genre buzz

Contact Improvisation

Contact improvisation (CI) is a dance technique in which points of physical contact provide the starting point for exploration through movement improvisation. Contact Improvisation is a form of dance improvisation and is one of the best-known and most characteristic forms of postmodern dance.

For more information on Contact Improvisation please click here for Steps, the Dance Parade Newsletter.

Aerial Dance

Aerial modern dance is a sub-genre of modern dance first recognized in the United States in the 1970s. The choreography incorporates an apparatus often attached to the ceiling, allowing performers to explore space in three-dimensions. The ability to incorporate vertical, as well as horizontal movement paths, allows for innovations in choreography and movement vocabulary.

Aerial modern pieces, whether solo or ensemble, often involve partnering. The apparatus used has its own motion, which changes the way a dancer must move in response. The introduction of a new element changes the dancer’s balance, center, and orientation in space.

Aerial modern dancers gather annually at the Aerial Dance Festival in Boulder, Colorado since its inception in July 1999. Here, workshops, performances, and discussions bring together dancers, gymnasts, circus artists, and other aerial enthusiasts to showcase their own works and learn about new developments in technique and technology.

An early influence on aerial modern dance, Terry Sendgraff, is credited with inventing the “motivity” trapeze. Terry Sendgraff actively performed, choreographed and taught in the San Francisco Bay Area from the early ‘70s until announcing her retirement in 2005, at the age of 70.

The motivity trapeze came about as a result of an exploration on a low-hung circus trapeze. The ropes twisted together, causing the apparatus to spin. By formalizing this, hooking both ropes to a single point of attachment, Ms. Sendgraff used the apparatus to spin, twist, as well as fly in a straight line and in a circle.

Another example of aerial modern dance are the site-specific works of Joanna Haigood of the Zaccho Dance Theatre, and Amelia Rudolph of “Project Bandaloop”. Rudolph’s work is based on careful research of the history, architecture and societal impact of found spaces, and the translation of these memories into the movements performed in that space.

Project Bandaloop combines rock-climbing with dance in performances that scale and/or descend canyons, rock walls, and tall buildings across the world. Video of their outdoor work is sometimes integrated into indoor performances, projected onto screens or trampolines behind the dancers on stage. Enjoy this video of their work.

View more dance videos on Video Dance TV.

View the Video Playlists of:

Site Specific Dance

Aerial Dance & Trapeze

There is no regular amateur communities of aerial dancers. Nevertheless some people do on suitable parties where there are appropriate objects for climbing like dance or climb poles or stages dances with elements of aerial dance. As these form of dances are dangerous and possibly destructive, such dances are nearly always forbidden. Other forms of aerial dance practised by amateurs are non-erotic tabledances where someone dances on multiple tables or similar objects without touching the ground or where the act of getting on or off the stage or table is part of the dance or dances performed on objects the dancer climbed on before.

Genre Buzz Source: Excerpts from Wikipedia

More about Dance Genre Buzz:

Each month, a new dance style is celebrated. View videos and learn about the heritage and history of different dance styles. Discover innovators of the dance, trends, variations, and current events for each dance genre featured.

Participate in Dance Genre Buzz:

Help Dance Parade New York support the dance community. Share information on each dance style we feature, including dance classes, events, competitions, and other productions, such as film and video productions. Teachers, participants, and enthusiasts are welcome to share their network and experience with our audience to support dance education, online and on the dance floor!

By, Dawn Paap

Contra Dance

Contra Dancing at Dance Parade event January 2011

Contra dance refers to several partnered folk dance styles in which
couples dance in two facing lines of indefinite length. A fundamental
aspect of contra dancing is that the same dance, one time through
which lasts roughly 30 seconds, is repeated over and over-but each
time you dance with new neighbors.

Sometimes described as New England folk dance, contra dances can be
found around the world, though they are especially popular in North
America.

At the end of the 17th century, English country dances were taken up
by French dancers; hybrid choreographies exist from this period using
the steps from French court dance in English dances. The French called
these dances contra-dance or contredanse. As time progressed, English
country dances were spread and reinterpreted throughout the Western
world, and eventually the French form of the name came to be
associated with the American folk dances, especially in New England.

