Marcy Clark: 212-729-9619 Kahshanna Evans: 646-500-5076

marcy@marcyclarkpr.com + publicity@danceparade.org

Audrey Ross, 917-494-8390

DANCE PARADE NEW YORK ORGANIZERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS and DANCE GROUPS HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE at STEPS of CITY HALL

Wednesday May 15, 2024 at 12 Noon (Rain or Shine)

WHO: New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Greg Miller, Executive Director of Dance Parade 

New York Grand Marshals - Brenda Bufalino, Co-Founder of American Tap Dance Foundation, Martha Zarate-Alvarez, Choreographer and Founder of Mazarte Mexican Dance Company, Norman Siegel, 25 year veteran of the ACLU
Joined by hosting New York City Council Member Carlina Rivera and New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. 

WHAT: Press Conference for Dance Parade New York 

WHERE: City Hall Park, New York 

WHEN: Wednesday May 15, 2024, 12 Noon

WHY: To inform the press, public and officials about features of New York City’s largest dance event - the 18th Annual Dance Parade and Festival, scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2024 as well as the advocacy behind the City of Yes’ Zoning Proposal to legalize dance in New York City

“New York City, my message to you is clear: Let’s dance!” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “For too long, our outdated and out-of-step zoning laws have prevented New Yorkers from going footloose and dancing in our vibrant nightlife spots. It takes two to tango, and that’s why we are calling on the New York City Council to say ‘yes’ — ‘yes’ to ‘City of Yes for Economic Opportunity,’ ‘yes’ to supporting our nightlife institutions, and ‘yes’ to dancing.”

The press conference will feature esteemed speakers including New York Mayor Eric Adams, alongside performances from dancers and dance groups - Get Empowered Afro-Latin Tap team, Chinese dancers from Glory City and Sunshine Dance Company, Yvonne Guiterrez Flamenco, Dominican Dancers, followed by Mazarte Dance Company (traditional and contemporary Mexican) and Fusha Dance Company (African Congolese).

The dancing will be followed by remarks from hosting City Council member Carlina Rivera, and NYC DCLA Commissioner Laurie Cumbo who will also present Dance Parade’s Greg Miller with the Mayoral Proclamation declaring May 18th, 2024, Dance Parade Day in the City of New York. The Grand Marshals will be among those offering comments.

“I am thrilled to support the Dance Parade for the 18th year of New York City’s biggest dance event! Dance Parade is part of a larger ecosystem of performance organizations that underpin the vibrancy and allure of New York City through meaningful advocacy and programming. I look forward to continued collaboration to serve New Yorkers and visitors as they seek joy and inspiration through dance,” Council Member Carlina Rivera, Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries.

“We believe live dance performance can awaken a communal human spirit that helps build a more equitable and vibrant society. This year we’re excited that Dance Parade and our continuing advocacy with LegalizeDance.org will further our mission of recognizing dance as a first amendment right.” Greg Miller, Executive Director of Dance Parade New York.

At this year’s parade and festival, we will celebrate our 18th year under the theme “Dance Free NYC” Grand Marshals Brenda Bufalino, Martha Zarate-Alvarez, Lil Buck and Norman Siegel will lead out approximately 10,000 dancers from 130+ dance organizations who will present over 100 unique styles of dance from 17th Street and 6th Ave to our Grand Stand in Astor Place before reaching DanceFest in Tompkins Square Park. There the dancing and fun continues from 3 to 7 pm as well at selected sites throughout the park to bring the entire landscape to dancing life. 

Dance leaders from various styles will contribute remarks including:

• 2024 Grand Marshal Brenda Bufalino, Co-Founder of American Tap Dance Foundation

• 2024 Grand Marshal Martha Zarate-Alvarez, Artistic Director of Mazarte Dance Company

• Rebecca Lynn, from Vinyl Nights along with NYC Votes’ who has sponsored her float will speak about the need for a strong democracy.

• Funmilayo Chesney, Artistic Director of Fusha Dance Company

• Liquid Todd from SiriusXM Radio

• Jared Harbour, Producer of a film. No Dancing Allowed

• Ramona Torres, Artistic Director from Dominican Dance Group

• Helen Ouyang, Artistic Director, from Glory City Chinese float

• Coco Li, Artistic Director from Sunshine Dance NYC

Dance Parade New York’s official After Party will be at RadioNublu at 62 Avenue C just blocks away from DanceFest with DJs KS360, Misbehaviour and Liquid Todd.

Dance Parade came together in reaction to a 2006 NY State Supreme Court ruling that upheld the 1926 NYC Cabaret Law by denying social dancing recognition as an expressive activity protected by the first amendment. The organization birthed its mission: To promote expressive dance through the celebration of diversity and cultural equity beginning with the first Parade in 2007. 

In 2017, our advocacy and the support of NYC Dept of Cultural Affairs’ Create NYC Cultural Plan led to the successful repeal of the Cabaret Law’s administrative code which suppressed dance and culture for 91 years. 

This year’s Parade supports the Department of City Planning's and City Council’s work in revising outdated prohibition-era zoning ordinances that still affect dance in many zones  of the city. (see legalizedance.org) 

For Press Releases, photos and other media resources, visit: https://danceparade.org/media-kit-releases/

Connect Socially: 

Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter and Instagram - @danceparadenyc

Youtube - @danceparade
#danceparadenyc #beyondthezone

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