The Street Beats Wow Grand Bahama

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.

STOMP your feet, Grand Bahama—Here Comes The Street Beats Group Show

The Street Beats Group from New York City will be drumming and dancing on Grand Bahama one night only, Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 8 p.m. at The Regency Theatre

The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society will introduce Grand Bahama to a team of vibrant professional young performers—The Street Beats Group—whose high energy shows of urban movement, percussion, hip hop, break dancing, drumming on everyday objects (such as five gallon plastic buckets, household brooms, trash cans, and even computer keyboards), are reminiscent of the popular off-Broadway show, STOMP.

Dazzling audiences with their unique beats and rhythms, The Street Beats Group will perform one-show only on Saturday night, October 1st at 8 p.m., and will also be conducting two student workshops on the morning of Saturday, October 1st at 10 a.m.

"The Street Beats Group's interactive workshops are great for beginners and advanced students. The fundamentals we teach will inspire and give a great new perspective on how you can make music by being creative with everyday objects," explained Zoilo Ruiz, the president of The Street Beats Group.

Individuals wishing to participate in either of the workshops are asked to call Gloria McGlone, a G.B.P.A.S committee member, at 242-373-2887 for workshop details. Special discounts are available for workshop and concert combos.

"Street Beats" promises to be an energetic and colourful finale to the Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society's third season and could not be possible without the continued support of Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society members and sponsors, who extend special thanks to Thayer's Natural Remedies, Pelican Bay Hotel, American Airlines /American Eagle, The Bahamas Weekly, and Keen i Media for their sponsorship.

For a small island, Grand Bahama is lucky to have big-time talent visiting our beautiful little part of the world. To get your tickets before they sell out, or for other information about The Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society, click here.