STEPS! Dance Parade New York's Official E-Newsletter
       February 22, 2016 Edition
Inside this Issue:
 
 
Dance Quote:
 “You look ridiculous if you dance. You look ridiculous if you don't dance. So you might as well dance.”
Gertrude Stein,
1874-1946
 
 

Share the Love of Dance!
 
 

Team
Non Profit Board of Directors:
Erik Bryan Slavin (Chair)
Nicola Creary
Valerie Feit
Jerry Goldman
Mahayana Landowne
David Leventhal
Greg Miller
Philip Ribolow
 
Steering Commitee:
Greg Miller, Executive Director
Jenny Boissiere, Parade Production
Celia Kutcher, Parade Production
Carlye Eckert, Education
Valerie Feit, Education
John Dalton, Sponsorship
Michelle DeBlasi, Marketing
Martha Ma, Marketing
Jamila Holman, Festival Production
DJ McDonald, Curatorial
Mark Schmidt, Curatorial
Hal Lamster, Web
Donnie D'Amato, Web
Howard Gibbs-Hobgood, Volunteer Coordination
Rebecca Myles, Media
Bianca Rodriguez, Finance Director
Natalya Grigoriev, Finance
Brian Austin, Creative
Jason Parrish, Creative
Chauncey Dandridge, Social Media
 
Honorary Committee:
(Power Team & Grand Marshals)
Garth Fagan
Kwikstep
Rokafella
Carmen de Lavallade
Robert Battle
Mary Verdi-Fletcher
Rekha Malhotra
Savion Glover
Jawolle Willa Jo Zollar
Hex Hector
Jacqulyn Buglisi
Baba Chuck Davis
Louie Vega
Ashley Tuttle
Elisa Monte
Bill Shannon
Trevor Hochman
Peter Zehren
Samir Bitar
Mel Alvarez
Jonathan Peters
Charles Reinhart
“Billy Elliot” (Joseph Harrington)
Kat Wildish
Amy Marshall
Jellybean Benitez
Elizabeth Zimmer
Ellenore Scott
Don Campbell "Campbellock"
Morocco (Carolina Varga Dinicu)
Luis Salgado
Luigi
Kool Herc
Danny Tenaglia
Djoniba Mouflet

Advisory Board:
Jeanne Fleming
David Katz
Teddie Kern
Anil Kumar
Joseph McElroy
Fred Shequine
Tasha Blank
 
Sponsorship Team:
Greg Miller
John Dalton
Nikki Creary
Phil Ribolow
 
Parade Production:
Jenny Bossiere (Co Lead)
Celia Kutcher (Co Lead)
Cristin Lafata
Grace Marinao
Jenn Converse
Erik Bryan Slavin
Gabriel Kutik
John Dalton
Dan Rosenstark
Daniel Kahn
Disco Mike Park
Bobby Speakerwire
Wandalynn Miftahi
Cheryl Gant
Phil Ribolow
Mekeshia Brown
Marjorie Liebman
Wandalynn Miftahi
Peter Vassilatos
Ollie Chase
Tim Golding
Alia Kubicek
Diane Dejesus
Claudia Lazo
Freddy Cosmo
J-Royce Jata
Alia Kubicek
Michael Fry
Rhina Valentin
Sharon Colchamino
Tatianna Bisono
Jamee Schleifer
Beatriz Cardo
Dayana Guerrero
Angelica
Doris Martinez
Michael Witt
Miriam Ross
 
Festival Production:
Jamila Holman (Chair)
DJ McDonald (Curatorial Chair)
Mark Schmidt (Curatorial Vice-Chair)
DJ Sweat
Shiela Jamison
Ben Vazquez
Ameca Holman
Bianca Rodriquez
Mango
Norman
Donnie D'Amato (Emcee, Main)
Shireen Dickson (Emcee, Family)
 
Educational Outreach
Carlye Eckert (Chair)
Valerie Feit
Caryn Cooper
Shireen Dickson
Leslie Pieters
Jamee Schliefer

Finance:
Bianca Rodriguez (Chair)
Natalya Grigoriev
Elizabeth Zaklama

Legal:
Victoria Behr
Carmen Casado
Jerry Goldman
David Leventhal
Paul Llewellyn
Kaye Scholer LLP

Marketing:
Greg Miller
Brian Austin
Jason Parrish
Hal Lamster
Martha Ma
Amanda Alston
Luis Vargas
Lawrence Capici
 
