NYC Dance Parade - Picture Post Card

The promotional pieces about the Dance Parade announced…

…150 dance groups will move down Avenue of the Americas, merging traditional and contemporary styles in an extraordinary fusion of movement and music. Dancers will showcase an array of genres from African, South American, Asian, and European traditions, alongside urban styles such as Majorette, Voguing, Breaking, Popping, and House as well as partner dances like Lindy Hop, Ballroom, Salsa, Hustle and Swing.

As accurate as this description of the 20th Anniversary NYC Dance Parade is, it does not even begin to convey the electricity of this dance explosion on the streets of New York City.

In the East Village, most of the parade watchers seemed unaware of the parade until it lured them from their weekend brunch tables to wave and applaud the performers from behind the barricades. Many bystanders seemed to be just waking up. A few came all decked out— ready to party.

Each group has their 40 seconds in the sun. They were each following a sound system being rolled ahead of them. The music would stop when they reached a MUSIC OFF sign. Beyond the visual splendor, this created a happy battle of the bands, or more accurately, a sound melting pot or music mosaic of the different demographics who came to regale us.

Walking westward along Astor Place we saw neighbors hanging out together on their brownstone steps. It’s the Village, and some houses are decorated with political signs.