Norton Introduces 10th National Dance Day Resolution Ahead of Celebrations in D.C. and Nationwide, Saturday
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution to mark Saturday, September 21, 2019, as National Dance Day. Norton and American Dance Movement co-founder Nigel Lythgoe launched National Dance Day in 2010 with celebrations here on the National Mall and in Los Angeles, CA. The event, originally held in July, was moved to September to encourage schoolchildren to also express themselves through dance. The official National Dance Day routine, choregraphed by Matt Steffanina, was sent to 19 million schoolchildren who may learn and dance the steps together at National Dance Day events. To commemorate National Dance Day in the District of Columbia, the Kennedy Center and the American Dance Movement, in conjunction with Norton, will present a free all-day celebration featuring performances, dance lessons, film screenings and interactive dance lecture demonstrations on Saturday September 21, 2019, from 10:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St. NW). Norton, an avid dancer herself, will give opening remarks at 12:45 p.m. and will participate in the celebration.
"For the 10th year, we are bringing National Dance Day to our residents and spreading dancing for fun and exercise throughout our country," Norton said. "I encourage District residents to lead the way on Saturday as we see and learn dancing that is as infectious as it is spectacular."
Participation in National Dance Day has spread, with 45 registered, independent events across the country. The two events in D.C. are cohosted by the American Dance Movement and the Kennedy Center and the event in Costa Mesa, California is hosted by the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Norton said she especially appreciated the dedication of the Kennedy Center and the American Dance Movement, whose efforts have helped National Dance Day get sustained interest and support.
Norton's full resolution is below.
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for dance as a form of valuable exercise and of artistic expression, and for the designation of September 21, 2019, 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 American Dance Movement, has encouraged the creation of National Dance Day celebrations across the country, beginning with the first National Dance Day on the National Mall in 2010;
Whereas the American Dance Movement and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in conjunction with the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, will celebrate National Dance Day on September 21, 2019, 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 dance as an art form, as a form of exercise, and as a way of having fun;
Whereas States and cities across the country have been encouraged to celebrate National Dance Day with events;
Whereas National Dance Day has spread and will be celebrated this year with 45 registered, independent events across the country, and 2 events cohosted by the American
Dance Movement and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California;
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 full spectrum of dance, from classical, to popular, to line and partner dances;
Whereas dance 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 in the United States;
Whereas dance, in all its variations, is a popular form of physical exercise;
Whereas this year at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the following performers will entertain and encourage dance: Debbie Allen and Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Tiler Peck of the New York City Ballet, Dominic ‘‘D-trix'' Sandoval from ‘‘So You Think You Can Dance'', Jerron Herman, the DEA Youth Dance Program, Lisa Traiger, Jones-Haywood Dance School, The Washington Ballet, Rima Faber, Dance Exchange, Dance Place, Knock on Wood Tap Studio, Melvin Deal's African Heritage Dancers and Drummers, Heart Stu¨ck
Bernie, and the cast of ‘‘Fela! The Concert'' with outdoor classes and performances; Motion X Dance DC, MYB Music in Motion, Dance for Parkinson's Disease, Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble, Spilling Ink, LaBlast Fitness, Xuejuan Dance Ensemble, Candace Scarborough, MODELS INC., Lucy Bowen McCauley, Renee Robinson, Gina Safadi, Raediant Movement, and Carol and Herb Traxler with indoor classes;
Whereas in advance of National Dance Day, instructional videos are available on the American Dance Movement YouTube channel featuring dance routines for all skill levels to be performed by audiences on National Dance Day; and
Whereas National Dance Day has been celebrated annually for the past 9 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 American Dance Movement for their continuing efforts to spread awareness of National Dance Day.
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