Dancers 'Cut Loose' in 'Footloose' Dance Competition

A group of dancers “cut loose” on the stage at the Arts, Beats & Eats festival this weekend before a panel of judges that included actor/dancer Kenny Wormald, who stars in the October remake of the movie Footloose.

Contestants ranging in age from 13 to 25 performed original dance routines to the song “Footloose.” Saturday's contest was sponsored the radio station 98.7-FM, AMP Radio.

The judges, including Wormald, Hough and director Craig Brewer, chose as winners the best friend dance team of Donald Gilleran and Kristie Begley of Southgate. “I still can’t believe we won,” Begley said.

Gilleran and Begley won 10 VIP tickets to the advance screening of Footloose, entry and food tickets to the festival and free movie passes.

Elesia McCrary, 16 performed her own hip-hop routine for the competition. “I’ve been dancing since I was a little girl, and I’m really excited about performing today,” she said before taking the stage.

To kick off the competition, singer Beth Griffith, former background singer for Anita Baker, performed the Detroit-themed song, Light Up Detroit, written and produced by her manager, Gerry Zonca.

“Music and the arts has always been in my blood,” Griffith said. “My father was one of the Motown Funk Brothers. So I am very fortunate to have such a great legend as a father and inspiration behind my performing.”

Dancers were judged on creativity, dance skills, visual competition and artistic and technical skill level.  Some of the featured dance styles were tap, hip-hop, jazz and even hula.

The competition concluded with photo opportunities with the performers as well as an autograph session with Kenny Wormald.

The movie “Footloose” is set to hit theaters nation wide on Oct. 14.