So You Think You Can Dance executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe would like to declare July 31, NATIONAL DANCE DAY.
WHAT: NATIONAL DANCE DAY, a grassroots initiative that encourages the nation, young and old, to move! Individuals, families, organizations and communities from across the nation come together through their creative expression in dance. Any style of dance is welcome and imagination is recommended in order to get the most out of this celebratory day.
WHEN: Saturday, July 31
WHY: To continue to generate national awareness for dance, a medium of expression and storytelling which, through shows like So You Think You Can Dance, has proven its value in bringing individuals from all walks of life together through a positive platform that has no boundaries and cultivates imagination and passion. Most importantly, the day is intended to promote health and wellness nationwide.
Nigel has been tweeting up a storm about National Dance Day, a.k.a. D-Day. He said the goal is to “prove that the ‘Power of Dance’ can MOVE an entire Country!” So get up off the couch and put on your dancing shoes on July 31st. Share your D-Day ideas in the SYTYCD forums and stay tuned to this site for more information to come.
Comments
257 comments on “Get Excited for National Dance Day“
Mima Dance - wrote:
National Dance Day Saturday 30 Jul at Sand Dunes Dance Hall, El Paso, Texas. We would like to see all El Paso sing and dance!
7/26/2011 5:07 PM UTC
Debra Opland McLane - wrote:
July 20, 2011
Dear Mr. Nigel Lythgoe and All Those with So You Think You Can Dance:
This letter is to inform you that we will be dancing with you in the Black Hills, SD, on National Dance Day, July 30, 2011! We applaud your efforts to counteract obesity; to encourage physical fitness, health; to build self-esteem through the art forms of music and dance—two universal languages humanity can share as we learn to communicate peacefully.
Personally, as a forever fan of So You Think You Can Dance; I love to dance, love to watch stories expressed through music and movement! Professionally, I am an educator, specializing in the fields of peace education, social emotional learning, and Indigenous studies. After teaching three years on Lakota Reservations, I am now Educational Program Consultant with ChildFund International. Our Northern Plains Area Office, Rapid City, SD, benefits 3,000 children living in poverty in four SD communities: Lakota Homes in Rapid City and reservations that share borders with the three poorest counties in the U.S.: Pine Ridge in Shannon, Rosebud in Todd, and Cheyenne River in Ziebach.
According to the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), thirty-seven percent of the adult American Indian population in SD was obese in 2009, above the national average. Accounting for differences in obesity risk, socioeconomic status plays a key role. Placed on reservations, these people were robbed of their subsistence and nomadic lifestyle; physical fitness of the hunt and a healthy diet based upon buffalo. Our Area Strategic Plan documents the long-term effects such poverty and oppression has within deprived, excluded, and vulnerable populations–especially among children exposed to violence, life-threatening events, traumatic losses—a pervasive atmosphere of pain, anger, and shame—all of which lead to low self-esteem and an increase of high risk behavior. A vicious cycle often repeated for generations. At ChildFund we encourage participation in program activities which promote cultural identity, increase resiliency skills, develop support networks, and communities to protect the children. Thus, we empower young people, hoping that each can gain a sense of self worth–of belonging to their community and the world.
In this spirit we join National Dance Day at the grassroots level. Our event, called Dancing Round the Circle of Life, takes place Saturday, July 30, 2011, from 1 to 5 pm, at the Youth Development Program Center in Rapid City; to raise funds for Center renovation, building a safe place designed by the children, for the children—benefiting self and community. Another ChildFund affiliate–Oyate Networking Program, Rosebud Reservation, St. Francis, SD–plans a Summer Prom the evening of July 29, 2011; a formal affair with youth designing attire/hairstyles, organizing feast and dance. We hope to organize such dance events on a biweekly/monthly basis.
Although our celebration follows Lakota PowWow tradition, we intend to feature multicultural dance presentations, including Lakota dancers, belly dancing, East Indian, Celtic, and more. Like PowWows, our intent is to bring people together for a common purpose; a place to celebrate life, to feast and dance, to get well, to feel good about self and others—a place of good spirits.
In Lakota Wopila means a special Thank You. Mitakuye Oyasin translates as We Are All Related. My Lakota friends honor me by saying I have an Indian Heart. I like to think I have a Human Heart. We all do. Together, we keep dancing in our hearts—all day, every day!!
Wishing You Peace,
7/28/2011 7:07 AM UTC
Joy - wrote:
So excited about National Dance Day in Cincinnati, Ohio. I have 3 dance classes I’m planning to attend because the Cincinnati Ballet is offering FREE classes that day in support. Then planning to dance that night at the concert on Fountain Square. Can’t wait!
7/28/2011 10:10 AM UTC
Diana - wrote:
How confusing – two of web sites say National Dance
Day is July 31st – including this one – which is Sunday – today (Saturday) is July 30th
7/30/2011 7:57 AM UTC
The Cool Ones - wrote:
I know I can’t see…. and usually miss the obvious….
But I heard one could see clips submitted in honor of this NDD… but where………….?
8/3/2011 12:51 PM UTC
Isabel - wrote:
I was wediornng if anyone was planning an event in western Washington. I live near Olympia and would love to know.
2/9/2012 1:33 PM UTC
Kamall - wrote:
are thay only going to give us a week?is any one do any thing on east side cblomuus (eastland mall?) it so
2/10/2012 11:30 PM UTC
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