Contra dance choreography specifies the dance formation, the figures,
and the sequence of those figures in a dance. Notably, contra dance
figures (with a few exceptions) do not have defined footwork; within
the limits of the music and the comfort of their fellow dancers,
individuals move according to their own taste.

Most contra dances consist of a sequence of about six to twelve
individual figures, prompted by the caller in time to the music as the
figures are danced. As the sequence repeats, the caller may cut down
his or her prompting, and eventually drop out, leaving the dancers to
each other and the music.

The most common contra dance music is rooted in the Anglo-Celtic
tradition as it developed in North America. Irish, Scottish, French
Canadian, and Old-time tunes are common, and Klezmer tunes have also
been used. Source: Excerpts from Wikipedia.

View this wonderful Contra Dance Documentary to learn more about the
culture, experience, and movement style from Contra dancers. Enjoy!

More about Dance Genre Buzz:

Each month, a new dance style is celebrated. View videos and learn
about the heritage and history of different dance styles. Discover
innovators of the dance, trends, variations, and current events for
each dance genre featured.

Participate in Dance Genre Buzz:

Help Dance Parade New York support the dance community. Share
information on each dance style we feature, including dance classes,
events, competitions, and other productions, such as film and video
productions. Teachers, participants, and enthusiasts are welcome to
share their network and experience with our audience to support dance
education, online and on the dance floor!

By, Dawn Paap

Celebrating the Waacking style of street dance
The dance style called Waacking involves fast and dynamic movements of the arms, which resemble the wrist roll in locking but more exaggerated and extended. This style of dance also incorporates sharp angular poses, which is called Voguing, a style commonly done together with Waacking. Essentially, I like to think of waacking as elements of jazz dance combined with locking because of the distinct arm actions and styling involved.

This dance video features the styling combination of voguing and waacking. Enjoy!

The roots of the Waacking style of street dance traces back to gay and nightclub cultures. In the United States, at gay nightclubs, male performers dressed as women and performed to female songs on stage. Movements of the performers were so creative that it was only a matter of time before Waacking made its way into mainstream nightclubs, as a way of the dancefloor and earned its approval amongst other sexualities, especially straight. Waacking is often wrongly considered a style of House dance.

Disco Music was the perfect vehicle for Waacking, with its driving rhythms and hard beats. In the early 1970s in Los Angeles, dancer Lamont Peterson was one of the first to start using his arms and body to the music. Dancers such as Mickey Lord, Tyrone Proctor and Blinky fine tuned the arms movements, by making the arms and hands go fast to the driving disco beat. During the mid 1970s club dancers Tinker, Arthur, Andrew, Lonnie Carbajal, Michael Angelo, Billy Starr, Billy Goodson, Danny Logo, took center stage with others dancers perfecting those synchronize syncopated movements.

At the time Waacking was primarily a gay Black and Latino dance. Many people mistakenly believe that "Waacking" came from "Locking" because some of the movements are very similar. The Gay community is solely responsible for the creation of Waacking style of dance. Waacking and Locking do have some similarities but they are different dances. Waacking is the original name of the dance. Punking is a name set forth by the non gay community that mixed in movements from locking. Some Locking style dance instructors eventually started to teach Punking classes also. Many new dancers assumed that it it was part of the Locking style.

The name "Waacking" originated from The Soul Train Dancer Tyrone Proctor and Jeffrey Daniel's of the Outrageous Waack Dancer's in 1972 themselves (Because of the thrusting of the arms). "Garbo" is another name given to the dance by Andrew because of the posing he did (like the pictures of the glamour women of the 40's) Arthur, Andrew and Tinker danced sometime on Soul Train. While working with Toni Basil, (An Original Locker). Andrew, Arthur, Tinker, Lonnie, and Billy landed the Diana Ross show in Las Vegas.

The difference between "Waacking" and "Voguing" is "Waacking" became popular in the early 70's on the West Coast. "Waacking" is mostly done to Disco Music. "Voguing" became popular in the late 70's on the East Coast."Voguing" is done to mostly House music.

