Dance Marathon Press Release
Dancing for our right to dance! A 24-hour DANCE MARATHON and PARTY to bring attention to a NYS Court appeal case regarding Cabaret Laws that restrict social dancing. The Marathon is from Noon Friday Feb 9 th to Noon Saturday Feb 10 th , immediately followed by a 2-hour Dance Party. Madison Square Park - R,W,F,V,6 Trains to 23 rd Street .
What:
New Yorkers of all stripes and colors want to show you their moves – and demonstrate that dance is a form of expression. Join Metropolis in Motion for a 24-hour DANCE MARATHON and DANCE PARTY.
When:
DANCE MARATHON : Noon to Noon , Friday, February 9, 2007 – Saturday, February 10, 2007
DANCE PARTY/RALLY: Noon – 2 pm , Saturday, February 10, 2007
Where:
DANCE MARATHON : Southwest side of Madison Square Park ( 23 rd Street & Broadway)
DANCE PARTY/RALLY: North side of Madison Square Park
Madison Square Park , across the street from the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, is the namesake park of Madison Square Garden, home to America 's first Dance Derby Marathon of 1928.
Who:
Artists, ravers, i-bankers, cheerleaders, lawyers, doctors, hip-hoppers, ballerinas, street performers, ballroom, swing, Irish folk and African dancers, jazz aficionados, waiters, actors, punk rockers and politicians along with a slew of your fellow New Yorkers. And that means YOU.
Why:
In 1926, New York City sought to limit interracial dancing and control “public lewdness.” To this end, the City established a Cabaret Law that limited dancing by more than three people to specially licensed venues. These antiquated laws are still on the books and enforced, preventing New Yorkers from simply dancing to their favorite tunes, whether rocking out in a local dive to a jukebox or waltzing in an elegant ballroom to Schubert. Club and bar owners can be fined and their businesses closed if they allow dancing in an unlicensed venue!
In 2005, attorneys Paul Chevigny and Norman Siegel brought a court case against the city on behalf of four dancers representing different social dance styles in an effort to challenge these laws. They argue that not only do the cabaret laws constitute a violation of due process for dancers who want to host events, but that social dance itself should be a protected expressive behavior under New York 's First Amendment – just like painting, music and stage dance.
The case was dismissed in Spring 2006 and an appeal is being heard February 1, 2007 . Metropolis in Motion , which held a popular and successful Dance Party near Mayor Bloomberg's home in July 2006, will be joined by numerous other dance organizations in hosting a 24-hour DANCE MARATHON followed by a DANCE PARTY and RALLY to bring citywide attention to the appeal case.
Dancing is NOT a Crime
New York , it's time to dance all night for your rights! Join us February 9 – 10, 2007
Contact:
www.metropolisinmotion.org
info@metropolisinmotion.org
(646) 365-3018