5 Questions with Joel Immortal

Contestants are getting ready to put their best dancing feet forward as they compete to rule the floor on the Jamaican leg of the Red Bull Dance Your Style competition, the global, all-styles, street dance event series.

The action unfolds this Saturday, starting at 7 p.m. at the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre and will be free to the public. The winner will represent his country at the 2023 Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final set to be hosted by Frankfurt, Germany, on November 4.

Red Bull Dance Your Style is described as “a showcase of electrifying moves and unbeatable talent” in which the dancers show their skills in various genres.

“Dancers participating in Red Bull Dance Your Style will need to ‘wow’ the crowd and ultimately win their vote. Testing freestyle and musicality skills through unpredictable mainstream tracks ranging from recent global hits to classic beats, Red Bull Dance Your Style will have the crowd deciding who will rule the dance floor,” the organisers say.

The event promises to be a night of awe-inspiring performances and high-energy showdowns, hosted by world-renowned Jamaican choreographer Latonya Style. The competition will take an identical format to that of last year, showcasing 16 exceptional dancers, who will battle head-to-head at the Transport Centre to vie for the title of Dance Your Style Champion.

Already there have been three national winners, Pancho Cautiion (2019); Flexx Cautiion (2021); and Joel Immortal (2022).

This week, 5 Questions had a sit-down with last year’s winner, Joel ‘Joel Immortal’ Pennant. A professional dancer, choreographer and dance instructor, Joel was born and raised in Old Harbour, St Catherine. He is a founding member of the dance group Active Immortals and lives by the motto “through dance I can be immortalised”. He started to take dance seriously in 2013, at the age of 15 while attending high school. That year he won the first place gold medal at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Schools dance competition and received the certificate for most outstanding dancer. His dance inspirations are Jamaican dance legend Gerald ‘Bogle’ Levy and American entertainer Michael Jackson.

1. What has the year been like since being crowned Red Bull Dance Your Style winner?

Since I won things have been going great! I’ve been presented with many opportunities. I’ve been doing a lot travelling to teach dance and many companies have reached out to me for promotional work as well. So all in all I would say the year has been fantastic!

2. How did you prepare for last year’s competition and what was going through your mind during the last round of the intense battle?

I prepared myself by listening to various genres of music. I would practise dancing to the different genres, too, as Red Bull Dance Your Style requires you to dance to various categories of music. I would watch music videos and dance along as well to help keep myself active so that my body was fit and ready. In my final battle, I just wanted to do something that would leave an impact, you know [bring] something usual and different to the table.

3. What was it like competing internationally in Johannesburg?

It really was a dream come true. It really was an honour being in South Africa representing my country. The experience was amazing. Being there taught me so much, I was able to learn a lot from the other dancers of the different countries. It hands-down was one of the best moments of my life.

4. As an up-and-coming dancer, did you ever envision that dancing would open so many doors for you?

Yes, because I was so persistent and never stopped believing in my abilities. I knew dancing would open doors for me. My friends and family believed in me as well and that support was very encouraging. Over the years, I continued to work hard and doors just began opening. Today, I still give it my all.

5. You were on stage at the Chris Brown and Friends concert on Sunday night. How did that happen, and has that exposure propelled you?

Ding Dong and Romeich reached out to me to work as one of the choreographers for Ding Dong’s performance. I have been doing a lot of work with Romeich which helped me get this opportunity. Even though it has only been a few days, I have gotten some good exposure, persons have been reaching out to me for bookings and events. It truly was amazing and a dream come true being a part of the Chris Brown and Friends concert.

BRAWTA

Are any of your Immortal crew members entering this year, and what tips do you have to share with this year’s contestants?

Freshhh Immortal, a member of my crew, will be participating in the competition this year. As for the dancers, I would say to just focus and also enjoy yourself. It’s all about dancing and having fun. It’s important to express yourself, entertain the crowd and just deliver. In the midst of it all try to also be free and stay fully active.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com