Blacka’s ‘Little Dancas’ For Reggae Month Showcase And Fundraiser
International dance choreographer Blacka Di Danca views dance as a tool for social transformation, the philosophy behind his Little Danca program which will host its debut reggae month showcase on February 11 at Pon Top Grill, 29 Westminster Road, Kingston.
Established in 2016 with bases in Jamaica and the US, Little Danca offers an opportunity for underrepresented children to learn how to dance, and, by extension, develop their confidence and collaborative skills, while keeping them out of trouble. Tomorrow’s fundraiser is in aid of expenses including staffing, equipment, costumes, transportation and refreshments at institutions affiliated with the program.
“Currently, we are raising staffing funds for our spring 2023 semester at St. Martin de Porres Primary School and Kidz Kastle Nursery and Learning Center,” Blacka told DancehallMag. “People should attend and support our free Little Danca event because children are the future leaders of our communities. It’s important for local leaders and the community to support and acknowledge their creativity, and help cultivate their ambitions.”
The Brooklyn-born multidisciplinary artist was introduced to St. Martin de Porres Primary School in 2013 through his mother who was childhood pen pals with retired principal Cislyn McLeish. The Gordon Town, St. Andrew-based school was the first on Little Danca’s roster, which had almost 50 enrolled students between ages two and six before the pandemic.
“Little Danca started off as a weekly dance program for St. Martin De Porres and quickly turned into a community program as other local school students joined our Gordon Town Community Center classes,” Blacka said. “Different school students from the same community committing to the same dance program is the first step towards social transformation – inclusivity.”
Inclusivity will be centerstage tomorrow with hopes to “redirect our positive energy back to the children of Jamaica.”
Blacka added, “Patrons can expect a dance performance from the Cub Scouts, dance demonstrations from local instructors for the children, games, school supply giveaways, a musical showcase including a performance from myself, and special guest appearances.”
He also launched a US$30,000 GoFundMe campaign to support the funding of Little Danca’s initiatives, more than US$400 of which has been raised. Blacka is further spreading awareness through the online ‘#littledancachallenge’ which encourages fans to recreate the moves from the video and post it using the hashtag.
Blacka’s brand is one of the most structured and strongest in dancehall, making waves by signing to Red Bull as an athlete in 2016, to recently signing paperwork with Romeich Entertainment to manage European tours for some Jamaican dancers.
He was raised in a Caribbean ecosystem which encouraged his curiosity about dancehall music, space and culture. It goes without saying that the self-taught dancer picked up more than a thing or two by watching hours of Passa Passa DVDs, and by 2008, won the Dancehall King competition hosted by Binghamton Carnival. Blacka expanded his brand by touring with artistes like Major Lazer and Collie Buddz, and choreographing tours for Farruko and Luis Fonsi.
He has danced in and/or choreographed music videos for your favs including Rihanna (Work featuring Drake), Cardi B (Mi Mami featuring El Alfa), Janet Jackson (Made for Now featuring Daddy Yankee), Shenseea (Blessed featuring Tyga) and XXXTentacion (Royalty).
He is also a recording artist with a repertoire including Buss Down, alongside Krossfayah and Clayton William.