Dancin' in the Streets - NY Dance Parade 2011

This is the second year in a row that I have quite serendipitously happened upon the New York Dance Parade en route to the Union Square Greenmarket. I was in the subway passage at Union Square, about to exit, when I heard--and felt--the pulsating sounds of house music above me. Walking up the steps, I turned to look up Broadway to see a mix of people on a float - Tom & Zach Get Married - pink chapel, pink haired people dancing under the hot sun.

I couldn't decide if this was their after-party and was partly hoping it was--they just looked so into "the scene."

I love this city. I love these truly New York moments. I loved that I was experiencing a club atmosphere on the streets of Manhattan - happily recalling some of my well-spent college days club-hopping (I still miss The Red Zone). Following Tom & Zach were groups like Sisters in Motion, women dancing on old school roller-skates; pole dancers; the "Fully Focused Dance Group," which was a group of kids, essentially, boogeying down to the Black Eyed Peas; the KC Marching Falconers - which resembled a high school marching band--sans the instruments but with plenty of rhythm; a Jamaican Dance Hall Group.

Young, old, gay, straight, black, white, Hispanic and more--this parade is small--and I gather relatively unknown (at least I keep missing the memo on it). I did a bit of research and learned it's in its fifth year and showcases 74 forms of dance.

The description on its website made me smile:

The parade route starts on 21st street.  In honor of the earthquake victims, the parade will kick off with a Japanese Group.  We will then progress in the history of dance order and boogie our way down Broadway-- Hula, swing and samba our way past Union Square and into University Place. At Eighth Street we will Salsa, Tango and Waltz East into Saint Marks Place and our Grandstand in between 3rd and 4th Aves. Our House, Techno and Disco floats will have afternoon shoppers wigglin as they watch us get down in the heart of the East Village. A straight shot from there brings us to DanceFest in Tompkins Square Park.  At DanceFest we will come together and watch free dance performances on stage and at specific sites throughout the park--Free dance lessons are offered or you can enjoy a Dance Party.

Our mission is to promote dance as an expressive and unifying art form by showcasing all forms of dance, educating the general public about the opportunity to experience dance and celebrate the diversity of dance. 
For more information on how we’re changing the world through dance, click here for a downloadable overview. Come check out who’s already registered. Is there a dance you don’t see?  Is there a group that should be apart of this? Get them to join us!

I revelled in the joy--you can't not with such fanfare and celebration around this discipline.

The parade ended with Pacha, one of the house music floats. When the music died, it was as if we (inadvertent club goers) were dispersing from a good night "on the floor," as Jennifer Lopez would say.