INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY

The International Dance Day aims at celebrating the dancing art. It acts as a wake-up call for government and other institutions to recognize dance as a potential for economic growth. The International Dance Day is a global holiday observed on April 29 every year in all UN member countries. It is a day to get dancers interested in professional dancing and time for dance promoters to reach out to a broader public through dance events and festivals.

National Dance Day vs. International Dance Day

Besides the dates the two holidays are observed, there are a few more differences that distinguish them. National dance day is only observed in the United States and was created by Nigel Lythgoe with an aim to promote dance education and physical fitness. On the other hand, International Dance Day is a United Nations initiative to spread awareness of the art of dance.

Why is Dancing Important?

Dancing has many benefits. If you going to the gym isn't something that you like, you can still work on your cardio by dancing in the comfort of your house. When you are disciplined, an hour session of dance moves can burn up to 400 calories.

Dancing can also improve your self-esteem, confidence and promote a positive attitude. It can further help improve brain activity rendering you more creative and enhancing your mood. In fact, some studies have shown that stimulating your brain through dancing can help ward off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

History of International Dance Day

This day was established in 1982 by the UNESCO partner, International Theatre Institute (ITI). The International Dance Committee suggested the date for this holiday as April 25th to commemorate the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre. Jean, who was born in 1727 and died in 1810, was the creator of modern ballet and the author of Lettres sur la danse.

Every year, the International Theatre Institute dance committee selects a personality from the dance industry to be the Message Author for the event. The message is circulated to different countries after being translated into different languages. A unique annual theme is also formulated and posted on the official Dance Day website. The goal of the International Dance theme is to celebrate dance by crossing all political and cultural barriers and bringing people together through the language of dance.

Other events for the day often include a series of dance performances, speeches from prominent dance personalities and educational workshops.

How to Celebrate the International Dance Day?

The Dance Day is for amateurs, professionals and everyone else who loves the dancing art. This is the time to enroll for a dancing class at International Dance Studio or any other Dance Academy of your choice. You could also throw a dance party. Invite your friends and get down to freestyle dancing or learn a new style from YouTube.

If you are already an established dancer, consider attending a performance of the type of dance you have always wanted to see. It could be a Thai performance, flamenco dance or a Japanese Noh performance featuring bright costumes and colors. Just search online for any dance performances that could be happening in your area.

Some of the Most Popular Dance Styles

Ballet – A dance style mostly focused on classical music and building on strength and flexibility. Fans of this dance style observe the World Ballet Day in the first week of October.

Jazz- A style that requires high energy, involves kicks and turns to the music beats

Salsa- A partner dance that emphasizes rhythm and sensuality. Salsa is a mixture of African, Caribbean and Latin American influences.

Ballroom dancing- Just like Salsa, this is a partner dancer incorporating styles like tango, rumba, swing, and waltz.

Tap dance- Dancers wear special shoes that produce tapping sounds that create rhythmic patterns and timely beats.