Get A Front Row Seat For Dance Parade 2012 : Grandstand Tickets On Sale Now!

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$50 Grandstand Tickets support the production of Dance Parade and DanceFest

On Saturday, May 19, 2012 get the best seat on the parade route as 10,000 dancers stop and perform in front of this year’s Grandstand!  Watch over 200 dance organizations be announced by our MC as they dance their way to Tompkins Square Park for a DanceFest. Bring your camera–there’s no other event quite like this one!

Dance Parade - Dance Groups

Where:

The Grandstand will be on 8th St between 3rd & 4th Aveneus in Astor Place, south side of the street, in front of the Cooper Square Building.

When:

Seating begins at 1 PM

Why:

This location is perfect for viewing the parade and is within walking distance of DanceFest, the post-parade festival at Tompkins Square Park. Our Master of Ceremonies will announce each group and all dancers will perform in front of the Grandstand.

Reason:
Funds raised from grandstand seating will support the cost of Dance Parade & Festival.

We will boogie our way down Broadway, hula, swing and Irish step our way past Union Square and into University Place. At Eighth Street we will Salsa, Tango and Waltz East into Saint Marks Street. Our House, Techno and Disco floats will have afternoon shoppers wigglin as they watch us get down in the heart of the East Village. A straight shot from there brings us to DanceFest in Tompkins Square Park.  At DanceFest we will come together and celebrate watching free dance performances, be able to take free dance lessons and enjoy a Dance Party.

Our mission is to promote dance as an expressive and unifying art form by showcasing all forms of dance, educating the general public about the opportunity to experience dance and celebrate the diversity of dance.

Price:

Tickets range from $15-$50, buy them in advance for lower prices! Day of Parade ticket sales end at 12 PM. Space is limited. Your contribution helps support Dance Parade.contact registration@DanceParade.org for more information!

Click here to purchase tickets

Dance Genre Buzz – Flash Mobs

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Splash Dance Flash Mob

Dance Genre Buzz – Flash Mob Dances

A flash mob (or flashmob) is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then disperse, often for the purposes of entertainment, satire, and artistic expression.  Flash mobs are organized via telecommunications, social media, or viral emails.  Famous examples include people standing as still as statues, holding mass pillow-fights or ‘finger-gun’ fights, or, holding a dance.

Whether it’s a marketing stunt or to bring attention to an issue, organizers say that flash mobs and world record attempts are a new and exciting way to get your message across.  A T-Mobile spokeswoman said: ‘Dance brings to life the fact that there are often unexpected, wonderful, exciting things that happen that you want to be able to share’.

Tower City Dancing Flash Mob

The term, coined in 2003, is generally not applied to events and performances organized for the purposes of politics (such as protests), commercial advertisement, publicity stunts that involve public relation firms, or paid professionals.  In these cases of a planned purpose for the social activity in question, the term smart mobs is often applied instead.

First flash mob

The first flash mobs were created in Manhattan in 2003, by Bill Wasik, senior editor of Harper’s Magazine.  The first attempt was unsuccessful after the targeted retail store was tipped off about the plan for people to gather.  Wasik avoided such problems during the first successful flash mob, which occurred on June 3, 2003, at Macy’s department store, by sending participants to preliminary staging areas—in four prearranged Manhattan bars—where they received further instructions about the ultimate event and location just before the event began.

More than 130 people converged upon the ninth floor rug department of the store, gathering around an expensive rug. Anyone approached by a sales assistant was advised to say that the gatherers lived together in a warehouse on the outskirts of New York, that they were shopping for a “love rug”, and that they made all their purchase decisions as a group.  Subsequently, 200 people flooded the lobby and mezzanine of the Hyatt hotel in synchronized applause for about 15 seconds, and a shoe boutique in SoHo was invaded by participants pretending to be tourists on a bus trip.

Eurovision Flash Mob

Wasik claimed that he created flash mobs as a social experiment designed to poke fun at hipsters and to highlight the cultural atmosphere of conformity and of wanting to be an insider or part of “the next big thing”.  The Vancouver Sun wrote, “It may have backfired on him … [Wasik] may instead have ended up giving conformity a vehicle that allowed it to appear nonconforming.”

