”There has been a sudden change of plans, host. We will now be performing the ‘One Dance’.” The coordinator looked at them in utter shock.
“You mean you practiced for months to perform the One Dance?” The host could not believe them. The sunshine dancers are a dancing group that are known worldwide. Why would they want to give such basic and elementary school performance?
The Sunshine Dancers is a reputable dance group known nationwide. Apart from the fact that they have won many awards locally and internationally, they have invented dances that are now used on a daily basis by the masses. The director of the group, Mr Frank is a tall and well built man in his 40s. His dream since he was young was to be a dancer. Well he lived the dream and now, he is a dance instructor. The group consist of 6 dancers: Ejiro, Wale, Ezekiel, Deborah, Precious and the newcomer Jude. They are all professional dancers who majored in dance in the university. Though they all not particularly rich, they are doing very fine and earning decently as dancers. They have their social media pages where they upload their amazing dance videos and make money from the thousands of views they gather.
They have a mini rival, the Diamond stars. They are not as popular as Sunshine dancers, and this gets to them big time. The former believe that Sunshine dancers are a barrier to them being the best dance group. So they do not really get along, which is a little unprofessional.
They are all looking forward to the big event coming up, the NDC (National Dance Competition). It is a popular event where dancers get to showcase their skills and abilities for the world to see. It is an opportunity to go global.
“I want you all to bring different ideas concerning the big event coming up. We have the potentials, it is an opportunity for us to gain more exposure. So I want to see what you’ve got.” Says Frank.
The day everyone presented their ideas, Frank noticed how unserious Jude was. His idea was totally ridiculous and he didn’t seem to understand how important the event was.
“If you are going to work well with us, you have to get more creative than this Jude.” Says Frank. “Do you think this idea of yours will even get us to the next stage?”
“Pardon me sir, I will put in more thought next time.” Replied Jude.
There is just something about this dude… thought Frank.
For the next six weeks, they worked hard to perfect their dance moves and steps. The formation, the rhythm, each one of them understands their role. They have been doing fine so far. The performance should go smoothly. So they thought.
The D-day arrived and everyone was gathered in their assigned space. But Jude was nowhere to be found. Perhaps he needed to use the restroom.
However, when he did not show up for almost an hour it became a real concern for them.
“Where has Jude been? Is this the time to just run off without an explanation?” Howled Frank.
”Let us take a moment to look for him.” Suggested Ejiro. They went in different directions, but Jude was nowhere to be found. They are to perform second, and the first performance is about to begin. They all got back to give the news that no one saw a trace of Jude. And right there, the first performers were called upon.
The Diamond Stars. Wait…
“Is that not Jude?” Asked Ejiro, visibly shocked. Jude is following them to the stage! He was a spy!
Their formation on the stage and the opening song gives them even more to be worried about.
Their performance has been stolen!!!
The team looked in horror as the Diamond stars performed all their rehearsals. Not a single change was made to it.
“It’s over”. Says Precious, with tears in her eyes. “We cannot go up there and repeat the same performance. We have lost.”
“No”. Says Frank rather softly.
His composure is top notch. “No one saw it coming. But since it has gotten to this, we will go up there and perform the One dance. The dance every every Nigerian knows. The one everyone dances in their homes, places of work, school. The dance that gives us hope of a better and united future. That is what we will perform.”
The One dance really has no rule. It consist of basic dance steps and movements that can be done even by a five year old. It is just moving sideways and making use of the arms to display signs of hope and oneness.
“We are no longer dancing to win a competition.” Frank continues. “We will dance to express ourselves. To embrace oneness, to have fellow feeling so as not to steal other’s ideas.
Frank signals to the coordinator and tells him they would be performing the one dance. He was shocked, obviously he did not know what has transpired.
“You mean you practiced for months to perform the one dance? My 6 year old dances it this morning!”
“The one dance it will be.” Frank retorted. There was no time for such antics pulled by the cordinator.
Few minutes later, Diamond stars finished their performance and it was followed by thunderous applause from the audience and judges. Sunshine dancers are called on next. They walk to the stage haphazardly, it was obvious to the audience that they had a problem.
The beat started and they dance with everything in them. They expressed their genuine feelings through their dance that it was felt by the audience. Everyone was familiar with the one dance, but they witness it in a different light today. In no time, the judges and audience were dancing along. Some even had tears in their eyes. It was a performance of great impact. At end, the applause went on for minutes.
It was so good a performance that it sent them straight to the finals!
There was nothing to do about Jude and the Diamond stars. They are also in the finals. There was no use explaining to anyone what happened. The finals will determine the best.
“Actually, the fact that we progressed with a contingency plan shows we are the best”. Frank said to the team with a big smile.
