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M-NCPPC TO HOST COUNTY-WIDE DANCE PERFORMANCE IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL DANCE DAY

Riverdale, MD (July 16, 2010) – National Dance Day is a grassroots initiative that encourages the nation, young and old, to move! The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Department of Parks and Recreation is excited about the new initiative and the opportunity to bring people together through physical, recreational activity. M-NCPPC will join the Fox hit television show So You Think You Can Dance in celebrating National Dance Day by bringing together Maryland residents for an evening of dance education and a historic hip-hop dance performance.

The Department of Parks and Recreation, with the support of WPGC 95.5 FM, local government agencies, community organizations and dance groups, will host the National Dance Day Xplosion on Saturday, July 31, 2010 from 6-10 pm at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex (Sportsplex), 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD 20785. The event will bring together 1000+/- families in Prince George’s County and neighboring jurisdictions to learn popular styles of dance from hand-dancing to belly dancing to anything that moves. M-NCPPC is calling on all elected officials, community groups and youth organizations to partner with us for this great initiative, and we are inviting First Lady Michelle Obama!

“July is Parks and Recreation Month and National Dance Day is the perfect culmination event,” says Director of Parks and Recreation Ronnie Gathers. “This month we celebrate the vital role parks and recreation play in supporting health, wellness and fitness in our community. A county-wide dance program is a great way for residents to explore the programs and activities we offer at M-NCPPC.”

National Dance Day activities are presented by M-NCPPC’s award-winning Safe Summer program, which provides youth with safe, late-night recreation activities throughout Prince George’s County. Young people are invited to visit a Safe Summer site from July 19 - 30 to learn the National Dance Day routine, which will be performed at the Xplosion on July 31 for an unbelievable dance performance. Video of the routine is available at www.pgxtremeteens.com/dance and choreographers will be on-site at the National Dance Day event to help youth perfect the hip-hop act, which will be videotaped and may be televised.

“We are always seeking creative ways to get youth and teens involved in physical activity to combat childhood obesity,” says Parks and Recreation Deputy Director of Area Operations Debbie Tyner. “National Dance Day complements our efforts to get residents involved in recreational activities at young ages. As the largest recreation organization in Maryland, we are excited to lend our facilities and resources to such a fun initiative.”

Youth (ages 12-24) are invited to keep the fun going after the National Dance Day event at M-NCPPC’s Safe Summer facilities, which are open from 10 pm to 12 midnight from now until August 21 for activities like swimming, basketball, Nintendo Wii competitions and more.