Celebrated annually on September 21st, National Dance Day (NDD) was established in 2010 by American Dance Movement co-founder, Nigel Lythgoe, and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. Their aim was to inspire people everywhere to integrate dance into their lives. Located in Costa Mesa, California, The Segerstrom Center for the Arts joins in celebrating NDD invites the community to celebrate dance, culture and inclusion at their seventh annual National Dance Day on Saturday, September 21, 2024. The celebration’s free and family-friendly events will take place on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza located on the Segerstrom Center campus.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – National Dance Day – Photo by Scott Smeltzer, courtesy of SCFTA public relations.
This year the Segerstrom Center will present NDD as part of their Latinx Heritage Month, featuring a wide range of Latinx dance styles and welcomes all ages, abilities, dance training or lack thereof, to join in the fun. “High- energy dance groups will showcase a diverse array of dance styles and interactive workshops led by expert instructors that will get everyone moving regardless of experience. This year’s programming highlights a variety of cultures and communities, including disability and queer communities, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and represented.” Segerstrom Center press release
The Segerstrom Center has partner with American Dance Movement to present year’s NDD. One of their hopes is to inspire and educate dance lovers of all generation and by doing so, help strengthen our communities.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – National Dance Day – Photo by Scott Smeltzer, courtesy of SCFTA public relations.
National Dance Day Lineup
Studio D warmup and workshop Warm up with Studio D: Arts School All Abilities in celebration of National Dance Day! Everyone is welcome.
Queerchata bachata workshop: This is a Spanish-friendly dance workshop with LA-based Queerchata! Led by Bex (he/they), a trans nonbinary artist and Latin dance instructor from Venezuela, and the founder of Queerchata. Bex fosters spaces for Trans and Queer dancers to explore their identities and form deep connections with themselves and their communities.
Sakina Ibrahim hip hop workshop led by award-winning artist Sakina Ibrahim whose experience includes more than a decade of global immersion in dance study and instruction.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – National Dance Day – Photo by Scott Smeltzer, courtesy of SCFTA public relations.
ABT Gillespie performance: Enjoy watching the talents of students from the American Ballet Theatre Gillespie School as they perform on stage. The ABT William J. Gillespie School at Segerstrom Center for the Arts provides students with the highest quality of classical ballet training through the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum.
Lauren Lim Jackson Broadway workshop calls upon people to “dance like a Broadway star in Ms. Jackson’s class. Her credits include the Broadway casts of Finian’s Rainbow, Wonderland, Memphis, Motown the Musical, and Pretty Woman the Musical. Her film and TV credits include Spielberg’s The Post, The Blacklist, High Maintenance, and Natalie on Fox’s Almost Family.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – National Dance Day – Photo by Scott Smeltzer, courtesy of SCFTA public relations.
Alianza Translatinx ballet folklorico performance by Alianza Translatinx, the first transgender-led organization by transgender people of color in Orange County, CA. Born out of the need to create and promote inclusiveness for the transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) community in OC, Alianza Translatinx offers ballet folklorico dance training to trans individuals.
Bollywood performance by Adaa Dance, the premier Bollywood dance facility in Orange County. Adaa Dance offers a variety of classes tailored to different styles, age groups, and abilities.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – National Dance Day – Photo by Scott Smeltzer, courtesy of SCFTA public relations.
NDD will conclude with everyone joining in to learn the official and all-inclusive NDD routine. This year’s routine will be released soon!
Seating Info & Safety Precautions: Attendees should plan to bring their own folding chairs as these will not be provided by the Center. Refreshments will be available to purchase courtesy of George’s Café. Attendees are welcome to bring their own refreshments, however outside alcohol, glass containers, tables, barbecues, and food preparation will not be permitted on the Plaza.
Tickets for National Dance Day are free with Plaza Pass. You can sign up and learn more by clicking HERE. This free digital pass is for individuals 18 and up to access free events on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza all year long! Sign up once and no additional tickets or RSVPs are required. Once downloaded, your Plaza Pass lives in your Apple or Google Wallet and will be scanned upon entry by our ushers, it’s that easy! Individuals under 18 years old are welcome to accompany an adult in their household or another Plaza Pass holder as a guest or register for their own individual Plaza Pass in-person during a Plaza event.
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WHAT: NATIONAL DANCE DAY
WHERE: Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ Julianne and Geroge Argyros Plaza
WHEN: Saturday, September 21st, 2024 – 1:00PM – 5:00PM
TICKETS: Free with Plaza Pass. To get a Plaza Pass, please click HERE.
To learn more about the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, please visit their website.
Written and compiled by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle from the SCFTA Public Relations press release.
Featured image: Segerstrom Center for the Arts – National Dance Day – Photo by Scott Smeltzer, courtesy of SCFTA public relations.
