Antigua & Barbuda - U Can Dance

My name is Paulanthony (known as Pauly) Skerrett. I am a dancer, teacher and choreographer with over 25 years’ experience.  I have run my own performing arts school “X’po-Zure” for the last 19 years.  I am also the Artistic Director for SABA a charity establishment for Performing Arts for Young people.  I am a former head tutor for children with emotional, behavioural disorders and special educational needs.

I am raising money for an annual national event called “U Can Dance Antigua and Barbuda”. This is a platform for primary and secondary schools, plus local community groups of Antigua to come together and unite to perform at the Dean Williams Cultural Centre in Antigua. This concept will allow groups to showcase their talent through any genre of dance, which they have worked on within their schools. The schools of Antigua and Barbuda are not in the position to stage such an event. 

The money will be used for financing the theatre hire, marketing, staffing of the event, dance workshops, DJ, music entertainment and catering.

U Can Dance is my inspiration.  As a street dancer, I have always had a passion for all music and dance - Ballet, Bollywood, Jazz, Contemporary, Salsa, Dance Hall and appreciating the Folk Dancing of Antigua. 

Dance has always been a way that so many young children, youths and adults can express themselves whilst listening to music.  Dance allows any age, disability, gender, race and religion, to integrate and fuse together to provide performances which bring music to life.  It builds confidence and self-esteem, thus also providing performers with learning opportunities, such as team work, responsibility, showmanship and a strong work ethic.

In London we have seen such a progression where dance is concerned especially as Street Dance has become such an innovative genre and is now accepted in so many countries of the world.   “U Can Dance” will give all dancers something new and different to focus on, a new platform to share their talent and skills, with an international flavour and an opportunity to meet, learn and experience a variety of different dance genres.

I am just a vessel with a vision. I thank you for supporting this journey of giving young people the opportunity to perform in a theatre establishment, allowing them to open up their hearts and dreams. If you have supported this cause and are in Antigua at the time of the event, please feel free to contact me for complimentary ticket.

Tickets will also be given to each school for the event. Monies raised by these tickets will be retain by the schools for them to purchase uniforms, music editing, travelling and any additional needs for their dance department. Any funds leftover from this annual event will go back into the event to make it bigger and better.