Endevarous Dancers take World Reggae Dance Championship

The Endevarous Dancers from St. Thomas won the 2014 edition of the JCDC World Reggae Dance Championship on August 14, ending a two-year dominance of the competition by dancers from Japan.

For two consecutive years (2012 and 2013), the Japanese had snatched the title, but as the dance groups faced off in the finals this year at the Jamaica Festival Village at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, it was the St. Thomas group who redeemed Jamaican pride.

Thirten groups, including Dynamix Team, STR8 Edge Society, Hectic Dymondz, Equanoxx Skankas, Untouchable Squad, High Voltage, Endevarous, Inkursion Unit, X-Klusive Dancers, Flava Flava Dancers and Ice Lynk Skankaz and Japanese groups, JA to JA and Yallow Yellow stepped out with the latest dance moves delivering impressive and entertaining pieces to a massive crowd.

At the end of the night, Endeavarous walked away with $500,000 cash prize, gift baskets and a trip to Japan to perform at the One Love Jamaica Festival.

Untouchable Squad from Kingston & St. Andrew walked away with second place, gift baskets and $200, 000 while the third place spot was given to Equanoxx Skankas who won $100, 000 and gift baskets. The "Most Disciplined" sectional prize was awarded to High Voltage dancers, who received $30,000, while Str8 Edge Society and Equanoxx Skankas were both awarded the "Best Costume" award.

The night’s judges included Shelly Ann Callum, LAntoinette Stines, Latonya Dillon, Fredrick “Tippa” Moncreiffe, and Queen Lateisha Brown.

The audience was entertained by performances from the 2014 Festival Song Winner DeepJahi, and dancehall artistes Voicemail and Mr. Vegas. The Doro Dance Ensemble, which showcased the origin of the Jamaican dance, also performed.