Whenever someone tells me they can’t dance, I simply shake my head. Anyone can dance. Now I’m not claiming that everyone will dance the lead role in Swan Lake or make it to the finals on So You Think You Can Dance, but I maintain that anyone and everyone can dance. And so I’m challenging everyone to come out and shake it this Saturday at Massey Dance Productions to celebrate National Dance Day.

A whole day of dance

What exactly is National Dance Day? So You Think You Can Dance executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe created this annual event in 2009 to promote dance education and physical fitness across the U.S.

Since then, the event has grown and cities across the nation have taken the concept of National Dance Day and planned their own celebrations. The LosAngeles celebration partners with Lythgoe‘s foundation, the Dizzy Feet Foundation, and the cast of So You Think You Can Dance. 

In Huntsville, Massey Dance Productions is going all out.

• Free dance classes-hip hop, jazz, musical theater, progressions & turns
• Free Zumba classes
• Performances
• Vendors
• Giveaways
• Dance-themed carnival games
• Face painting
• And more!

“National Dance Day is a chance to give back to the community by offering free classes, and it gives those not involved in dance a chance to see how much fun dance can be,” Jenny Massey, co-owner of Massey Dance Productions.

Why Dance?

What’s so special about dance that it needs an entire day dedicated to it? You might be thinking that there are more important things we could dedicate our time and resources to, but I would argue otherwise. Dance and the arts are an essential part of our existence. And the folks at Massey agree with me.

“Dance teaches so much more than technique; it teaches teamwork, discipline, and dedication. It builds self esteem. It promotes a healthy lifestyle. Through dance, dancers build lifelong relationships,” said Jenny Massey.

Phillip Otto, Artistic Director for the Huntsville Ballet Company, also believes in the power of dance saying, “Dance is a bridge that unites US ALL.”

You can dance

Remember when I said that anyone could dance? Do you still doubt me?

Let me explain for all the doubting Debbies out there. Dancing, real legit dancing, has nothing to do with how well you’ve mastered tap or how many pirouettes you can do. Dancing (real dancing) is about heart. Feeling the music. Using what you’re feeling at moment and just going with it. Using it. Letting go. And just plain ol’ having fun!

“We’ve told ourselves life is serious. Sometimes as adults we’ve forgotten dancing is natural, so adults-don’t doubt yourself, give yourself the chance to dance it out!” advices Massey’s Musical Theater Director, Priscilla Krause.

The Love

Full disclosure: I’m a girl who loves to dance. Ask anyone who knows me. They’ve probably seen me dance on more than one occasion (and probably not on the dance floor). Madonna song comes on. Gotta dance. Doesn’t matter if I’m at the office (when I worked at one anyway) or the grocery store.[spacer size=”0″]

I must pause here and apologize to my Mom. She spent my entire childhood trying to teach me that there are places we dance (like dance class or our house) and places we don’t dance (basically anywhere else like the grocery store, restaurants. etc). I never learned that lesson.

But in my defense Mom, dancing is in our nature.

“Dancing is natural, first we walk, and then when we hear music, we dance. The goal is never stop dancing. Always know it is natural,” says Krause.

Event Information

Date: Saturday, July 28th
Time: 10am-2pm
Location: Massey Dance Productions
Address:
1001 Ryland Pike
Huntsville, AL 35811
Cost: FREE!