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Dancing is a vital ingredient in the lives of the people of Turks and Caicos Islands. There are a number of traditional dances that are popular among locals and visitors. Dance, like music, has been influenced by African beats, as well as other Caribbean forms and European dance steps.In the “Wine-up” or “The Wine”, dancers gyrate the hips from the waist in a circle, front to back and up and down all in time to the beat of the Rip-saw, Soca or Calypso song. The popular Soca song “Dollar Wine” brought this popular dance to the international scene when cruise ships included “Winin” dance lessons in their daily activities. Winin is all the rage among the young children, who like to show-off their style at local festivals.
Other local dances include the “Shati” and “The Heal and Toe Polka,” a dance form preferred by the elderly folks who find Winin too energetic. The Shati is a stylized version of the Waltz, and the Polka is a mix of European and African forms. The “Conch Style” is a local dance done by stepping and hooking one foots behind the ankle of the other in tune with the ripsaw music. For soloists, the “Shay-Shay” is a free for all where dancers can show off their footwork and dancing skills.
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