ABOUT
Dance On Philly was created during this “new normal” world to solve a very specific problem:
How to raise funds and awareness for vital non-profits that keep music in our schools and keeps our kids dancing?
While the answer was simple, “We’ll create a virtual dance party fundraiser!”… But the execution of this idea was a challenge and only led to even more questions:
- How can we bring our city together and fully connect despite being physically apart?
- How can we give jobs to local artists and small business owners to help create this event?
- How can we use an empty iconic Philly venue and fill it with joy and hope? And broadcast that out live?
- How can we do the Philly Shuffle Soul Train Line Dance in a socially distant way?
We feel like we answered all those questions and more and are proud to share all about Dance On Philly below. See also the
for an order of events and the
to sign up or donate.
IT'S A SHOW
The show was inspired by the great dance shows that came before it – from our very own American Bandstand (and Dancin’ On Air!) to the national treasure that was Soul Train. That’s the best way to envision this Philly version – shot entirely live at Philly’s fabled Fillmore and hosted by Lauren Hart, Zeek Burse, Alex Mitnick, Cosmo Baker, and Kim Landle, and featuring dozens of local celebrities and live dancers that will drop by to “show us their moves” or even dance along with our socially distant soul train line.
The show has two sets: The early show is our Family Dance Party and the later show is the main event Turn It Up – Philly’s Dance and DJ world on display
IT'S A DANCE
While you can dance throughout the show, there is also a one-hour free-style uninterrupted dancing hour after each set. The first one – We are Family and the second The Sounds of Philly – all spun live, diced, cut and broadcasted directly to your living room by Philly’s own Cosmo Baker and his team of dancers.
IT'S A VIRTUAL NIGHTCLUB
Both the show and the dance can be viewed and experienced in Club Inclusion – a virtual zoom-like dance club that has several dance floors. In the virtual space, participants can dance on an open floor with the general crowd or reserve a private room in advance and spend the night dancing with friends, family, school, or co-workers.
OUR CAUSES
About Musicopia
Musicopia’s mission is to provide opportunities for children to experience, learn, perform, and appreciate music. Since its founding 1974, Musicopia has helped more than 345,000 children experience the benefits of first-hand exposure to the arts, and is a recognized leader in rebuilding and revitalizing school music programs. Musicopia reaches thousands of children each year in the Delaware Valley through in-school music education, a string orchestra program, a drumlines program, and its Gift of Music Instrument Donation Program. Musicopia places a priority on reaching students who are underserved and cut off from the region’s rich cultural life. Through its high-quality programs, Musicopia aims to give all children, regardless of circumstances, the opportunity to have their lives transformed by music. For more information visit www.musicopia.net.
About Dancing Classrooms Philly
Dancing Classrooms Philly’s mission is to foster self-esteem, social awareness and joy in children by providing the opportunity to learn and perform ballroom dance through school residencies, a Saturday Academy program, and our Allstars. Through our ballroom dance instruction, we help to improve the climate of school communities across the Philadelphia region by building confidence in students, breaking down social barriers, and inspiring respect for all individuals. We envision transformative arts programs in all school communities that nurture creativity, build confidence, and promote a culture of mutual respect and well-being. For more information, please visit www.dancingclassroomsphilly.org.
PRODUCED BY
