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dance was not considered an expressive form of art. This ruling meant that social dancing could no longer be protected by New York State’s first amendment freedom of expression clause. Greg Miller, founder and executive director of Dance Parade, gained support from elected officials in 2006 and obtained a parade permit to celebrate dance and demonstrate that all forms of dance were expressive. The first parade was held the following year in 2007. www.USAdance.ORG
As dancers, we [first] took part to support the freedom to dance, and to make sure ballroom dance was represented in the parade. Over time, Dance Parade has become more about celebrating the many cultures of New York City as expressed through dance...”
Over the years the number of the Greater New York chapter’s group of parade participants has grown. Holohan said, “The shirts are the same. The group’s gotten somewhat larger.” Chen said, “As dancers, we [first] took part to support the freedom to dance, and to make sure ballroom dance was represented in the parade. Over time, Dance Parade has become more about celebrating the many cultures of New York City as expressed through dance. We have been proudly representing ballroom and USA Dance as the Greater New York Chapter from 2007 to the present.”
2013 September - October
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