Media & Promotions Team:
Rebecca Myles
Audrey Ross
Lawrence Capici
Chauncey Danridge
Shiela Jamison
 
Special thanks:
·New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio
·NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo
·Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer
·City Council Member Rosie Mendez
·NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl, Deputy Commissioner Eddie Torres, Assistant Commissioner Kathleen Hughes and Program Officer Stephanie LaFroscia
·NYC & Co Foundation
·NYPD Lt Christopher Cheng and Sgt Patrick McGuire
·NYC Department for the Aging
·New York State Council on the Arts
·Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
·NYC Parks & Recreation Director Claudia Pepe, District Supervisor Terese Flores, Mark Schultz and Deputy Director Venus Melo
·NYC Dept of Sanitation Superintendent Thomas Lincoln
·NYC Dept of Transportation Event Coordinator Ivory Henderson-Robb and G.I.S. / Events Coordinator Shuan Bruney
 
Dance Parade
graciously acknowledges
our 2017 Sponsors and Partners:

 
   
 
 

 
 
 
 
Interested to sponsor
2017? Contact greg"at"danceparade.org
for more information!
Dear Dance Parade family,

We're thrilled about Sunday's LIFT OFF event--the launch of our "DANCE FOR PEACE" campaign at the exotic Taj Lounge and hope you'll join us! 
 
It'll be a great night with DJ Ali Coleman's feel good soulful music along with six performance samplings from the Dance Parade-- folkloric to hip-hop, curated to light you up about Dance Parade's 11th Season!

Grab a LIFT OFF ticket for just five bucks here--all proceeds go to the artists so grab a few!

 
Greg Miller
Executive Director
Dance Parade, Inc.


 
 
REGISTRATION now Open!
Join thousands of dancers as we explode down Broadway in the heart of Manhattan, sashay through Union Square and leap across Saint Marks Place. Once again our goal is to exceed 80 unique styles of dance and to be the world's largest display of cultural diversity. The theme "Dance for Peace" will set a positive and joyous tone as we unify through a common passion for dance.
 
Never seen before dance genres and choreography that highlight the human experience -- everything from Ballet to Breakdance, Two-step to Dub-Step and African to Zydeco--all in dazzling outfits, with live bands, djs and decorated floats.
 
Do you belong to a Modern dance company, Contra group, Salsa group, Ballet School or are an EDM DJ?  Registering as a parade group is just $50 to move and groove before 75,000 live audience members and to be eligible for our Community Engagement programs in which we hire performaning groups and teaching artists througout the year. Scholarships are available to waive the fee and there's no fee to apply to participate at DanceFest.
 
Are you joining us from out of town? Save up to 55% on rooms via Dance Parade's exclusive offer on Hotel Engine!
  
 

  "Dance For Peace"
 
Xochipilli Mexican Dance
Photo Credit: Peter Cai
 
 

Texas Aggie Wranglers
Photo Credit Anna Massimino
 
Click here to book discounted rooms!
 

 Join our 10,000 LIKE Campaign on

 
 
Help boost Dance Parade into the Stratashere with a little Facebook love!
 
We are a few hundred likes shy of our 10,000 goal.
 
Help us "Invite friends to LIKE our Page" by clicking the image above and we'll celebrate at LIFT OFF this Sunday!
 

Our Charitable work to ENGAGE COMMUNITY
2017 Dance Programs:
We employ Teaching Artists at our programs in all five boroughs of New York City. Each program ends with participation in the May 20th 2017 Parade and Festival!
 
Ageless Action: 
Serving older Americans through the joy and movement of dance.  

Community Kinect:
Using dance to instill a lifelong enthusiasm for physical fitness.
 
Cultural Residencies: Multi-week residencies focusing on culturally specific dance forms.
 
 

 
If your school, community or senior center is interested in one of our popular education programs for the Winter or Spring, contact carlye@danceparade.org or click here for our Community Engagement brochure.
 
 
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Caryn Cooper Makes Dance Happen!
 
Caryn, thanks for taking time to speak to us about your expereince and background!
 
How did you first find out about Dance Parade?
I first heard about Dance Parade a few years ago, but didn’t know much about it. It wasn’t until the winter of 2016 that I was covering the LIFT OFF Party for Broadway World Dance. I really enjoyed the vibe, the
 
diversity of the performances/dancers, and wanted to learn more. It was then, I was curious and wanted to attend the parade. Am excited to return to LIFT OFF this Sunday after working the last few months as a volunteer!