Over 35 years "Waacking" is still going strong with the help of dancers like Tyrone "The Bone" Proctor, Adolfo "Shabbadoo" Quninones, Jody Watley, Anna "Lollipop" Sanchez, Brian "Footwork" Green, Angel and Tyrone's Son Aus Spottedeagle A.K.A Aus "Ninja" Omni, and Samara Lockerooo just to name a few. When the Gay Community moved on from "Waacking" these were some of the people who help keep this Dance form alive for more than 35 years.

By Dawn Paap

Bhangra

is a form of music and dance that originated in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. Bhangra dance began as a folk dance conducted by Punjabi farmers to celebrate the coming of Vaisakhi, a Punjabi festival. The specific moves of Bhangra reflect the manner in which villagers farmed their land. This musical art further became synthesized after the partition of India, when refugees from different parts of the Punjab shared their folk dances with individuals who resided in the regions they settled in. This hybrid dance became Bhangra. The folk dance has been popularised in the Western World by South Asian communities and is seen in the West as an expression of Indian and Pakistani culture as a whole.

Today, Bhangra dance survives in different forms and styles all over the globe - including pop music, film soundtracks, collegiate competitions and even talent shows.

No particular form of dress is indicated for Bhangra. For maintaining unifromity, the dancers wear shirts with loose sleeves, stiff-starched long-cloth tahmats (loose loin cloth reaching up to the ankles) and bright black, red, green or yellow waist-coasts. A bright strip over the turban is often regarded as a must. Tiny bells are sometimes tied over the ankles.

Bhangra is danced to the accompaniment of dhol and rhythmic clapping. The drummer stands at the centre and the dancers stand in a circle around him. At the beat of the drum, they proceed first with a slow movement of the feet then a rhythmic wriggling of the body and after the shaking of the shoulders they start strutting in rhythm. The tempo increases as the beat of the drum becomes more and more exciting. The physical movements in twist and turn take the drumming and dance to a fine climax.

As many Bhangra lyrics reflect the long and often tumultuous history of the Punjab, knowledge of Punjabi history offers important insights into the meaning of the music. While Bhangra began as a part of harvest festival celebrations, it eventually became a part of such diverse occasions as weddings and New Year celebrations. Moreover, during the last thirty years, Bhangra has enjoyed a surge in popularity worldwide, both in traditional form and as a fusion with genres such as hip-hop, house, and reggae. As Bhangra continues to move into mainstream culture, an understanding of its history and tradition helps to appreciate it.

Korean Dancers Ari and Cuchi, the Waacking and Voguing Team: “Let It Pose”

volunteer spotlight

May 10, 2011
Verun Rahimtoola
Web Committee Member

“Just the feeling that I did something not for monetary gain but because it was for a truly good cause.”

How did you first stumble upon Dance Parade?

I had just moved to NYC and was looking to get out and meet some ppl. I had the idea to volunteer, and heard about TimeBanks NYC which is a city government volunteering service. Found the ad for DanceParade’s web team on there, and got in touch with Joon. It took him a while to get back to me, but from the first meeting onwards I found myself sucked in hehe.

What is your current role in Dance Parade?

I (occasionally) assist Hal in debugging and fixing code for the website as well as help out with all tech issues when needed.

What is your favorite style of dance to watch? to participate in?

A girl dancing to house music Nothing more captivating and mesmerizing than the rhythmic movements of a beautiful woman’s body synced up with deep, progressive house with its thumping beats! I would love to actually dance myself, however I have two left feet in this regard haha…

What is your dance background?

I don’t really have one, other than a degree in head bobbing

If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or not, living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a routine choreographed by yourself…who would it be?

Ah tough question. I don’t know, maybe someone really cool from American Idol??

What does the Dance Parade slogan “one parade, many cultures” mean to you?

Well to me it just means Dance Parade is open to accepting any/all forms of dance from across as many different cultures as possible, which is super cool IMO.

What dance group are you most looking forward to seeing this year in the parade?