In another interview he said “the mobs started as a kind of playful social experiment meant to encourage spontaneity and big gatherings to temporarily take over commercial and public areas simply to show that they could”.

Flash mobs began as a form of performance art.  While they started as an apolitical act, flash mobs may share superficial similarities to political demonstrations. Flash mobs can be seen as a specialized form of smart mob, a term and concept proposed by author Howard Rheingold in his 2002 book Smart Mobs: The Next Social Revolution.

Dance Flash Mobs

A Dance flash mob occurs when people arrange to meet at a certain public location and time to carry out a choreographed dance routine to music before disbanding minutes later.  Dance flash mobs have occured in airports, subways, city plazas, streets, malls, and various other locations.  It has become increasingly popular as people use the ease of the Internet to arrange mass gatherings.

T-Mobile Dance January 2009

Flash mobbing is seen as an anarchic, freedom-of-expression act, organized by individuals, non-profits, and large corporations such as T-Mobile, which create dance flash mobs for various promotions.  These marketing events have gained much exposure and recognition locally and globally with viral videos.

Dance Flash mobs come in a variety of forms.  One of the strangest was in 2006 when clubbers gathered en masse for a silent dance – each stamping the floor and waving their hands in the air while listening to their iPods.  This well known flash mob, the silent disco was held in London in April 2006.  At various London Underground stations, people gathered with their portable music devices, and at a set time began dancing to their music.  It was reported that more than 4,000 people participated at London Victoria station.  This had an impact on the regular service of the system enough for the city’s police to begin crowd control and slowly clear people.  Since 2006, there have been several flash mobs in the London Underground, including subsequent silent discos comparable in size.

Dance Flash mobs have been organized around the globe, and some even occur simultaneously in different cities and countries, such as the Thrill the World Michael Jackson Tribute flash mobs held annually on October 25th.  Like many flash mobs, participants can learn the dance moves to thriller with tutorial videos.  

The World Record holders for the largest recorded simultaneous flash mob was organized by ViSalus to promote their body By Vi fitness program and nutritional shake.  More than 50,000 people in 300 cities across North America broke out in song and dance at the exact same time.

View a video of the World’s Largest Simultaneous Flash mob by ViSalus in Hollywood California

The Guinness Book of World Records also recognizes the world record for the largest simultaneous dancing game routine.  It involved 10,730 participants dancing to ‘DJ got us falling in love again’ by Usher ft Pitbull on the dance Game central 2 Xbox 360, in an event organized by Starfloor at Palais Omnisports de Bercy, in Paris France.

Dance Flash mobs can involve any level of dancer, from beginner to professional.  Dance Styles are also celebrated with various flash mobs, as seen with Social Dance Groups, such as the New York Hustle Flash Mob, or Tango Flash mob group.

Dance flash mobs also pay tribute to various pop icons such as Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga and a multitude of other celebrities, such as Oprah.

Catch a Lady Gaga Video – Made in Thailand in March 2012

Dance Flash Mobs also enlist notable choreographers and professional dancers.  Some flash mobs also pay tribute to legendary artists, such the choreographer Pina Bausch.

View the Pina Baush Flash Mob filmed in 2011.
Presented by PARADE and COCOR FILM STOR.  Supported by the National Center of Dance Bucharest.  Flash mob Choreographer: Mircea Ghinea

World Records

Dance flash mobs have exploded across the globe and are setting world records in the process.  View this list of dance flash mobs and their related world records for the multiple events.  (Courtesy of http://www.worldrecordsacademy.org)

Single flash mobs may incorporate different dance styles into their choreography, such as the mix of hip hop, disco and ballroom dance, as seen in T-Mobile’s latest promotion for 2012.  T-Mobile’s first Dance Flash mob from 2009 currently has over 34 million hits on YouTube, and the viral video craze has been instrumental in connecting massive online audiences through dance and the dance flash mob phenomenon.

