National Dance Day

For anyone who is not watching So You Think You Can Dance tonight, Nigel just announced that Eleanor Holmes Norton, DC's representative in the United States House of Representatives, is introducing a bill to make July 31st "National Dance Day."

National Dance Day will promote health and wellness through dance and will even feature a flash mob in DC's Malcom X Park.

Stay tuned for more details! Share your own plans for celebrating National Dance Day here.

Capital Fringe Festival

The 2010 Capital Fringe Festival begins tonight and lasts until July 25. The Fringe Festival (@CapitalFringe) was founded in summer 2005 with "the purpose of infusing energy into performing arts in the Washington DC region."

The Fringe Festival is known for attracting non-traditional audiences and for exposing people to local artists. There are a number of dance performances during the Festival. Some of the performances are free (who doesn't love free?) and most individual show tickets are $15. If you're really into Capital Fringe, you can buy a pass to the shows.

My suggestion: Make the most of the next two weeks, embrace the unusual and support Capital Fringe!

New DC Dance Studio

Kelly over at WelcomeOmDC had a great post this week about the BTI Dance Institute, coming soon to Logan Circle.

The BTI Dance Institute (@BTIdance) is going to offer adult classes in everything from classical ballet and modern dance to salsa and body conditioning. Apparently they will also have a nonprofit dance company headquartered in DC and a youth dance training program.

I need to get back into the studio again (it's been a month!) so I will definitely be checking out BTI once they're up and running. As many of you know, this girl doesn't like to leave the District. So I am absolutely psyched about this new dance studio.

Cheers and best of luck to the BTI Dance Institute. This city needs more dance!

DC Cowboys

The DC Pride Parade is one of my favorite events of the year. And the DC Cowboys are always my favorite part of the parade. They're incredibly attractive, they dance and they're always high-energy. What's not to like?

The DC Cowboys (@DCCowboys) dance company is an all-male performing arts organization for gay men in its 16th year. The Cowboys combine "traditional country-western with jazz, musical theater, cabaret dance" and did I mention how they're all in phenomenal shape?

You can book the DC Cowboys for events or be sure to check out the BRODEO on Saturday, June 19th at Town in the U Street neighborhood.

Want to learn how to dance like the DC Cowboys? They offer classes on Thursday nights from 7-8:30 p.m. Classes are held at the Church of the Pilgrims Fellowship Hall at 22nd and P. It's $100 for six classes and you can sign up online. Once you've learned the moves, all you'll need is a pair of cutoff jean shorts, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat. Go get it, par'ner!