Dance 4 Life (Zumba) actually has my interest piqued…

Part of volunteering has a lot to do with strong leadership skills and major teamwork skills....if you were to pick a volunteer of the month...who would you choose?

I’d pick Hal! Actually I can’t really say because I haven’t met alot of the new ones, but Hal’s been kickin ass…

If you could pick another country to hold a Dance Parade and Festival....which would it be?

I’d pick Brazil!

Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be daunting and frustrating with limited personnel and limited funding....what is it that keeps you coming back for more and more?

Just the feeling that I did something not for monetary gain but because it was for a truly good cause.

Describe your most special memory from Dance Parades past?

This will be my second DP, the first one was awesome, I actually remember the day of quite vividly, at Thompkins Square Park where the parade ended and then all of the DP crew got up on stage and danced. That was pretty memorable

What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer into the magic that is Dance Parade?

I think the one parade/many cultures line is pretty good.

May 2011
Sarah Haley

"Dance Parade gives me the opportunity to work the right side of my brain more"
- Sarah Haley

Sarah Haley was first introduced to Dance Parade at a networking event a few years ago when she met DJ, our Volunteer Outreach Coordinator. He was on the hunt for volunteers in the technology space and Sarah was excited to learn more about the organisation and find out where she might be able to help. Sarah currently holds the position of Committee Chair for Special Events and is responsible for spearheading our upcoming International Dance Day Celebration this Saturday, April 23rd at Dance New Amsterdam.

What is your favorite style of dance to watch? to participate in?

To Participate… anything. To watch… I love ballet, but Krumping is insane to see. I wish my body moved like that!

If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or not, living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a routine choreographed by yourself...who would it be?

Well...Charlie Chaplin's birthday just had a birthday recently!! But if I had my druthers, I'd dance with Old Blue Eyes. Frank Sinatra

What does the Dance Parade slogan "one parade, many cultures" mean to you?

That we and dance is a timeless expression.

What dance group are you most looking forward to seeing this year in the parade?

I love to see all the little kids perform. You can't help but smile!

If you could pick a Grand Marshall for this year's parade....who would it be?

Madonna

Part of volunteering has a lot to do with strong leadership skills and major teamwork skills....if you were to pick a volunteer to spotlight...who would you choose?

Jordan Reese or Chauncey! They've saved my life helping me produce the past few events!

If you could pick another country to hold a Dance Parade and Festival….which would it be?

Germany… they'd love us!!

Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be daunting and frustrating with limited personnel and limited funding....what is it that keeps you coming back for more and more?

Well I’m in finance… which isn't exactly a "creative" field. Dance Parade gives me the opportunity to work the right side of my brain more

Describe your most special memory from Dance Parades past?

Yikes… who could pick just one?

What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer into the family that is Dance Parade?

Dance Parade showcases the unique genres of dance, gives dancers a forum to express their art, and welcomes the public the ability to learn and participate at whatever level they choose! All this while giving you the opportunity to work with immensely creative people, and have fun giving back to our community!

April 2011
Ilya Kushnirsky
Chair, Legal Committee

How did you first stumble upon Dance Parade?

I was a director of the Astoria-based Wonderland Collective until it closed down in February. Wonderland had roots in the underground dance and nightlife culture. I met Dance Parade founder Greg Miller through that network. As an arts lawyer, I also knew about New York's cabaret laws.

What is your current role in Dance Parade?

I'm the chair of the legal committee, which in some organizations is called general counsel. I oversee and handle the organization's general legal needs, like permits, vendor contracts, insurance, and intellectual property. For specialized issues like artist visas, we have immigration counsel and outside assistance.

What is your favorite style of dance to watch? to participate in?

To watch, definitely b-boying / breaking, when it's done intelligently, with a sense of humor and a sense of history. The master of my undergraduate residential college was a hip-hop scholar, and he often invited Crazy Legs and the original Manhattan Rock Steady Crew to perform for us in his living room. So I got to start at the top. A lot of the hip-hop dancers you see on the dance competition shows on TV are technically proficient but lack heart and cultural awareness; it's just forced attitude - it's not true to hip-hop. If you want to see hunger and innovation, spend time in the subways, go to some parks.

