Thursday, April 15, 2010

Dance/MetroDC Announces Official Opening Reception for Dance Is The Answer 2010

Washington, DC – Over 55 artists, organizations & venues partner with Dance/MetroDC to celebrate Dance Is The Answer 2010. Over 275 dance classes, workshops, lectures, open rehearsals, performances and special events take place across the metro region between April 15 and May 2 – many of them FREE!

Dance/MetroDC’s Dance Is The Answer is a collective effort on the part of the region’s dance companies and artists to collaborate in their offerings of affordable dance experiences during the country’s designated National Dance Week in April and coordinated by Dance/MetroDC, the region’s sole dance-specific non-profit service organization.

You can continue on your dance journey through May 2nd: there will be Flash Mob dances happening around the region with dozens of people erupting into unison movement in public places, site specific performances both indoors and out, along with classes, workshops, performances, lectures, open rehearsals and more, at various venues throughout the Metro DC area, all leading up to a smashing closing event at Strathmore Music Center. There are opportunities for everyone and every budget including great date night ideas and events for the whole family; many activities are free or discounted through Dance/MetroDC’s DancePass program!

A few of the highlights: After the Opening Kick-off, you won’t want to miss Soul Society’s 2nd annual Hip Hop Festival with dance activities happening April 15-18. The Washington Ballet performs Bolero at Sidney Harman Hall April 14-18, and on April 24, Joy of Motion presents their Caught Dancing in the City Awards at a special video release party at the Atlas Performing Arts Center & Sticky Rice, DC. On April 25 you can take the kids to American Dance Institute’s Angelina Ballerina Open House, or drop them off at Knock on Wood Tap Studio for a free Intro to Tap class, while you try out Tap with a friend in an Adult class next door.

Widening the I, DC’s Dance Blog, hosts a dance history panel on April 26 at Liz Lerman Dance Exchange with Kate Mattingly & John Borstel. Look for Living Legacy Chats with renowned dance artists of today, yesterday and tomorrow. Check out a breathtaking performance of Shen Wei Dance Arts at the Kennedy Center, April 29-30 or see DC’s own Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company at Dance Place May 1-2. On May 1, the Dance Institute of Washington partners with Urban Artistry and Rhythm & Dance for a special performance. Greenbelt Dance Studio hosts Dancing through the Decades – A Family Dance Party on May 2, and the festival winds down with a closing party hosted by Dance/MetroDC and CityDance at Strathmore Music Center.

The Dance Is The Answer website is your “Portal for Dance” between April 15 and May 2, and includes related events happening before and after. For a list of all events and more information about Dance Is The Answer 2010, please visit www.danceistheanswer.org. *Please note events are being added daily and website should be complete by the beginning of March!