"The whole idea is that anyone can dance and everyone should dance because it's a wonderful thing to do and a great way to stay healthy and build community. And it's a great way to express yourself, too," said organizer Deborah Hirsch.
Philadelphia Dance Day will feature 16 free dance workshops at several locations around the city, including children's classes, adult ballet, African jazz, salsa, Zumba, and, for the more adventurous, a coed pole-dance fitness class. All classes are open, but RSVPs are suggested for several because of limited space.
The evening social dance party will begin with a Zumba party and lessons in samba, fox-trot, and salsa. While that event is free, organizers are asking partygoers to consider making a $5 donation to support this year's event and those in the future.
"The truth is, I would make this even bigger if I could," said Hirsch, a freelance dance-fitness instructor. "It's just me and my husband putting this together with the help of these teachers who have volunteered their time and space.
"But we hope next year will be even bigger. It's really a labor of love for all of us because we want to get people moving. That's the most important thing."
Hirsch teaches in locations around the city under the name Philly Dance Fitness, and her classes range from aqua dance to Zumba. She said she decided to start Philadelphia Dance Day last year after hearing that the popular television dance competition show So You Think You Can Dance was starting National Dance Day.
"I just thought it was a great idea, and they also had routines online that people could learn and teach in their communities," said Hirsch, who decided to do more than just teach the television show's routines. She also called people she knew in the Philadelphia dance community to help. Their responses surprised her; they all said yes.