What is your dance background?

I don't dance much myself. For me it's more of a first amendment issue and an educational outreach issue - people should be able to express themselves through dance, and people need to know the historical context. Dancing in New York has a long and troubled legal history. A lot of people - even lawyers I talk to - don't realize the cabaret laws are still in effect. The cabaret laws are a set of local laws dating back to the Prohibition that prohibit dancing in bars and restaurants - unless the establishment buys an expensive cabaret license from the city. Remember when New York used to be a global center for nightlife? When Giuliani ran on a platform of “cleaning up” the city, he basically stopped issuing licenses and the nightlife dried up, and it hasn't really recovered. The city is only allowed to regulate dancing because “social dancing” doesn't receive first amendment protection - the courts don't consider it expressive. Until 1988, you couldn't have live music in bars or restaurants either. It's time to retire these laws. New Yorkers like to think we live in a progressive city, but you won't find a “No Dancing Allowed” sign in a bar in Akron, Ohio.

If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or not, living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a routine choreographed by yourself...who would it be?

I'll leave the dancing to the dancers. I'm happy playing a support/empowerment role.

What does the Dance Parade slogan “one parade, many cultures” mean to you?

It's a smart slogan because it reminds us that dancing is natural. Go back 10,000 years, and you'll find evidence of people dancing. Go around the globe, and every culture has its dance traditions. Ultimately, you can't regulate human nature.

What dance group are you most looking forward to seeing this year in the parade?

I love the drum lines. They're perfectly suited for the street parade format, and they're classy and organized. They're a calming presence.

If you could pick a Grand Marshall for this year's parade....who would it be?

Purely from a publicity standpoint, Lady Gaga is the obvious choice. She went to Tisch a couple blocks from the grandstand, and she started out playing some of the clubs on the parade route. She's also a good spokesperson, and she's huge, obviously. I’m not crazy about her music though, so from a selfish perspective, I'd go with Kylie Minogue or Madonna, or even Beyonce. Any of those would be a coup.

Part of volunteering has a lot to do with strong leadership skills and major teamwork skills...if you were to pick a volunteer of the month...who would you choose?

Everyone answers Greg Miller, right? Greg is the founder and mastermind behind Dance Parade. Most volunteer organizations go nowhere. Dance Parade gets the greatest city in the world to close off part of its most iconic street and people come from all over the world to dance down it. It sounds like a fever dream. Pulling that off takes vision, dedication, and pragmatism.

If you could pick another country to hold a Dance Parade and Festival....which would it be?

Anywhere in Europe really. The problem in America is that religion inevitably seeps into government, and as a result you have these laws prohibiting dance. Europeans respect the separation a bit more, so the government isn’t as interested in telling people what they can or can't do with their bodies. I've gone to music festivals in England and Hungary, and the kids just go completely crazy. There's not that social pressure to hold back to avoid being judged.

Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be daunting and frustrating with limited personnel and limited funding....what is it that keeps you coming back for more and more?

I've worked at companies with seemingly unlimited resources and manpower, and it's not any easier, just different. With Dance Parade there'’s an opportunity to build something and make history. It shows the early signs of a successful grassroots movement.

Describe your most special memory from Dance Parades past?

I remember walking into Tompkins Square Park for the Dance Fest, and seeing it just packed with people. This was before I was involved with the organization, and I just wasn't expecting that turnout. There's a symbolism there too: as early as the nineteenth century, Tompkins Square Park was a center for activism and protest - in fact, it was rebuilt to better divide and manage crowds of protesters. In the late 80s, the park was in a bad place - heroin, riots, and the Butcher of Tompkins Square (look it up) - so the city shut it down for a year in 1991, and all of the activists moved to Union Square, where they still are. It's good to recapture that feeling of people getting together in a positive, community-minded, activist-oriented way in Tompkins Square.

What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer into the cult that is Dance Parade?

