Photo Flash: Miami City Ballet Grooves at First Annual National Dance Day Celebration

On Saturday, July 30, Miami City Ballet welcomed dancers and dance lovers from all over the greater Miami area to Miami Beach to celebrate National Dance Day. Over 100 people gathered in Collins Park for a dance party where they learned the 2016 National Dance Day Routine and performed in a flash mob. DJ Hottpants got the party started and was joined on stage by MC and MCB School instructor Herman Payne, with MCB Dancers and J Marcos, dancer and creator of dance-fitness class Videosync, helping to demonstrate. Scroll down for photos!

After the dance party, more than 200 guests attended MCB School's annual Open House across the street at MCB Studios where they met the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders and got building tours from MCB dancers. Little dancers ages 3-6 got to sample classes offered in the fall as their parents watched, and the Videosync and Jazz Funk classes were jam-packed with teens and adults joining in the fun. Several more students came to audition for the 2016-2017 School Year Program. Refreshments were provided by Vita Coco and Azucar Ice Cream Company. The inaugural event was free and open to the public.

With simultaneous events happening in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Orlando and across the country, MCB was proud to host its first-ever celebration in Miami Beach and hopes to start an annual tradition for the community. National Dance Day was launched in 2010 by the Dizzy Feet Foundation and made popular by the hit TV show, "So You Think You Can Dance." It takes place every year on the last Saturday of July and is meant to increase awareness of Dizzy Feet's mission to encourage Americans to embrace dance as a fun and positive way to maintain good health and fight obesity.

Miami City Ballet recently celebrated its 30th anniversary season. Led by Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez since 2012, MCB was founded in 1985 by Miami philanthropist Toby Lerner Ansin and Founding Artistic Director Edward Villella. The Company has 51 dancers and a repertoire of more than 100 ballets. MCB performs for nearly 100,000 patrons annually during its South Florida home season in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Naples, and tours to top theaters domestically and internationally.

Miami City Ballet School, the official school of Miami City Ballet, is one of the most respected ballet training academies in America. The School's renowned faculty, challenging syllabus and affiliation with Miami City Ballet make it a place where all students - from children to adults - can receive comprehensive dance training. The School trains approximately 400 students, ages 3-18, in its year- round program, and 400 during its summer programs, granting nearly $500,000 in scholarships annually. More than 500 adults participate in a vibrant community division.

Miami City Ballet is headquartered in Miami Beach, Fla., at the Ophelia & Juan Js. Roca Center, a facility designed by renowned architectural firm Arquitectonica.

Photos by Mitchell Zachs / MagicalPhotos.com

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