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Tourism, Culture and Recreation
April 28, 2011

Residents Encouraged to Get Their Groove on for International Dance Day

As part of International Dance Day tomorrow (Friday, April 29), Dance Newfoundland and Labrador (DanceNL) is challenging all residents to Dare to Dance by taking five minutes out of the day to celebrate the joy of movement in their own way. International Dance Day is recognized by UNESCO.

The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today acknowledged DanceNL’s involvement in this annual event.

“The Provincial Government supports activities that promote healthy lifestyles and artistic endeavours, like DanceNL’s initiative to encourage participation in International Dance Day,” said Minister French. “We’ve provided support to DanceNL through the Cultural Economic Development Program to help them develop useful and creative programming for members over the long term.”

DanceNL was officially founded in 2009 as a direct response to the province’s dance community, which identified that there was a clear need in Newfoundland and Labrador for a sectoral dance association to assist with networking and advocacy.

“International Dance Day is meant to celebrate dance in all its forms, and we are certainly seeing that in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Kristin Harris Walsh, President of DanceNL. “Dance is something that can be enjoyed by everyone. Through our Dare to Dance, Random Acts of Dance, and Flash Mob activities this week, we hope to engage the public and promote the joy of dance as part of a healthy lifestyle. DanceNL is grateful to the support we receive from the Provincial Government. It's because of that support, and the support of the local dance community, that we have been able to build towards events such as Dance Week.”

Supported by the Provincial Government’s Cultural Economic Development Program in 2010-11, DanceNL received $10,000 to assist with activities related to membership recruitment, promotion and awareness, future opportunities, and website development.

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador provides $200,000 to the Cultural Economic Development Program for increased support to community-heritage groups and volunteers, and increased operational funding for key heritage attractions. With the addition of the 2011 contribution, the total annual Provincial Government investment in the program is $2.9 million.

CEDP applications are considered based on the strength of the business plans, vision, and potential development within the sector. For more information on the program and application guidelines for the arts and culture sector, visit: www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/artsculture/cedp/index.html

For more details about International Dance Day and DanceNL, visit: www.dancenl.ca/

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Media contacts:

Diana Quinton
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 631-8155
DianaQuinton@gov.nl.ca 
Kristin Harris Walsh
President
DanceNL
info@dancenl.ca 

2011 04 28             1:55 p.m.

 
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