Participate in a Dance Flash Mob at the NYC Dance Parade

Dance flash mobs occur in most cities, including our very own.  This year Dance Parade New York hosts a variety of dance flash mobs at its annual event.  Join us on Saturday, May 19th  for the 6th Annual Dance Parade and Festival.  Starting at 1 pm, flash mob groups will dance down Broadway, past the Grandstands at Astor Place and across St Mark’s Street into Tompkins Square Park.  Participate in dance flash mobs at the dance festival from 3-7pm.  We like to extend special thanks to each of the flash mob organizers participating in this year’s event.

Genre Buzz: Dance Education Series

Genre Buzz Source: Excerpts from Wikipedia

More about Dance Genre Buzz:

Each month, a new dance style is celebrated. View videos and learn about the heritage and history of different dance styles. Discover innovators of the dance, trends, variations, and current events for each dance genre featured. Watch artistic videodances featuring dance styles, and learn more about Dance made for the Camera.  View more Dance Films on Video Dance TV

Participate in Dance Genre Buzz:

Help Dance Parade New York and Video Dance TV support the dance community. Share information on each dance style we feature, including dance classes, events, competitions, and other productions, such as film and video productions. Teachers, participants, and enthusiasts are welcome to share their network and experience with our audience to support dance education, online and on the dance floor!

By Dawn Paap, Editor for Dance Genre Buzz Series


 

 


 

Introducing 2012 Dance Parade Grand Marshal : Elisa Monte

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With The 6th Annual Dance Parade and DanceFest only a little over a week away, we continue with our introductions of our 2012 Grand Marshals. The recognized individuals are chosen by Dance Parade for their contribution to a particular genre of dance.

Our next Grand Marshal for 2012 is…

Elisa Monte

A professional dancer since age 11, Elisa Monte made her debut at New York’s City Center in the Agnes DeMille revival of Carousel. An alumnus of George Balanchine’s  School of American Ballet, she spent eight years as a principal dancer with the Martha Graham Company, and also danced with Lar Lubovitch and Pilobolus, among others. The late Alvin Ailey championed Monte’s work from its beginnings. He brought her first choreographic work, Treading, into his company’s repertoire and also commissioned Pigs & Fishes. The two companies have maintained a strong link ever since. Judith Jamison’s support of EMD has extended that tradition with the commission of Mneumonic Verse.

Free after party after IDD on 4/29

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Join us in celebration of International Dance Day and the amazing performances witnessed at Dance Parade’s fun-raiser at Dixon Place! After the event, head over to the Delancey (168 Delancey bet Clinton & Attorney) to hear some Free House/Dub+ and enjoy the company of the dancers and many members of Dance Parade! See you there!

The Delancey Lounge

Gadget Trish Announces Beat It NYC and Thrill The World Join Forces This Year At Dance Parade!

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For the first time ever, two major New York City Michael Jackson dance groups are collaborating for the Dance Parade.

Have you ever wanted to learn Michael Jackson dance moves? Now’s your chance! Come learn Beat It, Thriller, and The Drill with BEAT IT NYC & THRILL THE WORLD NYC! Two separate dance groups uniting to create The Ultimate Michael Jackson Dancing League!!!  Click here for details

To register to dance in the parade click here

check out some hilarious bloopers of their promo video for the collab!

Chauncey Chat : Interview with Grandstand MC & DJ BooshWheelz!

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Dance Parade’s Social Media Maestro and DJ himself Chauncey D had the distinct opportunity to ask returning DJ & MC of the Dance Parade Grandstand some interesting questions about his experience with Dance Parade and his reason for doing what he does well.   Here is an exclusive Chauncey Chat with DJ BooshWheelz!

 Grab a seat at this year’s Grandstand and catch BooshWheelz in action!!

 

How did you first find out about Dance Parade?
I found out about Dance Parade in 2010 from a very good friend of mine named Brian K. Austin aka MC Aero who is actively involved with Dance Parade. The day he told me about it and I was sold! I came out and danced with the House Music Float. Jellybean Benitez was the DJ that year… HE KILLED IT!!!

 

What made you want to get involved?
I love music and I love to dance. I love to watch people dance. I think it is our most natural form of expression other than gestures. If I can influence people and encourage them to dance in any way possible, I’m SOLD!!!

 

You were the very first MC to work the crowd at Dance Parade’s Grandstand at Astor Place last year, how would you describe your experience watching Dance Parade as it turns onto St. Mark’s Place towards Tompkins Square Park?

