Published: April 2020
Updated: August 2023
By: Kasya O'Connor Grant
Imagine the sweet melody of Whitney Houston’s “I Want To Dance With Somebody” or picture the brisk movement of Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in the classic film “Dirty Dancing.” Whatever it takes to get you in a dancing mood, do it, because…you guessed it… It’s National Dance Day!
Technically the official day of celebration is Saturday, September 16, 2023, but over the past decades Philadelphia has developed such a dynamic dance scene that participants and spectators now have a wide variety of ways to engage in the art form year-round. Within the Greater Philadelphia area there are more than 50 dance companies, series, festival, schools, studios and clubs to indulge your dance craving. Whether you are interested in ballet, modern, bharatanatyam, burlesque, hip-hop, tap, swing, jazz or ballroom, Philly’s dance scene is as diverse as it is bountiful.
Not sure where to start? We got you covered! Check out this list of the five ways to celebrate National Dance Day in the city!
Be sure to share your experience with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @Phillyfunguide!
1. Learn Modern Dance in the Smallest of Spaces
This online class focuses on the basic foundation of Modern Dance technique stressing alignment, strength, balance, and coordination within a fun and encouraging framework. Dancers will be given movement sequences to memorize and rehearse in class, and will also participate in choreography sessions in which the class will explore the art of making dance.
Doonya is a Bollywood-dance inspired fitness and media company, creating new media content around Bollywood music and building a student community around dance fitness. It offers an easy-to-follow cardio, strength-building fitness program perfectly choreographed to the latest high energy, Bollywood-inspired music.
Doonya is the first national brand to build a targeted fitness program around the phenomenon of high-energy Bollywood dance and music, targeting fitness lovers around the world.
Designed for the beginning to intermediate level student, this course introduces and expands on the basic principles of ballet Barre followed by a floor stretch. Dancers will gradually gain strength, flexibility, and technical precision as a result of their work in this course. This class is a wonderful partner to our Modern Dance program and is recommended for modern dancers ages 10 and up.
7 days a week of music, movement, dance, games, and good times on Facebook Live at 10am. Join in!
To find the live stream, like the Music Monkey Jungle Facebook Page and set notifications to automatic. The video will pop up when we go live. Or, on your personal page, go to the top left of the screen, click on watch, search for Music Monkey Jungle and the live stream will be among all of the live videos to choose from.
Join Arts Holding Hands and Hearts (AHHAH) every Thursday morning for Dance with Me with Katy! A kids-approved dance class that will get the whole family moving!