Dance Day
Click here for the Dance Day official website
The official message for
Dance Day
29 April 2013
In 1973 a group of people from several countries gathered within the Palais de l'UNESCO in Paris to found the International Dance Council. A world-wide organization for the art of Music existed since many years, as well as another one for Theater, so it was natural to think that Dance should have its own highest body.
The founding fathers and mothers were active in ballet and modern dance, so subsequent members continued to be distinguished dancers, choreographers and dance teachers from these areas, mainly Europeans. Famous German choreographer Kurt Jooss was elected as President.
Much later, starting from 1999, membership was opened to personalities from other forms of dance: traditional, contemporary, tango, Indian, therapeutical, Oriental etc. Now one can say that CID is truly representative when it comes to dance idioms, geographical areas and functions. Scholars constitute a high proportion: university professors, holders of doctor's degrees, authors of dance books, researchers. Organizations such as federations, unions, university departments, associations or regional groupings remain as the most important category of members.
The CID portal is a useful tool for anyone in the industry; it contains the full list of members, as well as books they have authored and magazines they publish. The most commonly used feature is the Global Dance Directory containing over 300,000 dance professionals in 200 countries, a unique achievement among all the arts and sciences. Dance Day is the most well-known program, celebrated in every part of the globe.
Every professional active in dance is invited to apply for membership, candidates are admitted after evaluation of their profile or after nomination by another member. The number of members grows constantly, as a proof of vitality and openness.
Dance Day 2013 is dedicated to the 40th anniversary of CID. The stronger CID becomes the more dancers will feel united and empowered.
Alkis Raftis
President of the International Dance Council CID
UNESCO, Paris
1. The official message for Dance Day is mailed to over 100,000 dance professionals in 200 countries. It is translated to dozens of languages. Please ask for a translation, or translate the message to the language of your country; send it to dance organizations and the media. You can find guidelines and previous messages at www.cid-portal.org
2. World Dance Day, every year on 29 April, established in 1982 and promoted by CID, aims at attracting attention to the art of dance. It is celebrated by millions of dancers around the globe. On that day, dance companies, dance schools, organizations and individuals, professionals as well as amateurs, organize an activity addressing an audience different from their usual one.
3. The International Dance Council is the official organization for all forms of dance in all countries of the world.
- CID is recognized by UNESCO, national and local governments, international organizations and institutions.
- Its members are the most prominent federations, associations, schools, companies and individuals active in dance in more than 150 countries.
- CID was founded in 1973 within the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where it is based.
- UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
International Dance Council - CID - Conseil International de la Danse
UNESCO, 1 rue Miollis, FR-75732 Paris, France
www.cid-portal.org
Visit the official website for Dance Day
https://sites.google.com/site/dancedayofficialsite/
and send announcement of your event to be posted there
Ask for the CID logo to be sent to you, to be used for Dance Day events
Dance Day preparations
On the 29th of April, as every year since 1982, the official Dance Day will be celebrated all over the world by millions of dancers. It is an initiative of the International Dance Council CID, UNESCO.
We have prepared the following guidelines as a checklist for persons active in the wider field of dance: teachers, choreographers, group leaders, journalists, researchers, associations, suppliers, organizations etc.
Object
The main purpose of Dance Day events is to attract the attention of the wider public to the art of dance. Emphasis should be given to addressing a “new” public, people who do not follow dance events during the course of the year.
Events
Dance Day events may be special performances, open-door classes, public rehearsals, lectures, exhibitions, articles in newspapers and magazines, dance evenings, radio and TV programs, visits, street shows, parades, shop window decorations etc.
Organizers
Events are primarily organized by dance companies, amateur groups, schools, associations and other institutions active in dance. Wherever possible, it is better for events to be organized jointly with a non-dance institution such as a government agency, a public school, a municipality, a business enterprise, a trade union.
Content
Organizers have full freedom to define the content of the event.
Make sure that you include general information on the art of dance, its history, its importance to society, its universal character. This can be done in a short speech, a note in the program, a text distributed to those present. By adding this dimension you make the event different from dance activities taking place any other day.
Read a message from a prominent personality, a poem, a passage from a text by a famous author.
Coordination
In order to achieve maximum success, it is important that preparations start early enough.
It is imperative to inform the press and generally the media about your event.
Notify an organization holding a central position at regional or national level, which should publish a list of events planned for Dance Day.
Entrance to events should preferably be free, or by invitation. Invite persons who do not normally attend dance events.
Location
At best, events should take place in “new” places, such as streets, parks, squares, shops, factories, villages, discotheques, schools, stadiums etc.
By setting the event in original surroundings you stress the fact that this is an event dedicated to the universal family of dancers.
Dr. Alkis Raftis
President of the CID
1. The official message for Dance Day is mailed to over 150,000 dance professionals in 200 countries. It is translated to dozens of languages. Please ask for a translation, or translate the message to the language of your country; send it to dance organizations and the media. You can find guidelines and previous messages at www.unesco.org/ngo/cid
2. World Dance Day, every year on 29 April, established in 1982 and promoted by CID, aims at attracting attention to the art of dance. It is celebrated by millions of dancers around the globe. On that day, dance companies, dance schools, organizations and individuals, professionals as well as amateurs, organize an activity addressing an audience different from their usual one.
Ideas for Dance Day
Every year, millions of dancers around the globe celebrate World Dance Day on 29 April. Initiated in 1982 and coordinated by CID, it is not linked to any particular form of dance.
Further to our documents "Dance Day Preparations" and the "Annual Official Message", here is a list of ideas for this special day. We want to make sure that more and more persons on the planet will practice dance, watch dance or think dance.
1. Performances
Stage a performance, not the same as you would have presented another day, but a different one. Change the content of the performence, or the venue, or the way you advertise it, or the persons who execute it.
2. Classes
Teach in a different way: hold non-stop open-door classes, teach to new people (very young, very old, impaired, passers-by etc.), in new locations (kindergarten, supermarket, factory, prison, hospital, ship, barracks etc.).
3. Lectures
Explain dance: people are used to watching dance or dancing themselves, but they very rarely think of dance. Speak to them about it, or invite speakers from various areas (historians, writers, journalists, painters, musicians, politicians, religious etc.) to speak about dance.
4. Exhibitions
You can exhibit collections of costumes, photographs, accessories, postcards, postage stamps, posters, books etc.
5. Articles
Write an article and send it for publication to a magazine or a newspaper. Ask a journalist to write an article with you, presenting your work and your ideas.
6. Programs
Cooperate with a TV or radio station to produce a program.
7. Parades
Parades are very popular and mobilize crowds to watch. There are of three kinds: a) Ensembles advance more or less continuously while dancing. b) They dance for a few minutes, then they advance all together, then they dance again, c) They dance on platforms drawn by cars. Sections of the CID cooperate with municipalities to organize parades or other events.
8. Decorations
Public places are decorated around the theme of dance. Private places too, such as shop windows or building fronts - you can ask shop owners to take part in a competition for the best decoration.
Dr. Alkis Raftis
President of the CID
UNESCO, Paris