dance parade update!

visit the official website here and register for the parade today or just click on the poster below!

Saturday May 16, 2009

“...I think for the time being we need more festivals and picnics." -His Holiness The 14th Dali Lama

this Month! Genre Buzz Hip Hop Party - April 29th An International Dance Day Celebration Dance Festival After the parade join thousands in Tompkins Square Park 'Experience Dance' Tents Promote and learn about dance 2009 Grand Marshalls Louis Selgado, Morocco, Danny Krivit, and Don Campbell Float deadline (April 16) Celebrate with a float! STEPS! (backissues) Read back issues of STEPS! VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH Tricia Olson

Hip Hop Last month we wrote about Zydeco in this issue of Genre Buzz we dig deep into the roots of Hip Hop: Hip Hop has a dynamic history and is an art form that includes deejaying (cuttin’ & scratchin’), emceeing/rappin’, dancing and street art (aka graffiti). The first Dance Parade featured DJ Kool Herc, who some refer to as the 'Founder of Hip-Hop.' The history of hip hop dance started with breakdancing, which has its roots as a Jamaican-influenced form, born in the South Bronx (New York City). Breaking complimented the music and was a form of dance that was used by street gangs to settle differences without using violence; a positive form of expression for inner-city youths. From breakdancing to the moonwalk, from krumping to Bboy to plain ‘ol head nodding everyone has their own way of expressing love for this dynamic and popular form of dance dance. Hip Hop is now global. Owned by the world, hip hop dance continues to evolve on five continents. Influenced by a global medly of Arab, Christian, French, Latino/a, or Southern flavors hip hop thrives because of its inherent contemporary nature. Look for hip hop dancers towards the rear of this year's parade, as groups dance down the streets in the order in which each genre was birthed. There are seven Hip-Hop groups signed up so far: The Riis Settlement, Team Dynasty, YWCA of the City of New York, World Class Dancers, DJ Soul Heaven, DJ Dennis Williams, PDM Performing Arts Corp, and Flo Dance Team . Sourced from DaveyD edited by Samir Bitar

PARTY FUNRAISER! A Taste of Dance Parade Dance Parade is throwing a benefit funraiser to celebrate International Dance Day. Join us for a unique, three-hour event that kicks off at 7p with a pre-event cocktail party. Savor the skills and diversity of 13 performance troupes, including African Fusion, Belly Dance, Bulgarian Folk, Flagging, Korean Contemporary, Indian Fusion, Modern, Tango, and much much more. Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 Time: 7p - 10p Venue:DanceSport 22 W. 34th Street, 4th floor, (directions) $25 Friend $35 Partner $50 Choreographer $100 Soloist $150 Chair Donate via Visa, Mastercard, and AMEX. Silent Auction Raise your profile with an item in the silent auction. Throughout the night guests will bid on auctioned packages that will raise necessary funds for this year's post-parade Festival. Auction items include Joyce Theatre tickets, $400 gift baskets, dance lessons, historic Dance Parade memorabilia, and more. Dance Parade is looking for five premiere items to include in the silent auction. Contact Mel for details.

WE'RE BACK: DANCE PARADE FESTIVAL!! Join thousands for a dance party in Tompkins Square Park from 3-7p (post-Parade event) The dance festival is a free, family fun event. If you'd like to perform in the festival you must submit your request by April 20th (*note you must be part of the parade to perform in the festival). Groups may submit the following requests: site specific dance performances (repeatable), dance Lessons (for general public) 30min, or Main Stage performances. Please send your contact info and a brief description (include a web-link to a past performance), if no link available please send video to: Mariana Bekerman 89-35 155th Ave Suite 4L, Howard Beach, NY 11414