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Norton Introduces National Dance Day Resolution Ahead of D.C. and Nationwide Celebrations, Saturday

July 26, 2017

Click Here for More Details on D.C.'s National Dance Day Celebration

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced Norton has introduced a resolution marking Saturday, July 29, 2017, as National Dance Day, celebrated annually on the last Saturday of July. To commemorate National Dance Day in the District of Columbia, the Kennedy Center and the Dizzy Feet Foundation, in conjunction with Norton, will present a free, all-day celebration featuring dance performances, interactive routines, and dance lessons on Saturday, July 29, 2017, from 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., at the Kennedy Center (Outside on the North Plaza). Norton launched National Dance Day in 2010 in partnership with "So You Think You Can Dance" co-creator Nigel Lythgoe with celebrations on the National Mall and in Los Angeles, CA. 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, and Virginia. Norton first introduced the resolution to mark National Dance Day in 2010.

"National Dance Day allows residents from all walks of life to appreciate and celebrate dance not only as a chance to have fun and express themselves, but also as a positive way to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle," Norton said. "I am grateful to the dedication and hard work of our National Dance Day sponsors, the Kennedy Center and the Dizzy Feet Foundation, who each year grow support and attendance for celebrations here and across the country. I look forward to dancing with residents this Saturday."

The full text of the resolution is below.

RESOLUTION

Expressing support for dancing as a form of valuable exercise and of artistic expression, and for the designation of July 29, 2017, as National Dance Day.

Whereas Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer and celebrity judge for the dance-themed television show "So You Think You Can Dance," in association with the Dizzy Feet Foundation, has encouraged the creation of National Dance Day celebrations in nations around the world, beginning with the first National Dance Day on the National Mall in 2010;

Whereas the Dizzy Feet Foundation and the Kennedy Center, in conjunction with the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, will celebrate National Dance Day on July 29, 2017, in Washington, DC, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts;

Whereas National Dance Day has captured the imagination of people throughout the Nation and around the world and has helped popularize dancing as an art form, a form of exercise, and as a way of having fun;

Whereas we have encouraged the celebration of National Dance Day in Congressional districts around the country with events;

Whereas National Dance Day has spread and will be celebrated this year with events in states across the country, to include: 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, and Virginia.

Whereas National Dance Day encourages many forms of dance expression, representing the Nation's rich artistic, regional, ethnic, and racial diversity;

Whereas National Dance Day features the spectrum of dance, from classical to popular to line and partner dances;

Whereas dancing helps improve heart health, burn calories, strengthen muscles, and improve flexibility for people of all ages;

Whereas health officials have repeatedly documented an overweight and obesity epidemic among United States citizens of all backgrounds and ages;

Whereas dancing, in all its variations, is a popular form of physical exercise;

Whereas this year at the Kennedy Center, the following performers will entertain and encourage dancing: the Navy Ceremonial Band & Joint Color Guard, Eastern High School Marching Band with the Lady Gems, Kazaxe, DEA Youth Dance Program, Howard University Step Team, Dizzy Feet and Tony Bellissimo, Fairfax Chinese Dance Troupe, Open Circle Theatre, Dance Institute of Washington, Bob Boross, Culture Shock, Gottaswing, Bowen McCauley, Top Naach, and Abada Capoeira with Batala Washington;

Whereas in advance of National Dance Day, instructional videos are available on the Dizzy Feet Foundation YouTube channel featuring dance routines for all skill levels to be performed by audiences on National Dance Day;

And

Whereas the last Saturday in July continues to be the day to celebrate National Dance Day annually as it has been for the past seven years: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) supports the designation of National Dance Day to celebrate and encourage a national commitment to dance and dance education;

(2) acknowledges that dance is making an important contribution to health by encouraging physical fitness and reducing obesity;

(3) commends Nigel Lythgoe for his leadership in promoting dance and National Dance Day; and

(4) Thanks the Dizzy Feet Foundation for their continuing efforts to spread awareness of National Dance Day.