The first thing I'd do is assure them it's not a cult. But seriously, it's easy to participate, and you don't even need to be a dancer - I'm not. Just ask yourself whether you think dancing is expressive. If you answer yes, then do you have a couple hours to help get the message across? It's up to you.

March 2011

Chauncey Dandridge

Chauncey, our spotlighted volunteer for March has a long history with Dance Parade. Back in 2007, the very first year Dance Parade occured, he was a member of the original NY Dance Police and helped by Assistant Stage Managing the Festival that took place in Washington Square Park. Every year he gets more involved with the Parade planning and execution. Currently the Social Media Chair, Chauncey is responsible for the publication of STEPS! the official newsletter of Dance Parade. He oversees our Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and Youtube accounts as well as Event Producing, Marketing, Creatives and more. Funnily enough, Chauncey has never actually witnessed the entire Parade because he wakes up bright and early each year to set up Tompkins Square for the Festival that follows the Parade and Stage Manages the main stage of performances.

Aside from some Musical Theatre in High School and College, he has had no formal dance training but has been an NYC DJ for over 8 years and has been hitting the club scene since he was 16. Chauncey will be celebrating his birthday a few days early this Saturday at our FUN-raiser at Alpha Lounge. Come by and have a drink with him!

A staunch gay and civil rights activist, he is overjoyed that “Tom and Zach Get Married” is a part of this year’s Parade. The couple, along with 100 disco dancers dressed all in white, will shimmy and shake their way down Broadway on the 21st to celebrate their most perfect union!

February 2011

Hal Lamster

Hal Lamster was searching for a brand new volunteer adventure one day and found a website featuring organizations that were looking for help. Dance Parade NYC was on the list and Hal responded! Currently the Acting Chair for The Web Committee, Lamster is responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of our main website. (danceparade.org)

Hal’s previous volunteer experience includes various committees of the Association for Computing Machinery and the Advertising Research Foundation. Now that he is retired, the recipient of his skills and free time is Dance Parade, the New York City Ballet and the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. We asked Hal a few questions about his background in dance and how he feels about working with the Dance Parade Team and being a part of such a major NYC all inclusive event. Here’s what he had to say :

What is your favorite style of dance to watch? to participate in?

I love to watch all dance, but especially ballet… and especially the New York City Ballet. We go to over 20 performances a year of just NYC Ballet. We also go to see David Parsons, Paul Taylor, and many others at the Joyce, DTW, City Center, etc.

I like to do some ballroom dancing at weddings and bar mitzvahs now. My knees aren’t what they used to be. :-(

What is your dance background?

I took tap and ballroom dancing lessons at Charlie Lowes studio in what I believe is now where David Letterman’s show is broadcast from. I did that for just two years but loved it. We moved from the Bronx to Bayside and the trip in was too long and stopped going.

If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or not, living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a routine choreographed by yourself...who would it be?

Well if it when I was a child definitely Hal LeRoy the great tap dancer. In my teens Gene Kelly or maybe Leslie Caron (big American In Paris fan). If it was when I was in my twenties or thirties it would have been Suzanne Farrell (former principal dancer with NYC Ballet) and if it was today I just especially enjoy watching Maria Kowroski (principal dancer with NYC Ballet).

What does the Dance Parade slogan ‘one parade, many cultures’ mean to you?

That dance is universal. That almost every culture has some form of dance. I love the fact that we display so many diverse dance styles.

If you could pick a Grand Marshall for this year’s parade...who would it be?

My first choice would be Benjamin Millipied. He is a principal dancer with the NYC Ballet. He is also a famous choreographer having done works for NYC Ballet, ABT, Paris Opera Ballet and many others. And most interestingly he is engaged to Natalie Portman and would certainly bring excitement, buzz and hopefully Ms. Portman to the event! Other dance luminaries that I would love to honor include Mikhail Baryshnikov, Eliot Feld, Christopher Wheeldon, Peter Martins, Paul Taylor, David Parsons, Judith Jamison, … the list is endless. There are a lot of great people involved in dance.

Part of volunteering has a lot to do with strong leadership skills and major teamwork skills...if you were to pick a person to be chosen for the next Volunteer Spotlight…who would you choose?

