by Paula Boyd Farrington
Grand Bahama Island was treated to a high-octane performance by The Street Beats Group from New York City last night. The Street Beats rocked the audience at The Regency Theatre with their enormous talent and energetic urban groove — a riveting combination of drumming, tap, hip hop, and break dancing that had everyone on their feet wanting more.
Presented by The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society—a three-year old organization that has donated over $18,000 in scholarships this year to local Bahamian performing arts students—the event also featured the talents of Eight Mile Rock’s dance troupe, Exclusive, as well as tap and ballet numbers by students of the Lois Seiler Dance Academy, Georgia Taylor's School of Dance, and The Bahamas Dance Theatre.
An inspiring workshop with the Street Beats was held the morning of the show, giving enthusiastic local students a chance to meet the performers upclose and learn about their edgy blend of dance and percussion using everyday objects, such as paint containers and trash cans.
Created by a former member of the off-Broadway show, Stomp, The Street Beats Group creator, Zoilo Ruiz, has also composed and arranged for the World Famous Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, is a cast member of Slamm with legendary rock drummer, Carmine Appice, and is also the virtual drummer in the video game Rock Band 2.
For a small community like Grand Bahama to be able to enjoy this professional and internationally-celebrated group, is thanks to The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society, their members, hard working committee, and major sponsors, who include: Thayer’s Natural Remedies, Pelican Bay Hotel, American Airlines/American Eagle, The Bahamas Weekly.com, Mackey Media, and Keen i Media.
A big thank you to The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society for an unforgettable evening of exceptional entertainment, for reminding us how much incredible talent we have right here on the island, and for bringing a new rhythm of performing art support and expanded horizons to everyone who calls these lovely shores home.
