PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Rebecca Myles

rebecca@danceparade.org, 917-326-0802

JOIN THE FESTIVE FUN OF 12^TH ANNUAL DANCE PARADE AND DANCEFEST ON SATURDAY, MAY 19 WHEN 10,000 DANCERS PARADE IN SNEAKERS, CLOGS, TAP SHOES AND BALLET SLIPPERS BEATING THEIR RHYTHMIC WAY DOWN BROADWAY

New York, New York: Have a blast at the 12th Annual Dance Parade, Saturday May 19, a joyous celebration of dance with approximately 10,000 paraders – students and professionals, young and old, with color, costumes, music, and 80 different styles of dance.

“New York rises on the foundation of its diversity and we are proud of our incredible performing arts landscape that incorporates the customs of people from the world,” wrote New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, in a proclamation declaring Saturday “New York Dance Parade Day.”

“Today, our city’s remarkable multiculturalism will be on full display …which brings together professional artists and dance enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds for a vibrant celebration of the universal art form.”

A grandstand at Astor Place gives great viewing for all or part of the Parade, which starts at 1:00pm on Broadway & 21st Street, dances down Broadway, through Union Square and University Place, across 8th Street/Saint Marks, and settles at approximately 3:00pm in Tompkins Square Park, where four stages are set up for free performances by many of the companies, as well as social dancing and free lessons in various styles of dance.

Leading out the parade Tina Thompson, channeling Josephine Baker, and her Skin Dance Company, followed by Fusha Dance Company (African Dance). Among this year’s highlights are American Tap Dance Foundation, Paul Taylor Teen Ensemble, Arthur Murray Dance Studios (Ballroom) Eye Catching Circus (Taiwanese Acrobatic), Rhythm Locura (same sex Salsa/Latin) FogoAzul – Brazilian Drum and Dance, a dozen Chinese Dance groups, dancers doing belly dancing, jazz, hip hop, tango, leg-kicking cheerleaders and majorette groups among them Brooklyn Gatorettes and the Golden Dancerettes, and folk dancing from Niall OLeary School of Dance (Irish), Los Andulleros (Dominican Santiago) Shot of Scotch, (Scottish) Kaisokah Moko Jumbies of Dance (Caribbean carnival) and Slavic Folk Dance, Indian Bhangra, and hypnotic roller bladers Disco Energy in the Middle.

It’s a joyous celebration of dance in all its forms by dancers of all styles and ages who love dance!   Audiences, too, find their dancing feet and move to the rhythms.  In fact, the Dance Parade police will be on hand again to give out summonses to folks for ‘non-moving violations.”

This year’s Grand Marshals are Camille A. Brown, one of today’s most sought-after dancer/choreographers; recipient of a Bessie award, a four-time Princess Grace Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and more; Mickela Mallozzi, a four-time Emmy winner for her delightful  public TV show “Bare Feet” in which she celebrates the diversity of dance around the world; DJ Doc Martin, who has spun records for appreciative admirers for over three decades and host of his popular show on WBLS 107.5 FM; City Council Member Rafael Espinal, who recently made dance history by passing legislation to repeal the antiquated 1926 cabaret law, which required a license to dance.