On May 21, 2011, at 1:00 PM Eastern, Dance Parade New York, the only parade in the world to exclusively celebrate and showcase the diversity of dance, will mark its fifth year. This annual celebration of eclectic dance styles from around the world continues to grow by thousands of participants each year and will include a colorful explosion of 70 styles and 200 diverse groups, as well as an eclectic offering of decorative floats and lively music. The parade will commence at Broadway and 21st Street, travel south through Union Square, turn east onto 8th Street and end in Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. The three-hour post-parade DanceFest, to start at 3:00 PM, will feature two performance stages, dance lessons, workshops, dance parties and kids activities.
Since 2006, 30 of the 200+ groups have participated all five years, dancer participation has nearly quadrupled, and spectators have increased by nearly 50% each year, with an estimated 45,000 attendees in 2010. The non-profit organization will draw nearly 100 volunteers this year, many of whom have also been with the parade since its inception.
"Dance Parade pays homage to the spirit of dance - a tribute to the history, cultures, people, founders and styles of dance that touch millions each day," says Greg Miller, Founder/Director of Dance Parade New York. "This parade, the only one of its kind, establishes dance as an expressive art form for all ages. It provides an interactive platform on which to educate spectators about various cultures and their unique forms of dance, while inviting them to join the fun and start dancing!"
The impressive list of dance genres to be represented in the fifth annual parade will include traditional, cultural, urban, electronic and club dance styles and music. New participants include: Joffrey Ballet School; Chicago Style Steppers sponsored by 98.7 KISS FM's R&B groove-vehicle; Tom and Zach's Disco Dance Wedding Celebration with more than 100 dancing muses; and Burning Elf's eight-foot tall dancing toad.
Spectators seeking the best seat to watch the parade will enjoy the ideally located Dance Parade Grand Stands. Now in its second year, a lively MC will entertain Grand Stand ticket holders and dancers will stop at the stands for a quick performance. All proceeds support the cost of the parade and festival. Tickets are available at http://danceparadegrandstand.eventbrite.com/.
Innocent bystanders not dancing should beware; the official New York Dance Police (NYDP) will also be celebrating its Fifth Anniversary of ticketing spectators without a groove. This whimsical tradition will continue to bring smiles to faces as they receive a citation for not dancing. Coupons on the back of the citation will provide deals to local dance schools for lessons and services.
Participants and spectators can check into the parade on FourSquare as a moving target or post real-time videos to Dance Parade's YouTube channel. Fans can also follow the parade on Twitter and Facebook.
All dancers must register for the parade in advance through the Dance Parade website: http://www.danceparade.org/EE/index.php/join/join_parade/. Registration is free for individual dancers, and there is a suggested donation of $50 for dance organizations. The parade encourages under-resourced groups the opportunity to perform on the world stage of this popular parade route and provides free scholarships for organizations that cannot pay the fee.
