Norton Introduces 11th Annual National Dance Day Resolution Ahead of Virtual Celebration, Saturday

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a resolution marking Saturday, September 19, 2020, as National Dance Day. In 2010, Norton partnered with "So You Think You Can Dance" co-creator Nigel Lythgoe to launch the first National Dance Day with inaugural celebrations on the National Mall and in Los Angeles.

The event, originally held in July, was moved to September to encourage schools and students to participate in expressing themselves through dance. Due to the coronavirus, this year, the American Dance Movement has created a virtual program for all to enjoy. On Saturday, September 19^th, dance classes will be broadcasted on the Kennedy Center's Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KennedyCenter/) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/TheKennedyCenter) platforms, so that the public can join for one class or dance all day. The virtual dance classes will be created by the Kennedy Center and several District of Columbia organizations, including City Dance POP!, Dance Loft on 14, Dance Place, DivaDance DC, Northeast Performing Arts Group and Washington Ballet's SE Campus at THEARC, among others. In advance of National Dance Day, instructional videos are also available on the American Dance Movement YouTube channel [insert link] featuring dance routines for all skill levels to be performed by the public on National Dance Day.

"I am pleased to join the American Dance Movement and. the Kennedy Center again this year to celebrate National Dance Day and to enjoy and embrace our nation's rich artistic, regional, ethnic and racial diversity," Norton said. "I applaud the dancers and dance groups for keeping dance alive during this pandemic year and making this year's event safe and accessible through a virtual format. I look forward to being dazzled once again by the D.C. dance troupes."

Norton's resolution is below.

Resolution

Expressing support for dance as a form of valuable exercise and of artistic expression, and for the designation of September 19, 2020, 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 19, 2020, in the District of Columbia, through virtual events hosted by 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 virtual events;

Whereas National Dance Day has spread and will be celebrated this year with two events cohosted by the American Dance Movement and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the District of Columbia 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 organizations from the District of Columbia will entertain and encourage dance, with virtual classes for the whole family: City Dance POP!, Dance Loft on 14, Dance Place, DivaDance DC, Northeast Performing Arts Group, and Washington Ballet's SE Campus at THEARC, among others;

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 10 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 its continuing efforts to spread awareness of National Dance Day.