Launched in June 2019, the Konpa Danse Challenge (KDC) National Competition aims to promote konpa dance nationally and internationally, to reconcile Haitians, especially young people, with their culture, and to develop new cultural and socio-economic opportunities around konpa dance.

The 40 preselected KDC contestants from all over the country attended a technical training at Quisqueya University during the past weekend.

On August 2, they received practical advice on the physical and technical preparation, on the fundamental steps of the konpa dance, with Gaëlle and Cliford Jasmin of "Ayiti Dans", organizer institution of the KDC.

The candidates followed attentively the explanations of Mrs. Nicole Lumarque of the Haitian Folk Ballet on Afro-Haitian dances (Congo, Yanapou, petro ancestral version). Which was accompanied by dancers Jethro Moise (Janaka) and Kerence Pierre, professor and dancer of the National Theater.

On Saturday, August 3rd, the preselected couples listened to Lesly Alphonse (musician) elaborate on the theme "Musicality konpa and musical listening" and Stéphanie Saint-Louis explain the "scenic presence". The dancers embarked on very animated physical and technical preparation sessions with Cliford and Gaëlle.

On Sunday, other theoretical and practical sessions awaited the couples of dancers whose intervention of the supermodel Mideline Phelizor on the "presence on stage". In the afternoon, the training ended on the university courtyard with a "flashmob" (short gathering) of couples to perform an impressive konpa choreography.

The regional selections are the next stage of the contest, which will be held in December 2019 in the grand national final, to designate Haitian champions and vice-champions.

HL/ HaitiLibre