take part in the Crop-Over Festival being held on August 2. And this time the 24 dancers and seven musicians are not letting the recession stop them -- as it did in 1991.

The Hendrickson-Nesbitt Gombey Troupe was formed over the summer of 1990. They toured Antigua where they dazzled their audiences with energetic and acrobatic dance routines during the Crop-Over Festivities that year.

They were liked so much that they were asked to perform three more times. The troupe leaders wanted to go to Barbados the following summer for their Crop-Over celebrations.

But then came the recession and those plans had to be put off -- until today.

After a year of dancing for house parties, hotels and the Department of Tourism, the Hendrickson-Nesbitt Troupe has saved enough money to go to Barbados.

Mr. Wayne Raynor, who is the group's tour manager, said that one of the reasons for starting the troupe was to keep the Gombey tradition alive.

"There were only one or two other troupes around then, so Mr. Lawrence Hendrickson and Mr. Tyrone Nesbitt decided to start another one.

"Our first performance was that Christmas (1989) and the following summer we went to Antigua and participated in their Crop-Over Festival. "The reception we got there was great. People joined in and danced with us. They clapped their hands and complimented our performance. We performed two or three times more. We even did shows at our hotel. They just loved us there.'' The troupes's members span two generations and all are from two families. They range in age from Zaniko Hendrickson who is two-years-old -- the grandson of troupe co-founder Lawrence Hendrickson -- to members in their mid 50s.

Last year the first competition in Gombey dancing was held at the Belmont Hotel. Mr. Gary Burgess who is also the Entertainment Director, came up with the idea to use this part of Bermudian culture as a tourist attraction.

Five dance troupes competed and the Hendrickson-Nesbitt Troupe placed third.

This year they placed first at the competition at the same venue on May 15.

Troupes were judged on dancing ability and how well the Captain directed them.

Mr. Shawn Caisey, 21, who started Gombey dancing when he was eight-years- old is now a Captain in the troupe.

"I am excited about everything. I just want to show everyone in Barbados what we here in Bermuda are all about.''