The experience was fifty thousand leagues beyond breathtaking. There were moments where it was actually hard to focus on what I was doing because the dancers were so amazing!

 

You’ve spun all over the globe and at various types of venues, what makes the crowd of spectators at Dance Parade different?
The diversity… Dance parade brings all of the dance styles and cultures together on one day. I have never seen anything like it.

You’ll be returning this year as MC and DJ at this year’s Grandstand. What made you want to come back?

Are you kidding? What would make me NOT want to come back should be the question! The love from and for the dancers, the crowd’s responsiveness, the energy… Nothing short of wonderous!! Am I being too wordy?

 

Did you have any stand out favourite dance groups during last year’s parade?

There were a few that really stood out for me… Some of the Swing people were absolutely incredible, the Belly Dancers… YUMMY! The Roller Skaters…. The Hula Hoopers…. the Kanga people… BANANAS!! But I believe my favorite were the Bolivianos… There were quite a few troupes of them… Their colorful outfits were unbelievable and the choreography and timing were impeccable!!

 

Now for the music….What type of music should one expect to hear at one of your gigs?

It depends on where I’m spinning and what I am booked for but I am best known for Deep/Soulful House Music. I was resident DJ for “A Monthly Bondfire” at Bowery Poetry Club for two years before the event retired this past February.

You’ve been at the craft for a while now, can you tell us the difference in the scene now compared to when you first became a DJ?

The scene has become super competitive with the advent of Virtual DJing. Now everyone with a laptop and internet access can be a “DJ” there is a lost art of spinning vinyl and beat matching with creative off the cuff mixes that is starting to become a rare find. There are a lot more parties but a lot less creativity in the mixes. Things have really changed with technology. One thing remains stable though… People love to DANCE!!!

 

Name three tracks that are really making a heavy rotation in your sets?

CREAM (Original Mix) by Claptone
SUMBACK by Aera and Marc Schneider
3 Weeks Later by FL Jones

 

Become a fan of DJ BooshWheelz on Facebook!

 

Aside from your new mix featured on AUDIO DANCE PARADE where else can one hear your sets online?

You can always look me up at my official website
I am also on SoundCloud

ReverbNation

I also have a featured blog on Home4House

When I post new I will announce them on http://Twitter.com/DJBooshWheelz so follow me @DJBooshWheelz

 

When and where is your next gig?

My next gig is in Prague, Czech Republic on April 27th. I have a few dates there, in Berlin Germany and Lyon, France. I am returning to NYC just for Dance Parade. Then I will head back out on the road.

 

Lastly, if you were to pitch the parade and festival to someone on the street…what would you say?

No ifs, ands or buts, Dance Parade is where you need to be on May 19th. It will blow your mind and captivate your soul. There is no event like it on the planet!!!  You will see things you never imagined in your life.

Peace,
-DJ BooshWheelz

Now check out DJ BooshWheelz with his exclusive mix for AUDIO DANCE PARADE on Podomatic!

 

 

Two World Renowned Dance Schools To Appear In This Year’s Dance Parade!

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THE AILEY EXTENSION & THE ISADORA DUNCAN DANCE COMPANY

TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SIXTH ANNUAL DANCE PARADE AND FESTIVAL

New York, April 24, 2012 – Dance Parade is pleased to announce world-renowned New York dance institutions – The Ailey Extension and Lori Belilove and The Isadora Duncan Dance Company – are among this year’s participants at Dance Festival.  Dance Parade New York is the only dance organization in the world to exclusively celebrate and showcase the diversity of dance, and marks its sixth year on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 1pm Eastern.

 

The Dance Parade commences at 1pm at Broadway and 21st Street, traveling 2 miles south through Union Square, turns east onto St. Mark’s Place and ends in Tompkins Square Park in the East Village.  The three-hour post-parade Dance Festival, to start at 3pm, and will feature two performance stages, dance lessons, workshops, dance parties and kids activities.  All events are free to the public.

 

The Ailey Extension’s SharQui™ Bellydance Workout will take place at the Dance Festival in Tompkins Square Park.  The program offers dance and fitness classes in over 25 different techniques that are designed for the general public.  With more than 80 classes each week, the Ailey Extension, makes dance accessible to everyone.