Has Greg Miller been one yet? He is amazing. But he is really the Volunteer of the last 5 YEARS (and hopefully many more)!

If you could pick another country to hold a Dance Parade and Festival...which would it be?

France. Other than the language issue (I don’t speak much French) it is a country that is steeped in dance tradition. And because of the association with their former colonies they would have a lot of world dance tradition to promote as well

Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be daunting and frustrating with limited personnel and limited funding...what is it that keeps you coming back for more and more?

I like the people that are involved and I like the purpose of Dance Parade. I think the parade and festival are brilliant ideas and I am thrilled to be a part of them.

Describe your most special memory from Dance Parades past?

Last year was my first Parade and I loved having my granddaughter with me to view the festivities. She had a wonderful time. I look forward to her coming to the 2011 Parade.

What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer into the cult that is Dance Parade?

If you are interested in promoting all dance genre’s then Dance Parade is probably the best volunteer activity that you could do. The people are great, the cause is wonderful.

I have always done some volunteering. I find that working with these groups is profoundly satisfying. I feel like I gave something back to the industry I prospered in and now, to organizations that I want to be a part of. It is an amazing feeling to see things happen when you work as a volunteer.

January 2011

Mike Israely

“It’s something you have to see to believe!”

Mike Israely, Chair of Dance Parade’s Finance Committee, was first introduced to Dance Parade by Board member Trevor Honchman. Other than forced Cotillion at age 13, Mike has no formal dance training background but loves to participate in any style of dance provided, deciding on Hip Hop as his favourite style to watch. Living in New York for over a decade, Michael now considers himself a ‘native New Yorker”. Having an extensive background in business and advertising, Michael is currently the Director of The Keiretsu Forum New York Tri-State Chapters, part of the worlds largest network of Angel Investors. 2011 will be Mike’s second year involved with Dance Parade. We asked Mike a few questions regarding his interaction and involvement with the Parade which is now entering its fifth year. Here’s what he had to say!

If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or not,
living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a routine
choreographed by yourself...who would it be?

Mata Hari

What does the Dance Parade slogan “one parade, many cultures” mean to you?

It highlights the true diversity of dance - all cultures have some kind of dance.

If you could pick another country to hold a Dance Parade and
Festival....which would it be?

England

Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be daunting
and frustrating with limited personnel and limited funding....what is
it that keeps you coming back for more and more?

The other volunteers

Describe your most special memory from Dance Parades past?

The thrill of seeing Tompkins square park jammed with people. The groups with no official space just setting up along the paths and dancing where ever they could.

What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer into
the cult that is Dance Parade?

It’s something you have to see to believe.

December 2010

BARBARA ANGLISZ

Barbara saw an event listing in Time Out New York a few years ago for Dance Parade, but unfortunately was not able to attend that year. Being able to watch a variety of dancers representing many cultures got her excited and she became interested to get involved. With her extensive background in Marketing, she was offered the Marketing Committee Chair position in 2009. This is her second year as Marketing Chair which oversees all of Dance Parade's creatives, public relations, promotions, STEPS! and the website. It is the largest Dance Parade committee.

Barb loves to watch all styles of World Dance especially Indian Bhangra, Belly Dance and Flamenco. Occasionally, she even participates in Salsa and Polka dancing. She has trained in American Tribal Belly Dancing and for fun and great stress relief, she heads out to local Goth/Industrial clubs in New York City for some very lively, dark, stomping music! She studied Ballet and Polish Folk Dancing when she was young, but since and early age she has always enjoyed heading out to dance clubs to dance the night away!

If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or not, living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a routine choreographed by yourself...who would it be?

I always fantasized being part of a huge Bollywood movie number. Sharing a stage with Priyanka Chopra would be so exciting with all the amazing moves and upbeat music.

What does the Dance Parade slogan "one parade, many cultures" mean to you?

The Dance Parade is about celebrating the diversity of many cultures through dance. The parade showcases many cultures and art forms to educate and entertain the New York community.

What does this year's campaign slogan "FIVE YEARS AND DANCING" mean to you?

