2017 National Dance Day Celebrations

The 8th Anniversary of National Dance Day Celebrations is this Saturday, July 29, 2017! Are you planning to participate?

This year, there are planned National Dance Day events in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

The Dizzy Feet Foundation, co-founded by So You Think You Can Dance Executive Producer/Judge Nigel Lythgoe and Film Director (and former SYTYCD Judge) Adam Shankman, first established National Dance Day in 2010. The annual event seeks to encourage Americans of all ages to incorporate dance into their lives.

Dizzy Feet believes that participation in dance connects the mind and body, promotes health and wellbeing, connects us with others and enables us to find joy through dance and movement. Accessible to everyone at every ability level, National Dance Day provides an instructional video, made available online, for people to view, learn and share with others wherever they are.

For 2017, Dizzy Feet partnered with YouTube Red to create the Accessible Routine. Featuring Jade Chynoweth and Carlito Olivero from the new YouTube Red original series Step Up: High Water, this is a fun and simple routine. Along with series choreographer Jamaica Craft, the cast breaks down the choreography to District 78’s “Shake, Wiggle, Move.” Watch this instructional video here.

Also for 2017, Dizzy Feet asked dancer Chelsie Hill, who performs from her wheelchair, to teach an Adaptive Routine. This takes viewers through examples of how she makes the dance her own, and encourages others to find what works for them. Watch this instructional video here.

Whichever version of the routine participants choose to dance, they’re invited to submit a video for the 2017 competition. The two entrants with the most votes will win the opportunity to meet Jade Chynoweth in L.A. for a private dance class.

In addition to providing and promoting these instructional videos, National Dance Day and Dizzy Feet also focus heavily on the in-person celebratory events by offering nationwide event registration on the online perform. This supports individuals and communities as they uniquely celebrate National Dance Day.

Dizzy Feet also co-hosts big events in two key cities, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. These provide free dance classes and performances for all ages and skills levels, with information from a range of community dance organizations.

Co-presented by The Music Center, the 2017 Los Angeles event serves as the West Coast’s flagship free celebration of National Dance Day for the sixth year. The event takes place in Grand Park in downtown L.A. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dance lovers will experience some of Los Angeles’ best dance companies, and enjoy music and dancing in the park fountain. Visit www.musiccenter.org/ndd for more detailed information.

On the other coast, in Washington, D.C., the 2017 National Dance Day celebration begins at 2 p.m. and is hosted by The Kennedy Center. It will feature special guest dancers, interactive dance lessons, and performances in a wide variety of dance styles, as well as the official routine led by a well-known dance star. At 7:30 p.m., Dancing Under the Stars will begin with a beginner-level swing dance lesson by Gottaswing, followed by two hours of dancing with The Tom Cunningham Orchestra. Head to www.kennedy-center.org for further information.

Visit www.dizzyfeetfoundation.org for all the information on 2017 National Dance Day Celebrations.