International Dance Day

Touch the cosmos

the source of our divinity

illuminating

the face of the ancestors

so we can see our children

woven above beside below

unite all within

our flesh and bones

and memory

the Earth is turning

humans in mass migration

turtles gather in silent preparation

the heart is injured

make dance

a movement of love

a movement of justice

the light of truth

~Lemi Ponifasio~ (KARAKIA [Prayer])

International Dance day celebrates the birthday of the awe-inspiring creator of ballet, Jean-Georges Noverre. The celebration of this day has fallen on the 29th of April since the year 1982 initiated by the International dance committee of the UNESCO International Theater Institute. This day celebrates the universal art form represented by dance.

Almost every culture around the world has their own unique style of expression through rhythm, movement and music. Dance has played a very important part of my growing up and has acted as an outlet for my creativity and emotions. Most times it allows a person to be the best version of themselves.

Each year an outstanding choreographer from around the world. This year Lemi Ponifasio from Samoa and New Zealand was featured, he is the founder of MAU and has worked with communities around the world. MAU is a Samoan word that means a declaration to the truth of the matter, and dance could be described as a window to the truth within our selves. Lemi's message represents the spiritual aspect of dance and how it is binds us to earth. It is also signifies the connection between our creativity and our bodies.

Dance has also been featured in many different aspects of our lives. One way is the inclusion of dance in many of our exercise lives through Zumba and other forms. We also find dance to serve therapeutic purposes whether it be long term or short term stress relief. So hopefully you can dust the old dance shoes off and celebrate this day.