“They Are Going to Be the Next Dancing Bogle” – Boysie Roses, Happy Feet and More Support ‘Little Dancas’

There’s a transformational power of support that permeated the atmosphere at Little Danca’s debut reggae showcase at Pon Top Grill in Kingston last weekend. 

As preschoolers of the dance program hit the floor, proud parents whipped out their phones to document the moment, made more special by hotshots Boysie Roses, Happy Feet, Sara Bendii and more cheering them on.

“I do dancing for a mission which is to help young kids as we’re doing today as they are the future,” Boysie told DancehallMag. “I definitely feel happy and really overwhelmed to be here.”

He also took child protégés from his community, continuing the legacy of late dancer Bogle who was his mentor. 

“They are going to be the next dancing Bogle, Ding Dong, Boysie, John Hype, all of us. I see they love dancing so much and I believe in them.”

Happy Feet echoed his sentiments, emphasising the impact support can have on a child’s trajectory. 

“When I was younger, I did not have this,” the popular dancer said. “This wasn’t something that was available to me; the raw authentic dancehall and culture. You learn folk, kumina, and all these things in school but to actually learn the authentic dancehall? And, so, it was very important to be here and do that for these kids because they are going to be me as a dancer, a couple of years from now.”

Helmed by international dancer and choreographer Blacka Di Danca, the event formed part of a fundraiser to support the mechanics of Little Danca which is enrolled at different institutions including St. Martin de Porres Primary School and Kidz Kastle – Nursery & Learning Center. With DJ Smokey on the ones and twos, the children showcased their mastery, and for some, interpretation, of moves like Leggo the Bird, Pon di River and Chambala Rock. 

Performances also came from the Cub Scouts, singers King Kayak, Tuff Like Iron, deejay Kool Kid and dub duo Supertwinz, all of whom incorporated the “little dancers” in their set. 

“I’m extremely pleased, elated and ecstatic,” Blacka, now back in the States, told DancehallMag. “My soul is happy and that is the point of the work that I’ve done. I can see the future. I can see the sustainability in the actions of the children. It doesn’t make any other sense if I can’t see something or build something that’s gonna last longer than me.”

The campaign has also served as a form of healing for the multidisciplinary artist who is recovering from serious head injuries sustained at Miami Carnival in 2021. 

“I’m still going through it but the children are healing me and it’s making me forget the ailments and injuries and I feel so much more purposeful. If I’m going to go through pain, hurt or any adversity, then this is the reason why.” 

The campaign continues in New York in aid of a dance studio at Kidz Kastle, costumes and more. Donations can be made through the official GoFundMe campaign.

His sacrifices are appreciated by educators and parents alike, including mother Kimone Campbell whose three-year-old daughter has exuded more leadership and confidence through the program.

“When she just started, it was just an extra activity, until a function at the school and she was the lead dancer,” she said. “I was very much surprised to see that she was highly involved, following the instructions and doing really well. At home, I don’t get that from her at all, so, it was a side of her I’ve never seen before and, so, I am happy that I did allow her to take part in it.”