Do I need to pre-register or RSVP for the workshops I want to attend?
Nope. Just show up, ready to dance (and in some cases, dressed to sweat!) HOWEVER, please note that there are space limitations at a few of the locations. Admittance will be first come, first served, so we recommend that you arrive early to ensure that you will have a spot. You may sign in for a workshop up to 15 minutes before the class begins. Students may not sign in for multiple workshops in a row to ensure that new dancers who arrive also get a chance to join in. However, if space permits, you are absolutely welcome (and encouraged!) to take several consecutive classes at the same venue.
A volunteer will be monitoring check-in and capacity at each location. Space can sometimes get tight at indoors studios, however, we do not anticipate having any trouble accommodating dancers outdoors or at Plays & Players, where the evening events will also occur.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
We recommend bringing bottled water, it can get hot in July! There’s a water refill station at the Philly Dance Fitness studio, but the water fountains aren’t always turned on at Markward park, where the outdoor workshops will be held. Some people also like to bring a small sweat towel. If you have dance footwear, you should bring that, too:
You will be asked to sign a waiver and given a wristband before attending the workshops. Once you’ve signed the waiver, you only need to put down the last three digits of your wristband when you sign into subsequent workshops. Please keep the wristband on all day.
What should I wear?
For the daytime workshops, you can’t go wrong in fitness attire. It’s July and you’ll be moving – so even though there’s air conditioning at the indoor venues, you will likely sweat. For cardio dance workshops, we guarantee that you will get a workout so we suggest that you bring a change of clothes in case you want to freshen up later.
Partner dancing classes are much less strenuous, so streetwear (shorts/jeans and tshirts/tank tops, etc) is fine.
Can kids come, too?
Most of the workshops are geared toward teens and adults, but there are also some specifically for kids. A few others are open to all ages and children are welcome to attend:
All children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.I see there are several workshop venues. How do I get from one to another?
Where can I park?
This, of course, is the issue with driving in the city. None of the venues have parking lots, which means you will need to find street parking or pay for a lot if you decide to drive. Parking will be more difficult closer to the center of the city, however, you can sometimes get lucky finding spots on the weekend. Garage parking can range from $10 to $25.
Those attending the evening events at Plays & Players (1714 Delancey Place) should note that EZ Park and Central Parking operate several lots within a half mile of the building. You can print a coupon for discounted weekend rates at a few of the Central Parking lots.
Do I have to pay for any of this?
All of the workshops offered before 5 p.m. are completely FREE. To attend the performance showcase held at Plays & Players, there is a requested one-time $5-10 donation. This helps cover the cost of our volunteer-run event, which includes renting venues, printing promotional materials and purchasing refreshments to follow the evening showcase.
Can I support Dance Day beyond attending?
I live in the burbs. Are there Dance Day events closer to me?
I’m out of town the last Saturday of July. Will this happen again?
Probably! The first “National Dance Day” was held in 2010 and continued for 9 years on the last Saturday of July. In 2019, the foundation that initiated the national “holiday” decided to push it to the fall, but the Philadelphia event has become an entity of its own and remains in the summer for this year’s 12th anniversary.
Most of the organizations volunteering to lead classes during Philadelphia Dance Day also run ongoing group classes year-round, so you can take whatever classes fit your schedule, any time! The logos on the home page of this site link to the websites of each group, where you can find their respective class schedules.
Did you know that there’s also an International Dance Day, usually held on April 29, and a National Tap Dance Day held on May 25 every year? And you can’t forget about National Dance Like a Chicken Day on May 14.
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