Dancers from The Isadora Duncan Dance Company will perform on stage during the Dance Festival.  Isadora Duncan was the inventor of American Modern dance.

 

Dance Parade, since its inception in 2007, has seen 30 of the 200+ groups participate for all five years; dancer participation has increased four fold; and spectators have increased by nearly 50% each year, with an estimated 65,000 attendees in 2012. The impressive list of dance genres to be represented in theSixth Annual parade will include traditional, cultural, urban, electronic, and club dance styles. 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.

ABOUT DANCE PARADE NEW YORK 

Dance Parade New York is an entity of Dance Parade Inc., which began in 2006 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Its charitable mission is to promote dance as an expressive and unifying art form, while educating the public about opportunities to experience dance. Dance Parade celebrates diversity by showcasing all forms of dance around the world through sponsorship of a yearly, citywide dance parade and dance festival. Additional programs include education outreach and artistic partnerships to aid in increased public awareness and the showcasing of dance on multiple levels.  


ABOUT THE AILEY EXTENSION

Since its inception in 2005, The Ailey Extension has fulfilled Mr. Ailey’s life-long commitment of bringing dance to everyone by offering “real classes for real people.”  The Extension offers over 80 classes per week in over 25 different dance and fitness techniques for all levels.  Over 48,000 people have taken classes at Ailey’s home, New York’s largest building dedicated to dance, where dancers of all levels and walks of life can learn and be inspired – body, mind, and spirit!  For more information, please visit aileyextension.com

For photos and press materials, please visit pressroom.alvinailey.org

Dance Genre Buzz – Korean Dance

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Korean traditional dance originated in ancient shamanistic rituals thousands of years ago. By the time of the later Korean kingdoms, Goryeo and Joseon, in the 2nd millennium CE, Korean traditional dance benefited from regular support of the royal court, numerous academies, and even an official ministry of the government.  This beautiful dance form is both ancient and very new.   Like many dance forms its origins begin in pre-agricultural societies on the Korean peninsula.

The difference between Korean dance and other ‘traditional’ or ‘folkloric’ dance forms is  that many of these Korean dance forms were maintained over the millennia in various perspectives of form, movement, rhythm or music.   Korean dance is an 8000 year old dance form that  has been preserved and reconstructed in various contexts and brought to modern times and now… to North America!

Vancouver Korean Dance Society

A number of different dances gained permanent high status, including the Hermit dance, the Ghost dance, Buchae Chum (the fan dance), Seung Mu (the Monk dance), the Oudong (Entertainer) dance and others, despite the fact that many had humble origins.

For example, the Fan dance is believed to have originated with shamans performing nature rites with leaves but evolved into one of the most highly refined Korean dances.

In the Ghost dance, the entertainer has a joyous reunion with a deceased spouse, only to endure the heartbreak of re-separation, and there may few or no props.  On the other hand, the Great Drum dance (one of several forms of drum dances) features a gaudy drum which may be taller than the performer.  The drum tempts a monk until finally he succumbs to it and performs a rolling drum “orgy.”

Due to the cultural suppression by Imperial Japan, arguably considered cultural genocide during the Colonial Korea, most of the dance academies died out and some dances were lost as well as some of dance forms were distorted.

However, few pioneering Korean dancers such as Choi Seung-hee (최승희 崔承喜) created new forms of Korean dances based on the traditional dances and kept many of the traditions alive in secret and abroad, and today Korean traditional dance is enjoying a vibrant resurgence.  Numerous universities in Korea teach Korean traditional dance, and even some universities abroad now provide instruction in the forms.  Top dancers are recognized as “Living National Treasures” and are charged to pass their dances down to their students. The lineages of dance and dancers may be traced back several generations through such connections.

