The heat is on…on the dance floor! Keeping the momentum going,
Sylvester Coutinho and his team are bringing fresh talent to the stage for the
third time in a row at their DanzOn Competition to be held on November 14 at
Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. The competition
is inevitably stiff, awarding only the best on the floor. The beginnings of this much-sought after
show in Goa, however, had a more humble purpose. “I was losing dancers, either
to other dance troupes or because they were taking time off for studies or
going abroad,” explains Sylvester. “With this competition, I am able to tap the
best and recruit them for my dance troupe.” To date the troupe has won a number
of prizes and have represented Goa at ’Global Harmony’ Pune (2014) and are now gearing up to
represent Goa on an international level in Malaysia.
The competition which commenced in September 2011 was relatively low
key compared to the present day shows. “The first year was limited to
inter-collegiate students without a theme.
The second year we had the
‘Retro’ theme and by the time we reached the third show in 2013 we decided on
the ‘Hip Hop’ theme in three categories – ‘open’ for professionals; colleges
and higher secondary students. This year
we have gone a step further with a ‘Horror’ theme and the inclusion of a new
category – ‘The ultimate versatile dance crew of Goa’ open to the professional
group category,” explains Sylvester.
Eight groups have already been shortlisted for the finale which will see
winners awarded substantial cash prizes, certificates and rolling trophies.
Sylvester springs another surprise when he admits he is no dancer, but
a DJ who ventured to open a dance academy and made a success of it. “I am a regular DJ at Majorda Beach Resort.
One day I was asked if I could put together a dance troupe for a last minute
performance. My dance experience was
limited to Goan folk. But I have a very able choreographer and teacher in
photographer Ajay Arondekar. Initially he
taught students four Indian folk dances; Goan folk and Bollywood. We later graduated to also teaching
Portuguese, Latino, Salsa Ballroom, contemporary, hip-hop, B-boying and are now
planning to include an EDM fitness routine in January,” states Sylvester.
Sylvester’s contribution to the dance is his remixed music, which he
brings with his expertise as a DJ. “I recall for the first show I remixed the
Dekhni,” reveals Sylvester who takes care of all aspects like music,
coordination, investment and costumes for their six- member troupe. To their credit, they also formed the first
all-girls dance troupe in Goa ‘The One Diva’ with 11 divas. In addition to shows which are conducted
under the aegis of Sylys Events & Entertainment, the one dance troupe also
choreographs dances for various institutions and events.
For this DJ who studied production engineering, his first touch with
music was as a roadie for the band Sky High.
After a two year stint in Abu Dhabi where he debuted as a DJ, he
returned to Goa. Taking a leap into
professional DJing in 2001 at the Taj Exotica, Sylvester has made his mark in
his field.
To the younger generation however Sylvester has some sage advice
“Concentrate on your studies and keep dance an option, but dance with all the
passion you can muster.”
