QVS dancers step beyond tradition to claim top prize.

Queen Victoria School (QVS) students challenged traditional expectations on the dance floor to claim the Best Dance Group award at the Kula Film Festival.

The Vulinitu group delivered an energetic performance at the Vodafone Arena in Suva on Friday night, combining elements from different cultures and taking on dances usually associated with female performers.

The achievement gave the students an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage following the return of the festival.

Co-ordinator Semisi Caucau said preparing for the performance required the students to balance rehearsals with school commitments and a busy cadet programme.

“We were busy with our cadet programme, but we managed to take out some time for the boys, and it was good,” Mr Caucau said.

He said winning the award was a proud moment after the students had waited for an opportunity to compete on the national stage.

“After a long year of waiting and grabbing this opportunity, to become a winner tonight is really good,” he said.

Breaking expectations

Mr Caucau said the performance was also about culture, creativity and challenging expectations.

The group drew inspiration from different cultures and incorporated them into its performance.

“We tried to mix all our different cultures together,” he said.

Mr Caucau acknowledged that some of the dances performed were commonly associated with female performers.

But he said the students were determined to show what they could achieve as an all-boys school.

“We know that some of these dances are usually for females, but we tried our best,” he said.

“As we are a boys’ school, we told our boys in every session that we would try our best to perform something that male students can do.

The achievement was celebrated by QVS teachers, students, old scholars and supporters who attended the event.