Come celebrate National Dance Day in Picayune
Published 10:15 am Friday, July 25, 2014
The first National Dance Day will be held in Picayune on Saturday at Jack Read Park. The event will be a chance for local dancers, or those interested in starting in dance, to show their stuff. The event is being coordinated in part on by E. Jae James, pictured top left, and a number of other local organizations, including the Greater Picayune Arts Council.
This weekend, dancers of all ages are invited to show off their talents at Picayune’s first celebration of National Dance Day.
E. Jae James, owner of X-Finity Dance Academy and member of the Greater Picayune Arts Council, is the founder of the non-profit Dance Arts Dance program and one of the coordinators of this event. The intent is to make the event an annual celebration locally.
Nigel Lythgoe, “So You Think You Can Dance” co-creator and Dizzy Feet Foundation co-president, began the event in 2010, James said.
“It’s a national holiday that promotes appreciation for dance,” James said. “It’s a day for everyone to come together and learn.”
National Dance Day is a national event that takes place annually on the last Saturday in July, James said. According to the Dizzy Feet Foundation website the event is a way to promote dancing as a fun way to exercise and combat obesity.
James said participants will learn beginner and advanced routines and the dances will be recorded and uploaded to the “So You Think You Can Dance” Facebook page.
“I want to promote art appreciation here in Picayune,” James said. “Lots of (the) time talented singers, dancers and other artists get overlooked. I want to bring the focus to them.”
The event will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Jack Reed Park on Goodyear Boulevard.
Dancers of all ages are welcome to participate. The event will also feature dance games, food and fun, James said.
Event participation is free. Food and snacks will be available for purchase. All concession proceeds will benefit the non-profit Dance Art Dance grant and scholarship program, James said.
“Dance Art Dance will provide scholarships to hardworking dancers,” James said, “as well as grants to public schools in order to help further students’ education in dance and the arts.”
Event partners include Dance Art Dance, Greater Picayune Arts Council, Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce and Stewart Insurance Agency, LLC.
X-Finity Dance Academy is located at 1421 Goodyear Blvd.
For more information, visit the website at www.xfinitydance.com, on Facebook at X-Finity Dance Academy or call 601-606-0622.
Registration is open but space is limited, James said.
Learn more about National Dance Day at www.dizzyfeetfoundation.org.
