Jamaican Dancers for Hire

The right answer to this question is ‘the one you’d like’. As there isn’t a single traditional Jamaican dancing style, performers can be extremely flexible with combining moves and other artistic elements into a show that fits a specific event.

At Hips Don’t Lie Dance Co. we can provide you with a group of dancers who will show your guests some of the common dances performed at Jamaican festivals or a contemporary show with the exotic flavor of this distant tropical land.

The style we currently consider traditional to Jamaica was heavily influenced by Creole, European, and African dances. At different parts of the island different techniques prevailed, which is the reason why ‘traditional’ Jamaican dancing is so versatile.

Nowadays, dancing historians distinguish seven ‘native’ Jamaican styles:

1. Kumina
2. Maroon
3. Revival
4. Myal
5. Rastafari
6. Hosay
7. Jonkonnu

All of them used to be performed at various religious ceremonies. Today they mostly serve as entertainment for tourists, though some rural regions still practice their traditional festivals accompanied with dancing.
In Toronto, Jamaican dancers for hire are highly qualified professionals who can combine different elements of all those styles for producing a beautiful show. Their performances often resemble a primitive pantomime, which is the ‘core’ of any folk dancing. It’s fascinating and charming in its seeming simplicity, but it makes a strong impression on the audience.
At Hips Don’t Lie Dance Co. we can augment these show programs with beautiful costumes, various props, and a soundtrack that combines traditional Jamaican melodies with contemporary sound effects. This mix of amazing choreography and great music creates a drive that spreads to the audience. It’s really no wonder that any Jamaican holiday turns into a mass festival with everyone dancing in the streets. If this is the kind of effect you want to achieve, Jamaican dancers for hire are exactly what you need to get your party going in the right direction.
This entertainment will work for:

• Weddings
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Workshops