National Dance Day celebration in Orange expands event

So You Think You Can Dance winner, Lauren Froderman to be featured

Dust off your dance shoes and start learning the official National Dance Day routine on YouTube. On July 30, head down to the Riverfront Pavilion for the 3rd annual National Dance Day event in Orange. What’s Happening Orange County? has partnered once again with the Orange Convention and Visitors Bureau to bring this fun, free, family event to Orange County. An hour has been added to this dance extravaganza because of its growth and a special celebrity dancer has joined the ranks.

Neighbors Emergency Center has come on as a sponsor bringing season 7 winner of “So You Think You Can Dance” Lauren Froderman, to headline the event.

“We are thrilled to add Lauren this year,” said event organizer, Penny LeLeux. “It started out two years ago as a desire to bring some fun to Orange County and it has doubled in the number of performance groups participating each year. We have over 12 groups planning to perform, that should be in the neighborhood of 200 dancers.

“‘So You Think You Can Dance’ is the show responsible for the start of National Dance Day,” said LeLeux. “With the addition of a winner from that show, we have the opportunity to truly turn this into a regional event.”

The main event will be held in the morning, 9 a.m.-noon at the Orange Riverfront Pavilion, 601 Division Ave. This year, besides traditional dance groups, belly dancing, Mexican folk dancing, Jazzercise, Taekwondo and more have been added to the mix.

Patrons have an opportunity to meet Froderman on a personal basis at a meet and greet at Orange Community Players, Inc. Theater, noon to 1 p.m. They will have the opportunity to get an autograph and take a picture for only $20. Half of the proceeds from the meet and greet go to the OCP Theater, so you can meet a celebrity and support the arts at the same time. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite and are limited in number.

That afternoon, at 2 p.m., dancers also have the opportunity to take a contemporary class with Froderman for only $30 at the West Orange-Stark Middle School Gym located at 1402 Green Ave, Orange, TX 77630. Dancers can register for the class now through Eventbrite. Register early, because if enough register by July 23, the class will be split into a separate intermediate and advanced class. Currently it is a combined class.

Due to the generosity of The Service League of Orange, there will also be a beginner class held for some boys and girls who may have never had the opportunity to take dance before. This class will be by invitation only to youth identified by area schools and other organizations.

“This is going to be an amazing opportunity for some kids who may have always wanted to take dance, but for financial reasons, were never afforded the opportunity,” said LeLeux. “Growing up as the oldest of six kids, dance classes weren’t in the equation, so I know what this could mean to someone.”

LeLeux is very excited about the event’s growth this year and is already working on plans to keep the momentum going for next year. “We are going to keep expanding it into the regional event I know it can be.

For more information email [email protected] or contact Brandy Judice at the Orange Convention and Visitors Bureau 409-883-1011. Event updates will be posted on octx.info and on the What’s Happening Orange County? Facebook page and events.