Enjoy this video featuring the Korean Dance Style by Mei-A-Li

Dance Styles

Within Korean dance there are several traditional ‘genres’ (or dance styles) evolving from the graceful to the physically dynamic.   Korean Traditional Dance consists of court dances [Tang Ak and Hyang Ak], ritual dances [Shaman, Buddhist and Confucian] and a variety of folk dances.  While the highly stylized court dances displayed important dimensions of discipline, grandeur, and elegance to create “aestheticism of the inner spirit,” folk dances, especially mask dances, showed spontaneity, humor, freedom and satire.
We now consider ‘Traditional’ dances such as T’ae P’yong mu, Seung mu, Salpuri Ch’um, Sogo Ch’um, Jinju and Hwanghaedo Gummu and many other folkloric and national Korean dance pieces to be rooted in Korea’s history and dance history.  But this is a testament to the fact that Korean dance is a living tradition. It evolves with the social and performance needs of the current society, yet does not budge or change in its form and technique.

Ritual dance

A central element of Korean Buddhist culture, Yeongsanjae is a re-enactment of Buddhas delivery of the Lotus Sutra on the Vulture Peak in India, through which philosophical and spiritual messages of Buddhism are expressed and people in attendance develop self-discipline. Yeongsanjae begins with a ritual reception for all the saints and spirits of heaven and earth and concludes with a farewell ritual representing manners of the otherworldly realm of Buddha, with singing, ceremonial adornment and varied ritual dances such as the cymbal dance, drum dance and ceremonial robe dance.  The ceremony serves as an important space for transmission of values and art forms and for meditation, training and enlightenment.  View the video by by Cultural Heritage Administration to learn more about the Ritual Dance Style.
The core element of Korean dance is that it takes the internal expression each person possesses and transmits this expression via dance.
This is done with movements that begin with the breath [Heou’hoep] and use of vertical movement [Tentien].  This creates a feeling of suspension and the feeling of heaviness.  The use of and curvilinear shapes dominates most of the dance vocabulary.  These fundamental elements are what identifies or defines Korean dance as ‘traditional’.

Korean traditional dance does not necessarily follow the forms of Western dance; however it does share some similarity with a commonly known form of dance also known as contemporary and lyrical.  Moves follow a curvilinear path with little short term repetition.  The dancer’s legs and feet are often entirely concealed by billowing Hanbok.  Emotional attributes of the dances include both somberness and joy.  The dancer must embody the fluid motion that surges through the traditional music that the dancers perform to.  Korean traditional dance is often performed to Korean traditional music, which includes traditional drums, flutes, and more.  The music is what upholds the dance and the dancer is the tool that shows the music in physical form.

Folk Dance

Seungmu is one of the most representative folk dances of Korea, performed by a dancer dressed in a Buddhist monk’s attire. Although commonly referred to as “monk dance,” seungmu is not a dance formally associated with Buddhist rituals or danced by a monk.  This highly-sophisticated dance with a complex rhythmic structure and intricate choreographic designs gives intense expressions to life’s joys and sorrows and depicts the human struggle to transcend and sublimate themselves.  View this traditional movement style in the video “Seungmu : Korean Traditional Buddhist dance”

The term “Korean traditional dance” [Hangook MuYong] is used to define dance in the Korean peninsula by incorporating these fundamental dance movements and including the elements of its historical and cultural heritage in storyline or costume.
The definition of tradition is loosely interchanged with the terms folk dance, national dance and character dance.  The majority of dances presented today in Korea as ‘traditional’ are folkloric in origin as they evolved naturally and spontaneously in conjunction with activities of daily life and experiences; however they have become nationalistic as they have become tools of diplomacy and cultural export.  The reality is that most dances presented are character dances as they were created by fitting the characteristic steps and designs of the folk tradition for the stage and public performance.  They have been reconstructed, shortened  and placed in artificial performance settings such as a stage.

Court dance

Cheoyongmu - A Court dance

Korean court dances is called “jeongjae” (hangul:정재, hanja:呈才) which originally referred to “display of all talent” including not only dance but also other performing arts such as jultagi (줄타기 tightrope walking), gong deonjigi (공던지기), and mokmatagi (목마타기) but gradually only denoted “court dance”. The term has been used since the early period of Joseon dynasty.

 

Jeongjae were used to perform for the royal family, court officials, and foreign envoys or for festive occasions sponsored by the state. Jeongjae is divided into the two categories, “Dangak jeongjae” (당악정재) and “Hyangak jeongjae” (향악정재). Dangak jeongjae are dances derived from court dances of Tang China during the Goryeo dynasty, whereas the other consist of newer court dances originated in Korea.

