Dance Parade Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit presenter of 100+ unique styles of dance.
Our Mission:
Dance Parade promotes dance through the celebration of diversity by presenting as many forms of dance as possible. We believe that live performance has the potential to awaken a communal human spirit and helps build a more equitable and vibrant society.
Why We Dance:
We represent all dances, including yours. Our 100+ unique dance styles are the world’s largest display of cultural diversity. We keep historical dances alive, like Armenian Folk dancing and Bolivian Caporales, and showcase new dance forms like Litefeet, Waacking and Brazillian Zouk. We unite cultures and generations, introducing teenagers to tango, clubbers to square-dancing, and seniors to hip-hop.
Dance expresses identity – yours, mine, and ours together. Dancing rejuvenates our bodies and minds, motivates us, and we share joy. Dancers master new skills, personal and interpersonal, developing self-esteem and community pride. We put creativity in motion, with performances, classes, costumes, parade floats, and our Dance Police (NYDP) — who playfully ticket “bystanders” for not dancing.
We send certified teaching artists to schools and community centers. Participants discover they can communicate vital feelings and ideas by dancing, and gain insight into other cultures. We support emerging dance groups by reaching broad audiences and document their artistry, which they use for fundraising and promotion.
Our root is social justice. Our rhythm is unity. In the 1800’s, ballroom dancing was deemed devil’s work. In the 1920’s, New York City enacted the Cabaret Law to stem interracial dancing in Harlem Jazz Clubs. Nazi Germany banned “anarchistic” Swing Dancing in the 1930’s. Even today, although the Cabaret Law was repealed, racist era zoning laws still prohibit dancing in 80% of New York City. We stand for all dancers, including you.