This year's Dance Parade will be 5 years old! The Parade is only getting bigger and more popular every year.

If you could pick a Grand Marshall for this year's parade....who would it be?

I would pick DJ Rekha, who does so much to promote Bhangra music and dancing in New York City.

Part of volunteering has a lot to do with strong leadership skills and major teamwork skills....if you were to pick a volunteer of the month...who would you choose?

There are many amazing dedicated volunteers on the marketing team. The person who deserves to be recognized for their dedicated work is Hal Lamster, crucial volunteer for the Web Committee.

If you could pick another country to hold a Dance Parade and Festival....which would it be?

In Toronto, Canada. I am originally from Toronto which also is a very rich and diverse multicultural city. Toronto hosts a massive annual Caribana parade each July along the City's Lakeshore Blvd. The lakeshore would be a perfect venue for bringing all types of dance together in the city.

Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be daunting and frustrating with limited personnel and limited funding....what is it that keeps you coming back for more and more?

I really enjoy connecting with dedicated people that have a vision and passion to create an amazing event for the people of New York and support the Arts. We are a diverse group of fun-loving people both from the corporate and art world. By combining and sharing our experiences and talent, we all work towards a common goal of hosting the best dance parade and festival in the County.

Describe your most special memory from Dance Parade's past?

At the 2010 parade, I was stationed at the grandstand to ensure our VIP's and media guests were looked after. The grandstand turned out to be the best spot on the parade route to interact and watch dancers go by and perform. Most of the dance groups stopped in front of the grandstand and performed for us. It was awesome. I was able to get up close to the dancers and take great pictures. I will definitely be back on the grandstand again. The festival at Tompkins Square Park in the East Village was packed with people with performances taking place everywhere. It was tough to decide which dancers to go and see.

What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer to participate in the Dance Parade?

Our volunteers are essential to the success of the parade and festival. We encourage anyone with an interest in dance and world cultures to bring their expertise to the Dance Parade team. They will be able to witness their hard work and dedication on Parade Day come to life while having a blast learning from other team members and making friends for life.
to become a volunteer please email

November 2010

NATASHA GRIGORIEV
“- join DP team and change the World!”

Natasha first stumbled upon Dance Parade as a Dance Parade participant.
Now, she works with Mike Israely as Dance Parade Treasurer. Natasha
took her very first dance class three years ago learning how to dance
in House style. Currently, she is a dance student at Peridance recently
beginning her second year specializing in Modern, House, Vogue and
Waacking. These are dances she loves to watch as well as participate
in. We asked Natasha a few questions about her experiences with
Dance Parade and the dance community in general.

1. If you could share the stage with anyone in history famous or
not, living or deceased, a trained dancer or not, performing a
routine choreographed by yourself...who would it be?

Bruce Lee

2. What does the Dance Parade slogan “one parade, many cultures”
mean to you?

Diversity and unity brought together

3. If you could pick a Grand Marshall for this year’s parade
who would it be?

joe Wilson, a legendary House dancer

4. If you could pick another country or place to hold a
Dance Parade and Festival....which would it be?

Moscow in Russia

5. Volunteering at a non profit organization can at times be
daunting and frustrating with limited personnel and limited
funding....what is it that keeps you coming back for more
and more?

The sense of being a part of a shared passion for Dance

6. What salesman pitch would you use to attract a new volunteer
into the ‘cult’ that is Dance Parade?

Make people dance, make people smile, create a positive energy
— join DP team and change the World!

to become a volunteer please email

For previous volunteer spotlight entrees go to our STAPS blog - click here: STEPS blog

Every month, the all volunteer staff at Dance Parade New York will choose a particular volunteer to spotlight. We ask them a few questions about how they heard about Dance Parade, their background in Dance and much more. This section will give you an opportunity to learn a little bit more about one of our volunteers and understand their devotion to the group and why they keep coming back. If you’d like to become a volunteer please email DJ at for more information.

New York Dance Police (NYDP) at the Halloween Parade October 31, 2011
Join the NYDP at the Annual Halloween Parade.

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