This July, Couva becomes the centre of Caribbean dance.
On Sunday 26 July 2026, the Caribbean Dance Council (CDC) brings its Regional Dance Classics to the National Cycling Centre, and Trinidad and Tobago is hosting. Presented in collaboration with the Professional and Amateur Dance Association of Trinidad and Tobago (PADATT), the championship will see local dancers go head-to-head with a visiting contingent from Barbados across Ballroom, Latin, Club, Hip Hop, Conventional, and Open Invitational categories.
For more than a decade, the Regional Dance Classics has given Caribbean dancers a stage to measure their progress against regional peers, sharpen their technique, and build the cross-island relationships that keep the region’s dance community connected. Previous editions have travelled through Antigua, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago — and this year, it’s our turn again.
Dance Takes the Weekend
The championship is really the centrepiece of a full weekend of dance activity:
- Saturday 25 July, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM — A free public workshop, running alongside training for judges, scrutineers, and volunteers, and rehearsal time for competitors. If you’ve ever wanted to try a class alongside people who take this seriously, this is your chance — and it costs nothing.
- Sunday 26 July, 2:00 PM — Competition Day. The main event, with categories spanning every age group from Juveniles to Seniors, and every discipline from ballroom elegance to hip hop energy.
Why This Matters for Trinidad & Tobago’s Dance Community
This year’s championship carries extra significance for us at NDA. 2026 marks our 45th Anniversary Year as the national governing body for dance in Trinidad and Tobago, and supporting the Regional Dance Classics is one of the ways we’re marking that milestone — by strengthening the same regional partnerships that have shaped dance here since 1980.
Kenneth Wilson, President of PADATT and Vice President of the Caribbean Dance Council, put it this way:
“The Regional Dance Classics provides an opportunity for dancers to challenge themselves, learn from one another and celebrate the friendships and shared passion that unite the Caribbean dance community. We are delighted to welcome our colleagues from Barbados to Trinidad and Tobago and look forward to an exciting weekend of competition and learning.”
And NDA President Alette Liz Williams spoke to the value of regional collaboration in advancing the art form:
“Regional partnerships are essential to the continued growth of dance. The National Dance Association is pleased to support the Caribbean Dance Council and PADATT in bringing this championship to Trinidad and Tobago during our 45th anniversary year. It is an opportunity not only to showcase excellence in dance, but also to celebrate the relationships that continue to strengthen our Caribbean dance community.”
What You’ll See on Competition Day
Expect a packed programme across:
- Categories: Ballroom, Latin, Club, Hip Hop, Conventional, and Open Invitational
- Divisions: Juveniles, Junior, Youth, Adult, Seniors, Pro Ams, and Professionals, plus age brackets from 13 & Under through 16 & Above
Food and drinks will be on sale throughout, so plan to make an afternoon of it.
Tickets & Pricing
| 15 & Under | 16 & Over | |
| Advance | $75 | $150 |
| At the Door (Physical) | $100 | $175 |
Tickets are available now at islandetickets.com or through ndatt.org/events.
Come Support the Region
Whether you’re a lifelong dance fan or you’ve never watched a competition before, the Regional Dance Classics is a rare chance to see the Caribbean’s dance talent in one room — and to be part of a weekend that’s about far more than trophies.
Venue: National Cycling Centre, Couva, Trinidad
Free Workshop: Saturday 25 July, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Championship: Sunday 26 July, 2:00 PM
Tickets: https://islandetickets.com/event/cdcregionalclassics
More Info: ndatt.org/events
Contact: padattgroup@gmail.com
DANCE COMPETITION PROMOTION
Get ready to witness grace, fire, and precision on one floor.
This competition brings together the best of Ballroom & Latin — 10 iconic genres, 10 different stories told through movement.
BALLROOM – Elegance in Motion
- Waltz: The king of romance. Flowing, rise-and-fall movement in 3/4 time. Characterized by smooth, continuous turns and that dreamy, gliding look.
- Tango: Sharp, dramatic, and intense. Staccato footwork, close frame, and passionate pauses. It’s tension, release, and fire.
- Viennese Waltz: Waltz at 2x speed. Fast, continuous spins with sweeping rotations. Feels like flying across the floor.
- Foxtrot: Smooth and sophisticated. Long, gliding steps in 4/4 time. Think old-Hollywood elegance and effortless flow.
- Quickstep: Ballroom’s sprint. Light, bouncy, and fast with 4/4 music. Mixes Foxtrot smoothness with hops, kicks, and locks.
LATIN – Passion & Rhythm
- Cha-cha-cha: Playful and flirty. Syncopated “cha-cha-cha” footwork in 4/4. Hip action and cheeky connection with your partner.
- Samba: The carnival of dance. Bouncy, rhythmic body movement with pendulum-like action. Pure joy and energy from Brazil.
