I had the great pleasure of attending the 7th annual Dance Parade only this time to host the WBAI 99.5fm live coverage from the Dance Festival where festivities continue throughout Thompkins Square Park via multiple stages and interactive experiences.
Harkening back to the energies of Lady Bunnies Wigstock where New Yorkers creativity, talents and love celebrate through unity, peace and dance! Albeit the broadcast was unable to manifest due to technical challenges and our continued hurricane aftermath recovery situation where we are in temporary studios which can raise technical surprises, I had the joy of meeting so many lovely WBAI listeners like John from Occupy Times Square, and so many of the Dance Parade participants including the incredible Dance Parade crew.
Listen to the interviews I managed to grab on the spot. I spoke with parade Grand Marshall Baba Chuck Davis founder of Dance Africa as they perform this week at BAM in their 36th year. Donate and get your pair of tickets for this Friday's 7:30pm performance May 24th (see below), and parade Grand Marshall Jacqulyn Buglisi of Buglisi Dance Theatre and creator of The Table of Silence Project 9/11 a site-specific tribute and message of peace with 100+ dancers.
LISTEN HERE
I also spoke with Princess Lockeroo Waacker a 2008 contestant on "So You Think You Can Dance" wearing an outstanding sparkling disco ball lady liberty outfit, and the amazing Rosie Mendez-NYC Council(wo)man, representing the 2nd NYC council district, which includes the Lower East Side, Alphabet city and the East Village and serves as host and sponsor of the Parade and Festival. She told me her goal is to dance on a float the whole parade route next year! The lovely Paul Nagle was literally painted green in a fig leaved forest green outfit, who serves as founding director of the 2 1/2 year old Cutlural Strategies Initiative aka CSI focusing on cross-sector projects that create social innovation while simultaneously supporting and strengthening creative ecosystems. He also served as Arts & Cutlure liason to former NYC Councilor Alan Gerson.
The Dance Parade staff of happy volunteers included Chauncy Dandridge, who in addition to volunteering, also puts together the Dance Parade Podcast series you can still download including a dance mix by yours truly, Grand Marshall Louie Vega, Ali Coleman, Chauncy's mix and many others. It is especially lovely as you can take them underground via MTA where there is no wi-fi, to stream your favorite sounds from the web.
Present was Greg Miller, Executive Director of the Dance Parade and big dance advocate, Erik Slavin Chairperson of Dance Parade Inc's Board of Directors who originally came into the parade as a participant. Lastly, there was WBAI's own News Reporter Rebecca Miles who was acting press liason throughout the festivities.
Below are DANCE related gifts for donating to WBAI:
Dance Africa at BAM - Pair of tickets for Friday, May 24 -
$50 per pair - CLICK HERE
DAnce Africa Artistic Director Chuck Davis - Grand Marshall, Dance Parade 2013
For the Memorial Day weekend performance, DanceAfrica 2013 welcomes Umkhathi Theatre Works from Zimbabwe, Giwayen Mata from Atlanta, and Harambee Dance Company from New York, plus Brooklyn’s own BAM/Restoration DanceAfrica Ensemble, for a program that promises to inspire.
Tango Lessons - 5 Class Card- from Strictly Tango $75 CLICK HERE
Strictly Tango NYC is dedicated to preserving and spreading an elegant and traditional style of Argentine Tango.
We teach all levels, and we place special focus on total beginners. It is structured and precise while also allowing our students to have fun and be creative. We guarantee you’ll be dancing tango after your first lesson.
No partner is required. The card is good for 5 classes over a one month period of time. Your name will be forwarded to the school after you complete your donation. LGBT tango too.
Info (917)-373-7446 http://www.learnargentinetango.com
Dance Manhattan - One-Day Dance Crash Courses and Workshops - $50 CLICK HERE
in Swing, Salsa, Argentine Tango, West Coast Swing, Foxtrot,Waltz & Ballroom
Are an excellent way for dancers to learn the basics or specific topics of dance. They take place in a single day, over an extended period of time. Although sometimes held on weeknights they more often occur on weekends. This can be an excellent opportunity to study for people with schedules that do not permit attendance at consecutive, weekly evening classes or for those who want to review their basics!
These are taught by a line-up of great instructors and require partners to rotate throughout the day.
Also on our monthly Crash Course schedule are the: "Couples Only" Crash Course - taught by a dance team, allows partners to dance exclusively together and highlights these dance favorites: Foxtrot, Waltz, Swing and Salsa.
Each of our one-day Crash courses meets from 3 to 4 1/2 hours. They offer an exciting and progressive introduction to the basics of the dance while providing new material for those with moderate experience who may come back and join us month-after-month. These all day courses offer a great "taste" of dance.
Please check http://dancemanhattan.com for Crash Course dates and times.
Expires in 6 months from time of pledge.
39 W 19th St 5th flr NYC 10011
212-807-0802
