National Dance Day Wilkes-Barre, Saturday, July 31, 2-5 p.m., Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. After-party with dance-off, 6-9 p.m., Downtown Arts (47 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre). Admission to both Public Square and after-party are free, $10 entry fee for dance-off. Info: Facebook.com/dancedaywb or contact Jan Sokolowski at dancedaywb@gmail.com. For info concerning National Dance Day: fox.com/dance
No one can prove that Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign directly led to reduced drug use across the country, but statistics from the Reagan administration era do show that at least some teens were listening. The same will probably be said for First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign in a decade or so. Presently, however, a few inspired Wilkes-Barre residents are taking up the cause by bringing what is shaping up to be a dance party of epic proportions to Public Square.
Jan Sokolowski found out about the National Dance Day movement, and just two weeks ago began enthusiastically coordinating an event that would allow Wilkes-Barre to participate in the nationwide day of music, fun, community building, and, of course, dancing. In accordance with the nationwide event, the free National Dance Day Wilkes-Barre will be held Saturday July 31, from 2-5 p.m. on Public Square. An after-party and dance-off, from 6-9 p.m. at Downtown Arts, is also free, with a $10 entrance fee for a dance competition featuring cash prizes for the top three dancers.
As a former dancer and currently an event planner by profession, Sokolowski said via telephone last Saturday, “When I heard about this initiative, I thought, ‘I have to bring this free, fun, cultural event to downtown Wilkes-Barre.’”
The initiative, spearheaded by producers from the hit Fox television show “So You Think You Can Dance,” started out with having July 31 recognized this year as National Dance Day, and the network’s Web site and the show’s blog encourages communities to organize their own events on that day. Producers of the show have since combined their efforts with U.S. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington, D.C. to propose a bill to the House of Representatives that requests recognition of an annual National Dance Day. The three aims of House Resolution No. 1514 are summarized as: supporting nationwide dance education as a cultural and community builder, supporting the First Lady’s initiatives to combat childhood obesity, and the promotion of dance as an important form of physical fitness and artistic expression.
“Obviously, we are trying to support the First Lady’s efforts, but we are also trying to support local business in the process,” Sokolowski explained. Offering advertisement opportunities at low costs for businesses and choosing 2-5 p.m. on Public Square so that people can go shopping or have dinner locally after the event were both strategic choices for Sokolowski and the other event coordinators.
Another nod to local business is the giveaway of 500 backpacks donated by Futuristic Innovative Graphics and filled with items like coupons and flyers from a variety of local businesses. Following the theme of promoting community and physical well-being, one random lucky participant may receive the bag that also holds a one-year free membership to the YMCA. Bottled water will be provided to ensure all participants stay hydrated while dancing, and Sokolowski promised an eclectic selection of music to satisfy a spectrum of dancers, “from pop, to country, to polka, to hip-hop.”
The event’s main sponsor, Downtown Arts, home of Arts YOUniverse and the Dance Theater of Wilkes-Barre, will also play host to an after-party geared to 16-30 year-olds, as it will feature a dance-off with cash prizes and celebrity judges. The winner will receive a top cash prize of $250, as well as free entrance into an upcoming talent competition.
“Downtown Arts just moved to a new building, and nobody can really identify with who and where they are now, so we really want to showcase what that space has to offer by having the after-party there,” Sokolowski explained. She hopes that this event will tap into what she describes as “a huge underground dance scene” in the area, and the coordinators are hoping to get a large turnout from local dance studios.
“I wait for a wedding to be able to dance because I don’t like the whole bar scene around here,” she explains.
Sokolowski also sees this day as filling a void in Wilkes-Barre community events. In her travels as an event planner, she has seen the kinds of community arts events that other areas similar to Wilkes-Barre have to offer.
“I can’t believe how incredibly lacking we are in this type of an event,” she says. “We have Fine Arts Fiesta, and that’s great and we all enjoy it, but it’s kind of limited.” With its association with “SYTYCD” and the dance-off targeting a younger age group, she hopes that this will draw crowds of teens and families that the Fine Arts Fiesta and River Fest might not attract. However, she still stresses that people of all ages and musical persuasions are welcome.
Any donations above the operating cost of the event will go directly to the Dizzy Feet Foundation, an organization founded by “SYTYCD” producers and judges and promoted by actress Katie Holmes that helps underprivileged youth realize their dreams of becoming professional dancers while increasing dance education nationwide.
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