Posted: Thurs., Jul. 2, 2009, 1:25pm PT

Holmes, Lythgoe team for Dizzy Feet

Dance scholarship also backed by Adam Shankman

Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes rehearses for a Judy Garland tribute to air on 'So You Think You Can Dance.'

Nigel Lythgoe

Lythgoe

Nigel Lythgoe, co-creator and exec producer of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” has teamed with helmer Adam Shankman, “Dancing With the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inaba and thesp Katie Holmes to launch dance scholarship fund the Dizzy Feet Foundation.

Aimed at providing underprivileged youth the opportunity to participate in dance programs, the foundation also plans to award scholarships and grants to dancers, choreographers and teachers at accredited dance studios.

“I think it’s important for children to experience music and dance,” Holmes said. “Every child should have the opportunity to discover what it is they like and have access to the very best in that pursuit.”

Holmes plans to promote the org by performing a song-and-dance homage to Judy Garland during the 100th episode of “So You Think You Can Dance,” which airs July 23.

Lythgoe, who was an exec producer of “American Idol” for seven seasons, said the inspiration for the dance foundation came from his experience with the “Idol Gives Back” fundraising specials.

“I have been a dancer, and involved with the dance world, for nearly 50 years,” Lythgoe said. “It’s my passion.”

The foundation, which hopes to set national standards for dance education, has enlisted support from other celebs including steering committee members Paula Abdul, Debbie Allen, Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus and Lil C. Simon Fuller, the head of “Idol” and “Dance” producer 19 Entertainment, will serve on the org’s honorary board.




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