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We thought we would start the year off right by giving you a list of the days that recognize the dance arts. Ladies and gentlemen get your pencils and day organizers ready...here we go!
World Tutu Day - February 2
Originating in Australia, International Tutu Day is a special day celebrated by dancers around the world. It is a day to support ballet education and celebrate the world of ballet. Several organizations use World Tutu Day as an opportunity to raise funds to support ballet schools and programs. So on February second put on your favourite tutu and wear it all day in celebration...even to the grocery store...we dare you.
International (World Dance Day) - April 29
Dance Day has been celebrated by dancers all over the world every year since
1982 when it was initiated by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute.
The event takes place every year on 29 April, which is the anniversary of the birth of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727–1810), the creator of modern ballet.
The main purpose of International Dance Day is to attract the attention of the wider public to the art of dance. Although, at Rhythm, we think everyday is dance day, we use April 29 as an excuse to dance just a little harder and a little longer than usual.
National Dance Week (U.S.) - dates vary but usually in late April or early May
National Dance Week was formed when a group of dance organizations began a strong movement to bring greater recognition to dance. In 2011 National Dance Week Foundation was established with its purpose of introducing as many people as possible to the benefits of dance.
Tap Dance Day - May 25
National Tap Dance Day became official in 1989 when it was signed into American law by President Bush. Sharing the birthday of Bill Bojangles Robinson (May 25) it is a celebration of tap dance as an art form. Though its only official observance was the year it was signed into law, Tap Dance Day still continues to be celebrated all over the world. We would also like to note that we tap dance almost everyday in the Rhythm studio, even when it is not International Tap Dance Day and none of us are professionally trained.
National Dance Day- celebrated on the third Saturday in September
Launched in 2010 by “So You Think You Can Dance” co-creator and American Dance Movement cofounder Nigel Lythgoe, and congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. National Dance Day is an annual celebration dedicated to dance. National Dance Day shows support for dance as a valuable form of exercise and of artistic expression. It is also intended to educate the public about dance and its many benefits, as well as make dance accessible and inclusive to everyone.
World Ballet Day- celebrated every year in October (This year is Oct 1, 2022)
World Ballet Day is a celebration of ballet and is also a chance for people to see top ballet companies in a way they might never have seen before.
In October, 2014 five of the the world’s leading ballet companies: The Royal Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, The Australian Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet, joined together to stream rehearsal footage for a worldwide audience over a period of 20 hours. Each company uses the day to showcase their work, their performances and the backstage prep that most people never get to see.
World Ballet Day also helps to shed light on the role of ballet and the life of dancers and what it takes to reach the very highest level of the dance.
Here is just a quick list of some of the important dates to mark on your calendar this year. Did we miss any?
The staff at Rhythm highly suggest that you don't wait for a special day and just celebrate dance every darn day this year. We know we will be.
Thank you to the amazing local dancers photographed for sharing your time, talent and artistry with us.
@Photography by Tonya Wanner Photography.