Kids battle it out on dance floor
Several teams showed off their creativity and athletic ability with the Kandy Krush Dance Competition at Pottstown High School.
From basketballs to tutus, the entertaining event was a sight to see. The competition was similar to one on the Lifetime dance reality show “Bring It!” The show features a group of young dancers that travel to compete in hip-hop majorette competitions.
A local Pottstown team called the Simply Phenomenal Dance Company hosted the competition which had 12 teams from Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C.
Kenya Edwards, director of the local dance company, said May 13’s competition had several categories including creative dance, a battle between dance captains and a stand battle. A stand competition is when one team battles directly against another team on the dance floor.
“It’s like teaching the kids you fight with dance,” Edwards said adding that the activity is a positive way to let aggression and competitiveness out.
She said the local Pottstown dance team wanted to host a competition in the area so the community would learn more about the company and what they’re doing for youth in the area.
“They learn not to give up,” Edwards said speaking of the young people part of Simply Phenomenal Dance.
She said dancing competitively has taught the dancers that when things don’t go their way they have to work harder to achieve their goals. Edwards said the dance team is a positive outlet available to children in the Pottstown area. Students part of the dance company train in hip-hop dance, creative movement and perform in competitions in and outside of Pennsylvania. A professional instructor teaches the team about posture, coordination, strength and flexibility.
As seen during the competition, the dancers require athletic strength in order to perform a variety of flips, twists and turns all while doing a complicated routine.
“There are many benefits to hip-hop dance due to its energetic, fast-paced style ranging
from endurance and cognition to weight management and cardiovascular improvement,” stated the Kandy Krush Dance Competition event website.
Edwards said the local dance team does fundraisers throughout the year to cover expenses for travelling, competition fees, apparel, tuition assistance and more.
For more information about Simply Phenomenal Dance Company, visit the website at simplyphen-omenalda.wixsite.com/company, email SimplyPhenomenalDance@outlook.com, or contact Edwards at 484-6249333.