Sixteen local and international dance groups are ready to bring the heat to the finals of the World Reggae Dance Championship come Thursday, August 4 during the Emancipation and Independence Celebrations.  The finalists who were chosen at the recently held semi-finals round, used larger-than-life dance moves and acrobatics to prove to the judges that they deserved a spot on the international stage. The competition, organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, will see these groups representing their parishes and countries, as they battle to take home the coveted title of 2016 World Reggae Dance Champions.

Hailing from Kingston are: Outshine Girlz, Dominant Nation, Supreme Blazers, D’Originals, Street Team, Fantastic Steppaz and Breezy Squad. While St. Catherine is represented by the groups Dynamixx Team, D’Koloni, and Igneous Dancers. D’Squad will represent Portland, while Flava X Empire will represent St. Mary and Jah-Opa Conquerers and High Voltage Dancers, St. Thomas.On the international scene, representing Finland is Gaza Girlz, while NSA Human Dance represent France.

According to Director of Marketing and Public Relations at the JCDC, Stephen Davidson:
“These dancers brought their best to the recently held semi-finals and have truly earned their spot in the finals.” He continued, “Each group is hungry from the Championship trophy and after the battle on August 4 we whether it stays in Jamaica or gets taken home by one of the international groups.”

Davidson also noted that in addition to receiving the title World Reggae Dance Champions, finalists have a chance to win over a million dollars in cash and prizes from sponsors CHASE Fund, Tourism Enhancement Fund, Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, Post to Post Betting and Urban Development Corporation. The Championship is also supported by Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation, the Bob Marley Group of Companies, JACAP, JAMMS, Happy Ice and Lifespan Spring Water.