View this VIDEO to see the Korean Court Dance Style

See Korean Dance Performances at Dance Parade’s Upcoming Events

Many of the dance pieces presented as ‘Korean’ since Dance Parades inception have included dances that are identified as ‘traditional’.  Each year we have seen folkloric, traditional [character] dance and neo-traditional dance pieces [pieces using traditional musical instruments, traditional musical scores and traditional dance movements created since 1953 to present times].  Dance Parade celebrates Korean Dance annually at its International Dance Day event, Dance Parade and Festival.
Join us on Saturday, April 29th to celebrate International Dance Day with Dance Parade.  See Karen Kriegel of the World Dance Initiative perform traditional style fan dances.  Dance Parade will include KTMDI, the Korean Traditional Music And Dance Institute performing a folk dance and music form called PoongMool Nori and next to KTMDI at Dance Parade will be the World Dance Initiative performing another folk mask dance called Bong San Tal Chum.  At this year’s Dance Festival in Tompkins Square Park attend performances by KTMDI presenting Jindo Puck Chum a drum and dance piece originating in region of Jindo in South Korea.

Genre Buzz: Dance Education Series

Genre Buzz Source: Excerpts from Wikipedia

More about Dance Genre Buzz:

Each month, a new dance style is celebrated. View videos and learn about the heritage and history of different dance styles. Discover innovators of the dance, trends, variations, and current events for each dance genre featured. Watch artistic videodances featuring dance styles, and learn more about Dance made for the Camera.  View more Dance Films on Video Dance TV

Participate in Dance Genre Buzz:

Help Dance Parade New York and Video Dance TV support the dance community. Share information on each dance style we feature, including dance classes, events, competitions, and other productions, such as film and video productions. Teachers, participants, and enthusiasts are welcome to share their network and experience with our audience to support dance education, online and on the dance floor!

By Dawn Paap, Editor for Dance Genre Buzz Series

Karen Kriegel in Taepyong mu - The Great Peace Dance

Special thanks to Karen Kriegel, Artistic Director World Dance Initiative for her contributions to this article.

Volunteer Spotlight : Elizabeth Zaklama

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“…from different parts of the world, with different life experiences, in one room united by the love of dance.”

Dance Parade, Inc. is a volunteer supported non-profit organization! It is the dedication, expertise and rhythm of these brave few that are solely responsible for the success of the event and all the background work that goes on all year long leading up to the parade and festival. Every month, we choose a different volunteer to spotlight.   We ask them a few questions to let you know who they are, where they’ve come from and where they see themselves in the future.

 

How did you first stumble upon Dance Parade?

I had some free time and looked at volunteer opportunities and Dance Parade struck me as a great institution to volunteer for.

What is your current role in Dance Parade?

Finance Committee

What is your favorite style of dance to watch? to participate in?

The Tango. I love to watch it, as it is not only passionate, but, beautiful, too. I would love to learn.

What is your dance background?

Spectator. I can only look in awe at talented dancers and their amazing contribution to a higher quality of life.

If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or not, living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a routine choreographed by yourself…who would it be?

Vincent Simone, two time Argentine Tango Champion, of course, in a dream as I do not even know the basic steps…

What does the Dance Parade slogan “United We…Dance Parade” mean to you?

Dance Parade is an organization that brings people together from all walks of life. If you attend a meeting, you will meet artists, dancers, teachers, computer programmers, finance people and engineers from different parts of the world, with different life experiences, in one room united by the love of dance.

What dance group are you most looking forward to seeing this year in the parade?

Surprise! I am looking forward to seeing the Argentine Tango Dancers of New York City, although all of the groups are fascinating.

If you could pick a Grand Marshal for this year’s parade….who would it be?

Tamara Greenfield of Dance Now NYC, for all of her diligent work in creating opportunities for choreographers.

Part of volunteering has a lot to do with strong leadership skills and major teamwork skills….if you were to pick a volunteer of the month…who would you choose?

DJ McDonald. He is extremely dedicated and unflinchingly reliable.

