Have Fun! Be Healthy! Dance, Dance, Dance!

Do you like to dance? Whether you take classes in tap or ballet or have tried to imitate your favorite music star, the Rockettes, or the performers from Riverdance; dancing is fun! How about trying the moonwalk or the electric slide, and don't forget about the hokey pokey or the hand jive. It's easy! You can try square dancing or swing dancing, break dancing or the polka, salsa or ballroom dancing. Any of these dances are great for staying active, meeting new friends or hanging out with old ones, or just having a fun time.

Now is the time to learn a new step or improve on an old favorite because on April 20 - April 29, we celebrate National Dance Week! National Dance Week was created in 1981 by a group of people from the dance organizations Capezio, Dance Magazine, and Dance Teacher Now. These groups wanted to motivate the public to participate in events that focused on dancing. In addition to reminding people that dancing is a great way to have fun and exercise, these groups started National Dance Week because they hoped to increase the awareness that dancing has brought to our culture and taught us about other cultures!

There are many ways you can celebrate National Dance Week, and whether you do it by yourself or with your family and friends, here are a few ideas:

• Have a dance party with your friends.
• Practice dancing to your favorite music in your room.
• Take dance lessons.
• Join a dance club.
• Watch a dance recital for inspiration.
• Interpret a story into dance moves.

Here are some hints for turning your favorite story into a dance. After reading the story you want to turn into a dance, ask yourself:

1. What does the story mean to you? Was it heroic, inspirational, happy, exciting, sad, etc.?
2. Who do you want to be from the story? Do you want to be the main character or someone else from the story?
3. Where does the story take place? In a house, in the forest, in a castle, in a school, etc.?
4. How does the story make you feel? Do you feel happy, sad, frightened, comforted, etc.?
5. Pick the music to go with your story and dance. Will the music have a fast beat or a slow beat? Will it be a country song or a classical piece, like something from Mozart?

Once you have gone through the questions above, try to put together a dance based on your understanding of the story. Use your imagination! Remember, this is supposed to be fun!

To learn more about National Dance Week or dancing, go to any one of the links below:

• National Dance Week
• National Dance Week Kid's Page
• Dancing With Cats
• Kids Dancing
• Dancing Word Search