The 10th Ghana Dance Festival culminated in a vibrant Praise Dance Concert last Saturday at PIWC Atomic, celebrating the power of dance as a form of worship. This special event featured a competitive showcase where top Praise Dance Ministers engaged in a holy dance battle aimed at discerning the best group. The festival, held in partnership with PIWC’s Ministry to Celebrities, concluded with AfroStepz Dance Academy being crowned the champion, outshining other talented groups such as Dance 360, Flames Dance Company, and several others. The concert’s thrilling, three-round competition captivated the audience, each segment highlighting the creativity and dedication of the dance ministers involved.
In the initial round, teams showcased their talent by presenting choreographies set to their unique mixes, incorporating the popular Scott Evans’ song. This round produced five standout groups—AfroStepz, Dance 360, Flames Dance Company, Shepherds, and CDS—who advanced based on their performances that effectively blended their individual styles with the divine message of praise. The atmosphere was electric as the dance ministers poured their hearts into their routines, setting the stage for the subsequent rounds of competition that followed.
The second round of the concert saw participants express profound biblical narratives through Dance Drama, illustrating themes from stories such as Samson and Delilah, The Prodigal Son, and other moral lessons pertinent to the Ghanaian context, especially in light of the upcoming elections. This segment not only enriched the spiritual ambiance of the concert but also sparked meaningful dialogue about community unity and love amidst political tensions. At the conclusion of this round, Flames Dance Company finished third, earning recognition with a prize of 1,000 cedis, while AfroStepz and Dance 360 progressed to the final showdown, contending for the coveted first and second place.
The final round featured an intense face-off where the best dancers from each group were pitted against each other, performing to popular Afropop and hip-hop tracks. The suspense heightened as the judges struggled to declare a winner, ultimately leading to a tie. The panel, including notable figures in the dance community, called for an additional face-off to determine the true champion. After a riveting conclusion, AfroStepz emerged victorious, claiming the first prize of 4,000 cedis, with Dance 360 proudly taking home the second prize of 2,000 cedis.
Beyond the competition, the event fostered deeper connections within the gospel music and dance industries. Moderated by Robert Klah, a panel discussion underscored the importance of collaboration between dancers and urban gospel musicians. Insightful discussions featured urban gospel artists such as Scott Evans, Kobby Salm, and Kingz Kid, who emphasized the vital role dancers play in promoting gospel music. This collaboration is seen as integral to the growth of the gospel industry and invites danced evangelists to share the stage with musicians more frequently to achieve mutual goals in ministry.
The Praise Dance Concert also included additional performances by talented groups like Let’s Dance Africa and the Tema Dance Academy, enhancing the event’s artistic diversity. The event’s spiritual atmosphere was set by Royal Vessel Incorporated, followed by opening remarks from Pastor John Ofori Ofei Badu and other dignitaries. With essential support from notable church leaders and event organizers, the celebration of praise dance culminated in a powerful affirmation of faith through movement, resonating deeply within the audience, and marking the beginning of what promises to become an even bigger endeavor in future editions of the Ghana Dance Festival.
