Dance legends AdjeteySowah, Akosua Agyapong, Reggie Rockstone, Terry Bright Ofosu, and twenty other dance personalities and institutions, were honoured at the maiden edition of the Ghana Dance Industry Awards (GHADI Awards) at the Aviation Social Centre, on Saturday, 30th January 2021.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Dancetera, Robert Klah, “the purpose of the awards is to honour the dance icons and stakeholders who have contributed to the development of dance over the years.”

He added, however, that subsequent editions of the award scheme, in addition to honouring other dance icons and industry stakeholders, will feature competitive categories to enable the recognition of the best dance artistes and celebration of excellence year on year.

Honourees were picked from the various sectors of the dance industry, celebrating them for works done. From the couple dance community, James Parker of Apex Ballroom Dance with over 14 years of ballroom dance development and the inclusion of highlife dance; LumoBortei-Doku for dedicating 2 decades of his life to Afro-Latin dance in Ghana, operating Dancation International sessions; Ricci Boateng who operated Salsa in the City, Kumasi and more recently, Kizalsa in Accra, spanning 12 years of impact; the salsa duo performers Luumva Laryea & Beatrice Danquah for representing Ghana at several international festivals.

The street dance category also saw Heroz Dance Crew, 4Bent Dance Crew, High Spirit Dance Crew, and Kyses (all-female) Studios, honoured for projecting street dance culture at concerts, competitions, music videos, adverts, events, productions, coaching, workshops and more, over the last decade.

The praise dance category had Worship in Motion and Divinity Blazers recognized for promoting urban gospel dance and inspiring many talents to dance in the church.

Furthermore, the National Dance Company, Ghana Dance Ensemble, and the Dance Department of the School of Performing Arts (UG-Legon) were duly acknowledged for their roles in theatre dance. Malta Guinness was also recognized for their investments in street dance development; Shekoross for over a decade of organising free annual street dance shows; DzifaGomashie for supporting dance over the years at the highest office ever.

For those whose works promoted Ghana dance beyond borders, Fuse ODG was acknowledged for his global promotion of Azonto Dance; Incredible Zigi for creating dance steps such as ‘Pilolo’ & ‘Kupe’ which were performed by global stars including Janet Jackson; Ezuntey Flex for promoting Azonto Dance through his ‘I am Azonto’ dance project, creating the Azonto A to Z tutorials, and for using dance to support young lives in his neighbourhood; DWP Academy for rising to become the most influential dance academy in Ghana, with branches in the USA and Asia, whose icons are Dancegod Lloyd, Afrobeast, Mr. shawtyme and Yoofi Greene.

To acknowledge the importance of DanceSport, medals were presented to winners of the various dance competitions held; Battle in the Ring Competition from season 1 to 4 i.e. Dynamic Duo, Soljaz, Militantz and ABM crews; Dance of Ghanaian Origin Battle for seasons 1 & 2, that is, Lawrencia Akua Kuorkpe and Lucy Akua Noamesi respectively: and Praise Dance Battle Season 1 winners, Unto Thee Crew (Afro Steps).

The night came alive with numerous performances from the best talents Ghana has to offer. Humble Stars opened the show with a spectacular performance, narrating the evolution of dance. Mr. Kirts and Poimano Flames took us to church with unusual and refreshing praise dance ministrations.

The program was graced by Mark OkrakuMantey (President of the Creative Arts Council), Nana Fredua-Agyeman Ofori-Atta (acting Board Chair of the National Theatre), Nii Tete Yartey (former Artistic Director of the National Dance Company and son of the legendary Professor F. NiiYartey of blessed memory), Head of Dance Department of the School of Performing Arts, Mr. S. Kuwor, Vivian of Vivie’s Dance Factory, Petra Peterson of Salsa Ghana, and other industry stakeholders from the various dance communities as well as the media.

Credit: citinewsroom.com

The post Over 20 dancers honoured at maiden Ghana Dance Awards appeared first on The Chronicle Online.

Read Full Story