Patrons along with a representative from the Ministry of Education were forced to endure a two-hour delay without explanation before the fourth annual Junior Ballroom got underway at the Linmine Constabulary Hall on Saturday 15 August.
The event, organized by the Right Step Dance School and the Linden Ballroom Association was scheduled to commence at 4.00 PM but did not begin until 6.17 PM. Patrons, many of them mothers who had accompanied their children, who were participating in the event and were punctual, were forced to exercise military-like patience, sitting in their seats, listening to recorded music of the decades of the sixties through the eighties, played by Electric Dreams.
But from the opening dance by diminutive Darren Semple and his partner Coleen Walcott, the patrons were treated to exhilarating displays of coordination, timing and flair in a variety of ball room dancing genres from the various boys and girls couples.
President of the Step Right Dance School, expressed satisfaction with the progress that has been made “in the four short years” tutoring the boys and girls, whose ages range from eight to sixteen and who were drawn from various wards of Linden as well as Coomacka, seven miles further up river.
He, however, pointed to the need for increased sponsorship to make the annual feature bigger. “Basically, we would like to continue along the line and get some more sponsors to come on board,” he said. “Without sponsors this can’t be a success. Some major sponsors turned us down and placed other things in front of these kids.”
Stephens also expressed a desire for the Linden-based branch of NCN to take an interest in the event. “We would like this to get back on the television, NCN, so that the entire public – Linden and Georgetown – could take a good view and see the great potential of the youngsters.”
“I appreciate the crowd, which turn out to support this venture and I’m very happy,” Stephens said, observing that a lot of patrons were mothers, who had accompanied their children. He added that women and mothers generally support the event but he would like to see more male patrons “because it’s good dancing” and they could come and learn “because it’s nice, social dancing”.
Stephens also expressed appreciation for the support that the organizers received from the Linden Mayor and Town Council. He is anticipating that with a new government in office the activity would obtain future support from the government and the Regional Democratic Council. Alfred King represented the Ministry of Education at the event, which was also attended by Mr. and Mrs. Marlon Nurse, the Guyanese couple who have made their mark across the Caribbean in ballroom dancing.
