Bachata Fiesta, Goa’s biggest competition for the fiery Latin dance that has seen its
preliminary rounds take place on May 4 and 11, 2018 at Cohiba Bar and Kitchen,
Sinquerim, is set to culminate in a final round that promises to be crazier
than ever!
Bachata Fiesta, a competition for Bachata
social dancing, the dance storm that has taken the state by storm, was started
up with the aim of providing a platform to anyone who wanted to dance, to show
off their moves, and compete. According to the co-organiser, Bachata instructor
Snaden Shawn, the level of the dancing that was seen on the dance floor over
the course of the first two rounds, far exceeded expectations!
“We had the prelim rounds on two dates, over which we saw
participation by around 25 to 30 couples… selecting the top 10 that would then
go to the finale was a huge task for our judges, as the dancers were just that
good! The judges, all of whom are experts in Bachata themselves, were amazed by
the level of the dancing, and I myself am impressed by how much Bachata has
grown in Goa, over the last several months,” says Snaden, speaking of the first
two rounds that attracted scores of people to Cohiba over the last two Fridays,
to share in that sensual Latin vibe. While the prelim rounds were in the style
of social dancing, with couples spinning together on the dance floor, the
structure of the final round will be a little different, in order to keep up
with the high level of competition, and ultimately, to select the best. “Out of
the top 10 finalists, 5 will be further selected and they will be dancing
individually on stage, rather than in a group, so that the judges will get a
much clearer picture of the dancing and really judge their skill-level,” adds
Snaden.
The criteria for judgment, as Snaden discloses, that have
brought the finalists this far, and will see the best make it to the top,
include musicality i.e. the dancers’ ability to keep in time with the music, previously
unheard by them, played by the DJ on the spot; hand patterns and body
movements, the complexity of which is an integral element of the Bachata dance
form; and of course showmanship – with the finalists dancing onstage, they must
be able to play to the crowd with confidence!
With
the bar raised high by the dancers so far, the final round promises to be even
more exciting and interesting, with the best of the best fighting for top spot!
“I think the audience’s expectations have been exceeded with what they have
seen so far, and Friday night’s finale will be even bigger! What I had
envisioned for this competition, as the climax of the Bachata scene in Goa, has
been executed exactly as I wanted it, even exceeding the level of other dance
competitions. This is a first for the Latin dance community in Goa, and it is a
very good sign! It has even encouraged me to start thinking of the next step…
I’ve already started planning another competition,” concludes Snaden,
enthusiastically. Judging by the success of the last two nights, the Bachata
Fiesta Finale, set to take place on Friday, May 18 is sure to not disappoint!
