SEATTLE, WA (June 20th, 2011)—On July 9th, 2011, from 6:03pm to 10:17pm, Seattle neighbors will dance under the stars in a multicultural/multigenerational dance party/potluck held in the Union Gospel Mission’s parking lot. The event, free to the public, will include mini-lessons on various dances, including line dancing, hip-hop, West African Dance, Hawaiian, Jewish, Latin and others, followed by all-out dancing. The project is a collaboration between several diverse Seattle organizations to build community and celebrate diversity.
This will be the third World Dance Party planned since November. The idea for the event surfaced at an Aging Your Way Gathering, organized by Senior Services. The gathering is part of a project designed to capture people’s input on an ideal community for everyone to grow old in, as well as inspire citizens to actions to improve their neighborhoods. One theme that arose was the lack of connections between elders and young people, and between neighbors of different ethnicities.
“So often we attend multicultural shows to watch the amazing dances,” says Sabrina Jones, the chair of the planning committee, “World Dance Party, however, is about actually dancing and movement and connecting to people. And lots of food!”
The last World Dance Party, held at Central Area Senior Center in April, attracted over 160 attendees of all different ages and backgrounds. The clap-clap sounds of Filipino tinikling poles were followed by a spirited West African dance circle, Chicago-style stepping, a group of feisty line-dancing seniors doing the Slap-Leather, and the whole room grooving to the fast beats of a mix of Latin dances.
The group recently received a $5,000 grant from the Neighbor to Neighbor Fund to organize the next four World Dance Party events. The next dance will be outdoors in the Union Gospel parking lot (at 3800 S Othello St.) in celebration of summer. The event is free of charge and open to the whole family. Please bring a dish to share. Please contact the chair, Sabrina Jones, if you would like to volunteer at the event.
The Dance Party is a collaboration between Afro-Moves Learning Institute, Central Area District Council, Central Area Senior Center, Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC), Filipino Community of Seattle, Grace United Methodist Church, International Drop-In Center, International Examiner, Latino Senior Information and Assistance, Rainier Chamber of Commerce, ReWA, SeaMar, Seattle Neighborhood Group, Seattle Union Gospel Mission, Senior Services, Southeast District Council, Vietnamese Friendship Association, and funding from the Neighbor to Neighbor Fund.
Contact: Sabrina Jones
[email protected]
206.268.6702
