Charlotte National Dance Day Celebration to Draw Hundreds Uptown This Weekend

The Charlotte National Dance Day celebration will draw hundreds of people to Uptown on Saturday, July 30 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Plaza.

Blumenthal Performing Arts joins organizations nationwide in hosting free public dance events on this day to encourage healthy lifestyles through dance. The activities in Charlotte are made possible through the sponsorship ofCarolinas HealthCare System.

This year's lineup will include workshops in various styles of movement, offering classes for all experience levels. Instructors will also be on location to teach the National Dance Day choreographed routine, which will then be performed in coordination with all participating groups across the nation. Participants are welcome to drop by or stay for the entirety of the event.

"Nothing brings people together like music and dancing," said Blumenthal Education Programs Coordinator Kacy Southerland. "Where else can you see great local talent, learn new dance moves and find fun ways to be healthy, all for free? This year's schedule is shaping up to be an exciting mix of all ages and dances styles, and I can't wait to see what Charlotte brings to the dance floor."

Charlotte's National Dance Day celebration will be emceed by Time Warner Cable News Anchor Claudine Chalfant.

National Dance Day began under the direction of Nigel Lythgoe, Executive Producer of the hit television program So You Think You Can Dance. The event has grown to encourage active lifestyles of all people across the country with hundreds of groups dancing in the United States, including Blumenthal Performing Arts.

National Dance Day is part of the Blumenthal Arts WHIRL initiative, which encourages active community participation in the performing arts. In addition to hosting National Dance Day every year, WHIRL also encourages locals to give their artistic sides a "whirl" during open mic nights throughout the year.

In the event of rain, all activities will be moved inside to the Wells Fargo Atrium.

For more information on National Dance Day, visit BlumenthalArts.org.

Blumenthal Performing Arts serves the Carolinas as a leading cultural, entertainment and education provider. For more information, call (704) 372-1000 or visit BlumenthalArts.org. Blumenthal Performing Arts receives operating support from the Arts & Science Council and North Carolina Arts CounciL. Blumenthal Performing Arts is also supported by PNC Bank, sponsor of the PNC Broadway Lights, and by the generous aid of Carolinas HealthCare System.