (Jairo Rodrigues)