- Rumba: The dance of love. Slow, sensual, and grounded. 4/4 time with exaggerated hip motion and intimate partner connection.
- Paso Doble: Bold and theatrical. Modeled after the Spanish bullfight. Sharp, marching steps with strong posture and dramatic lines.
- Jive: The party starter. Fast, energetic, and full of kicks, flicks, and triple steps. 4/4 time with a big swing feel.
Who will own the floor? Come see every style, every emotion, every genre light up the competition.
LINE DANCE CATEGORY
We promise this: Your creativity leads. No limits. The Line Dance Category is open to every club, every style, every vision.
- Any genre goes – Pop, Soca, Hip-Hop, Afrobeat, Reggae, Country, Ballroom, Latin, or mix them all together. There are no genre restrictions.
- Any formation works – Straight lines, V-lines, circles, diagonals, blocks. The art is in the geometry. As long as you maintain your lines and move as one, the floor is yours.
- Synchronization wins – Judges aren’t scoring style limits. We’re scoring timing, unity, precision, and energy. Stay in line, hit the counts together, and let the audience feel that power.
This category was built for clubs to show off teamwork, culture, and pure showmanship. Bring your crew, bring your sound, bring your signature moves.
No restrictions. Just lines, rhythm, and one crew moving as one.
Register your club now. Let’s see who owns the line.
HIP HOP CATEGORY
Raw energy. Real stories. Total control of the floor. Hip Hop is where technique meets attitude — power moves, footwork, grooves, and expression all in one.
What Defines it?
- Groove and Musicality — Lock into the beat. Popping, locking, breaking, and freestyle all live here. It’s about hitting the music, not just dancing to it.
- Power & Foundation: From foundational grooves to freezes and footwork, every move shows control, balance, and strength.
- Individuality: Style is everything. Crews bring their signature flavor, swagger, and story. No two sets look the same.
- Battle Mentality: Confidence, presence, and reaction. Own your space, engage the crowd, and let the energy bounce back and forth.
This is culture, this is competition, this is Hip Hop. Who’s got the hardest set and the cleanest execution?
CLUB LATIN CATEGORY
Turn the heat up. Club Latin is where street meets sensuality and the floor becomes a party.
What Defines it?
- Rhythm-Driven: Built on Reggaeton, Dembow, Bachata, Merengue, Salsa. Heavy hip motion, sharp accents, and body rolls that ride every beat.
- Connection & Swagger: Partner work with flair. Close connection, teasing, and bold footwork. It’s flirty, it’s confident, it’s unapologetic.
- Club Energy. This isn’t ballroom. It’s freestyle, it’s improvisation, it’s reading the DJ and the crowd. High energy, fast transitions, nonstop movement.
- Attitude: Chest, hips, footwork, facial expression. Every dancer sells the vibe. If the audience isn’t moving, you’re not done.
Club Latin brings the dancefloor heat from the club straight to the stage. Bring your rhythm, bring your fire, bring the party.
MASTER PROMO FLYER
THE ULTIMATE DANCE SHOWDOWN 2026 4 Categories. 1 Floor. Who Owns It?
1. BALLROOM & LATIN – Elegance Meets Fire Where precision meets passion. Ballroom: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep — smooth flow, sharp lines, old-Hollywood elegance and power. Latin: Cha-cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive — hip action, rhythm, drama, and pure energy. Grace, technique, and storytelling through every step.
2. LINE DANCE – One Crew, One Movement No limits. Just unity. Any genre goes: Soca, Pop, Hip-Hop, Afrobeat, Country, Ballroom, Latin — mix it all. Diagonals, V-lines, circles — any formation works. Judged on synchronization, timing, and maintaining lines. Bring your crew and move as one.
3. HIP HOP – Culture. Power. Attitude. The heartbeat of the streets hits the stage. Popping, locking, breaking, footwork, and freestyle. Judged on musicality, foundation, individuality, and stage presence. Come with groove, control, and your signature style. Battle mentality required.
4. CLUB LATIN – Turn The Heat Up Street meets sensuality. The club energy comes to the stage. Reggaeton, Dembow, Bachata, Merengue, Salsa. Judged on rhythm, connection, attitude, and crowd control. Body rolls, sharp accents, flirty partner work, nonstop fire. If the crowd ain’t moving, do more.
THIS IS YOUR STAGE. THIS IS YOUR MOMENT. Dancers, crews, clubs — register now and rep your category.
The National Dance Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NDATT) is the recognised national governing body for dance and dance culture in Trinidad and Tobago. Established in 1980, NDATT advances the development of dance through advocacy, collaboration, education, and strategic partnerships — proudly celebrating 45 years of service to the country’s dance community in 2026.