What is your current role in Dance Parade, Inc?
I currently have a duel-role: I help out with the Community Engagement (education) programs and assist with Government Outreach, connecting the elected officials who can help this amazing non-profit organization.
 
What is your favorite style of dance to watch? to participate in? 
I don’t know if I can pick a favorite style to watch, but my favorite dance to participate in has always been tap!
 
What is your dance background or interest in dance?
I started dancing at a young age. Growing up, I attended a ballet school where I studied Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) for eight years. But I also studied other forms such as tap, jazz, hip hop, and West African.
 
 

Join our PRODUCTION PLANNING Team!
Not only are we planning for thousands to dance down Broadway, we're also gearing up for a 5 stage festival and are involved in productions and teaching programs throughout New York City. We organize it all with committees that are steered by twice monthly meetings. To join the fun, fill out the brief volunteer form here!
 
 
 
GENRE BUZZ: Litefeet
 
 In each issue of steps we feature a new genre that will be featured in Dance Parade. This time, it's Litefeet!
Litefeet is a hip hop freestyle genre from Harlem New York City that was created out of several party dances like the “Harlem Shake”,  “Chicken Noodle Soup, the Tone Whop, or Toe Wop and the Aunt Jackie. Moves often include; footwork, popping, shuffling, hat tricks, and shoe tricks.
 
Dancers often perform as "Showtime" on Subways in New York City and in Union Square. The dance has been embraced as a symbol of the urban musical social scene of Harlem.
 
Litefeet is also the name of the music played along with the dance, often fast-paced 100-BPM rap beats and drum kits. HANN, M-Lyve, Kid the Wiz, Fliqht, BSN, Faro, AG the Voice of Harlem, DJ Webstar, and Young B are some well-known Litefeet music producers.
 
(Article source: Wikiepdia and by Chrybaby Cozie)
 

SUPPORT our Mission and Why We Dance
  Our Mission is to promote dance as an expressive and unifying art form by showcasing all forms of dance, educating the general public about the opportunities to experience dance, and celebrating diversity of dance in New York City by sponsoring a yearly city-wide dance parade and dance festival.

Why we dance:

We dance.
 
We dance for cultural equity.  
 
We represent all dances, including yours. Our 80+ 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.
 
We dance for emotional and physical health. 
 
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 dance to educate and empower. 
 
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.
 
We dance for freedom and peace.
 
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 recently, in 2006, a New York State Supreme Court ruled that, unlike other forms of art, social dance was not a constitutionally protected form of expression. We stand for all dancers, including you.

We dance.
 
Dance Parade really needs your support and any help you can give us is appreciated. At Dance Parade, we are grateful for every tax deductible donation no matter how small.  Here’s how we'll honor you for 2017: 
 
Dance Spirit:  $50  
  · Your donation will be used where it is needed most. 
  · Get mailed a personal thank you letter from our Director that includes a receipt letter for a 100% tax deductible donation
  · Join in Dance Parade and have a blast knowing you helped make the World’s largest display of diverse cultures possible!
 
Mover & Shaker: $100  
  · All of the above and . . . 
  · Get a commemorative Dance For Peace refridgerator magnet
  · Join us as our guest at the February 26th Season Launch Party at the Taj
  · Sponsor a Dance Organization of your choice in the 11th Annual Dance Parade and Festival
  · Recognition on our website as a Mover & Shaker
 
Gifted Dancer: $150  
  · All of the above and . . .
  · Get a commemorative Dance For Peace Tote bag
  · Get a signed photograph with the group you sponsor in the Parade
  · Recognition on our website as a Gifted Dancer
 
Dance Angel:  $250 or more
  · All of the above and . . .
  · Complimentary admission to the After Party
  · ​Cos​ponsor a Diversity Workshop in a New York City public school
  · Get acknowledged by a personal Tweet and post to our Facebook Page
  · Recognition on our website as a Dance Angel
  · View the parade as our guest in the Grandstand in Astor Plaza
 
How to donate:
  · Make check payable to “Dance Parade” and mail to 789 Westminster Road, 1st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11230
  · Click on the Donate button from danceparade.org and pay by credit card (PayPal account not needed)
 
Photo Credit: Don Lang

Dance Parade New York is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization                  www.DanceParade.Org