If there's one that's true about Goenkars, it's that music and dance is pretty much part of our DNA. Come rain, come shine, our joie de vivre never falters and is passed down from generation to generation as are the cool dance moves. And while Freestyle, Hiphop and Bollywood genres have been growing in popularity over the recent years, put on some good old fast music and Goans - both young and old, are equally happy to pick up their dance partners and show off their ballroom skills, with jive especially being an all time favorite.
Taking note of this enthusiasm and the ample talent all around, Cohiba Bar & Kitchen is all set to organise Just Jive Season 1, an All Goa Jive Dancing Competition which will be held between August and September this year at the Cohiba establishment in Candolim.
" Jive is something that has been part of the Goan culture for a long time yet there has never been a dance competition like this before. Greg (Furtado, of Cohiba) is always looking at doing something for the people of Goa and this is one such initiative which will be a lot of fun," says noted choreographer Sonia Jaffer of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa fame, who is spearheading this event. "We are especially looking at getting participation from the older generation and the more authentic jivers. The competition is open to everyone."
Jaffer also noted that while the older generation especially follow the two step count while dancing jive, a the six step count has become more popular among the younger crowd and through the competition they hope to be able to infuse both these together.
The contest will be held over 3 Fridays - August 25, September 1, with the finale on September 8. "The first round will be an open round where everyone just dances. From there, we will select couples for the next round which will be a face off i.e. we will pair couples against each other. Only ten couples will make it to the final round where they will then have to choose a song and costume and perfect a dance routine etc," states Jaffer.
The total prize money on offer for the winner and runner-up is a staggering Rs. 50,000. Rs.30, 000 for the winning couple and Rs. 20,000 for the runners-up. The competition will be judged by some prominent faces and Jaffer informs that they are looking at bringing in a Goan celebrity who has made it big outside the state to be a part of the judging committee.
" I appeal to everyone whether you think you are a good dancer or not to be a part of the competition. It will be an experience to remember and you will get a lot to take back from it," says Jaffer, adding that more than anything the competition is about enjoying yourself. " I have often noticed that technique is secondary. Couples who have really wowed are those that have been so real on the dance floor and this has been proven over time. So be there completely and take in everything."
Goan dancer Raquel Fernandes who is also a part of the event, which has been in planning for the last six- seven months, is also very excited about it. " Normally people in Goa have to go out of the state to compete in such events and now we have something like this happening here itself, so this is indeed an opportunity to look forward to," she says The event is sponsored by Jacob's Creek.
(Those who wish to register for the contest can send their name via an inbox message on Facebook to the official Cohiba page @cohibagoa)
