The 13th Annual Dance Parade & Festival will take place on Saturday, May 18th, with over 10,000 dancers, DJs and live bands. The Parade will begin at 12:35pm on Broadway at 21st Street, with a ceremonial Native American circle dance. At 1:00pm, the Parade will dance its way down Broadway to Astor Place, to perform in front of the grandstand. Continuing on East on St. Mark’s Place, the festivities will end at Tompkins Square Park with free classes and performances on five stages from 3:00pm to 7:00pm
Dance Parade found its roots in a dance advocacy movement related to the 1926 New York City Cabaret License requirement that restricted dancing. In 2006, a New York State Supreme Court ruled against a group of House, Hip-Hop, Ballet and Swing dancers that social dancing was not considered expressive activity. The result ~ the inaugural Dance Parade of 2007 ~ organized to present dance as expressive in all its forms……
….including African, Middle Eastern, Latin American, Asian, social dance styles like Swing, Salsa, Tango, Hip Hop, Club Dancing, Ballet, Modern, Tap and Jazz ~ 80 unique styles of dance in all.
Each year, Dance Parade selects various individuals from all corners of the Dance Community to honor for their perseverance, impact, contribution and uniqueness they have represented and supplied throughout their formidable careers. These recognized individuals are chosen by Dance Parade for their contribution to a particular genre of dance. Catch one of our grand marshals on a float in the parade, on stage at DanceFest or at our official after party!
Grand Stand Seating is available with advance tickets. The Grandstand will be at Astor Place Plaza, a perfect viewing point, where all dancers will stop and perform in front of the Grandstand, announced by this years emcee, DJ BooshWheelz. And the Grandstand is in close proximity to Tompkins Square Park, for DanceFest after the parade.
Put on your dancing shoes because if your walking in the parade, and not dancing ~ you’ll get a Summons by the Dance Police! Since the first parade in 2007, the NYDP (New York Dance Police) have ticketed folks walking in the parade or audience members along the parade route for not having fun or not dancing!
Dance Parade, Inc. is a 501(c) non-profit charity, and has received grants from various foundations including the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Manhattan Community Arts Fund, The Creative Communities Fund from the New York State Council on the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Additionally, the parade engages multiple sponsors throughout the year.
If you aren’t in the Grandstand, this is a Free Event.