If you could pick another country to hold a Dance Parade and Festival….which would it be?

France. The French have a rich culture in the Arts and would appreciate the diversity and chance of expression that dance parade offers. The country would find joy in partaking in dance parade, but I think Paris would be a nice host city along the Siene.

Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be daunting and frustrating with limited personnel and limited funding….what is it that keeps you coming back for more and more?

Greg Miller’s drive and passion to promote dance and the dance community, his genuine concern for others and his vision bring joy to a multitude of people with this spectacular expression life and aesthetics.

Describe your most special memory from Dance Parades past?

This will be my first attendance, so I am thrilled.

What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer into joining the team at Dance Parade?

I am not sure a sales pitch is needed, as long as there is an opportunity to show someone the magnitude of the organization and its impact on NYC. I think once someone discovers Dance Parade, he/she will fall in love with the concept and jump on the bandwagon to volunteer. It gives dancers the opportunity to display their talents and spectators the opportunity to experience music, costumes, and beauty. Anyone hoping to volunteer would find Dance Parade a worthwhile cause. Dance Parade will sell itself.

Dance Parade’s “Community Kinect” Educational Outreach Program in Full Throttle!

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Dance Parade, Inc., in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, is pleased to announce the inaugural season of its Educational Residency Program entitled “Community Kinect” that focuses on movement and fitness. Three of Dance Parade’s performance groups will participate in five-week residencies at four community-based recreation centers in Manhattan and Queens. Experienced teaching artists from each group will work with youth aged 5-18, offering free lessons in their specific dance style and culture and preparing them to participate in the 2012 Dance Parade on May 19, 2012.

Dance Parade is the only Parks and Recreation partner to offer this type of unique program. Over 200 youth are expected to participate, adding an exciting new dimension to both the Parade and free afterschool programming options. Each of the youth groups will also be presented individually onstage at DanceFest in Tompkins Square Park following the parade. In addition, each site will host their own culminating performance for their local audiences.

Dancehall Aerobics at Roy Wilkins 177th St & Baisley Boulevard, Queens

Taught by: Adina & Damion Pink, Vanessa Carmin-Hagen, Tasue Debronna
Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 PM *teens 12-18 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23

Dhoonya Dance at Highbridge 2301 Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan

Taught by: Priya Pandya  Mondays 4-6 PM 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21

Dhoonya Dance at Thomas Jefferson 2180 First Avenue, Manhattan

Taught by: Rohan Sheth  Fridays 4-6 PM 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 5/25

Broadway Bodies at J. Hood Wright 351 Fort Washington Ave, Manhattan

Taught by: Mitchell Wayne Mondays 4-6 PM 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21

Dance Parade’s Community Kinect Program focuses on strengthening physical wellness, cooperation, and confidence-building. Each session with Dance Parade artists provides students with techniques to promote increased flexibility, coordination and discrete motor skills and more efficient circulation. They will be exposed to adult role models of working dance artists which will encourage them to think differently about physical fitness and exercise. The program encourages positive group dynamics, fosters cohesion and cooperation, and sensitivity and respect for personal vs. group space (to dance in the parade students will learn how to express themselves and work collaboratively with a group).  Youth participants will be embraced by thousands of cheering spectators as they dance down Broadway, strengthening awareness of and confidence in their own potential.

In addition to the residencies, Dance Parade presents  45-minute workshops in over 12 New York City public schools throughout the year. These programs are currently being funded by the generous support of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the Charles Evans Foundation and Dance Parade’s Board of Directors.

About the Groups:
Broadway Bodies is the “funnest” way to get a great workout and dance to custom choreography in the style of your Favorite Broadway Musical Numbers and Pop Video Hits to get you feeling like you are ON STAGE!

Dhoonya Dance/DhoonyaFIT is an easy-to-follow, cardio fitness program that’s perfectly choreographed to the latest Bollywood music and guaranteed to bolly-fit your bod!

Jamaican Dancehall Aerobics/Str8 Fram Yaad Entertainment focuses on Jamaican Culture, news, dance and fitness. They’ve been featured on the PIX 11 morning show and Fox Now CT demonstrating their new Dancehall Aerobics workout.