2nd MALTA GUINNESS ‘STREET DANCE’ COMPETITION HITS TOWNS

By Niyi Tabiti

Last Year, www.niyitabiti.blogspot.com covered the first edition of Malta Guinness Street Dance in different states in Nigeria.It was great fun seeing young Nigerians with great potentials coming out to realise their dreams. The second edition is almost here and Malta Guinness brand has already announced they plan to take the contest to great heights this year.

According to Guinness "The excitement and ‘Top of the World’ feelings which characterized the debut of the Malta Guinness ‘Street Dance’ competition, last year, will again be pervading the whole country, this year, as the multi award winning non alcoholic brand, Malta Guinness, from the stable of Nigeria’s foremost beverage company, Guinness Nigeria Plc. Malta Guinness announces the launch of the second edition of the highly successful celebration of Nigerian dance talents.

Malta Guinness street dance is a concept which the brand organized to find the best dancers in Nigeria and give them the opportunity to dance their way to the very top of the world, it’s the search for Nigeria’s newest street dance talent following the runaway success of last year’s competition

As a listening brand, the 2009 edition will be bigger and broader with the brand extending the excitement and color of the second edition, which will be hitting the country in March, with the number of regional activations growing to seven from five last year.

This edition of the Malta Guinness, ‘Street Dance’ competition will start with regional events holding in the following cities namely: Jos, where the event is expected to kick off in March and then Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, Benin, Enugu Owerri, Ibadan and of course Lagos where different dance crews will be contesting for a shot to be the Nigerian ambassadors on the world stage as well as a chance at the over 13 million naira available in cash money through the competition.

We expect a minimum of 80 crews of 6 (male and female) from the seven cities and its environs which will host the Malta Guinness Street Dance Competition, who will battle through the screening stages to get a slot among the 10 regional finalist who will in turn do street dance Naija style at the regional finals for a ticket to be a the national event which is slated for June in Lagos. Nigeria’s street dance champions will then step unto the world stage in Kenya against 8 other countries including, Ghana, Tanzania, Cameroun, Kenya, USA, UK, Asia and France.

Last year, Soul Quest, the highly creative and entertaining dance crew from Kaduna emerged the national winner and represented Nigeria in the Pan African competition, which Nigeria hosted closing in second place at a keenly competitive event, the call was so close that the Naija team got a ticket to be at the world event.

The international event this year is scheduled for Kenya and we call on all Nigerians to step unto the plate and support the emerging Nigeria team as we step out to teach the rest of the world how to dance!!

From 9^th March 2009 dance crews of six people in Jos and all the other host cities can go to the designated recruitment centers where leaflets and demonstration videos will be available to give more information on what is needed to take part.

Our judges this year remain our very own Kaffy, Wale Rubber and Frank who are dance authorities and they will be taking this show on the road from March until the curtain drops.

The challenge is out on the streets for the “most incredible crews out of Naija” to enlist in the search for the champions of dance in Nigeria and key elements of the judging criteria will include, creativity, originality and Relevance to NAIJA. Dance crews that prove they are the smoothest movers and shakers will be selected to represent Nigeria at the International Finals, which is coming to Africa for the very first time in 2009. Dancers will be flown to join counterparts from the United States, Europe and Asia for a vibrant contest where only one crew can take the Malta Guinness Street Dance Internationals title. This competition will truly showcase the best in Nigerian dance talent to the world.

This year’s entrants will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they seek fame and fortune by dancing to the top of the world. Dance crews will stand a chance to win a chunk of the 13 million naira in cash prizes, get the opportunity to work with Nigeria’s best dance choreographers and professional stylists, take home exclusive merchandise, delicious tasting Malta Guinness and a DVD of their performances on stage.

Malta Guinness will be celebrating the energy and vitality of Nigeria’s dancers with an exciting entertainment showcase bringing 13 weeks of exciting TV programmes to our television sets at prime time showing on NTA network, AIT network, Galaxy amongst others, giving every Nigerian the opportunity to cheer their favorite crew to the top of the ladder. Audience members will also have the chance to show their support for their favorite dance crew as they watch Nigeria’s brightest stars begin their path to stardom.

More so, this year’s edition is beautifully spiced with an exciting national consumer promotion giving consumers millions of more reasons to share goodness as they win FULL crates of Malta Guinness instantly by collecting 5 crowns marked M.G.S.D.A meaning Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa. 8 families get a chance to enjoy the good life at a fully paid weekend trip for four at the prestigious protea hotel Lagos and the big one an all expense VIP trip to Kenya for 4 to see the international finals and also visit the safari. Other consolation prizes include Ipods, home theater systems and LCD TV sets.

Malta Guinness is the Nigeria’s premium soft drink that energizes you to feel your best. With a uniquely great taste and packed with the finest quality natural ingredients, vitamins, iron and nutrients to provide that top of the world goodness, Malta Guinness ensures that you have that ‘Top of the World’ feeling.

For further information on Malta Street Dance Africa go to www.mgstreetdanceafrica.com