Cast of Hairspray joins National Dance Day in Southeast Texas
Published 8:34 pm Friday, July 6, 2018
To The Leader
Port Arthur Little Theater (PALT) cast of “Hairspray” will be joining the 5th annual National Dance Day of Southeast Texas, July 28 at Edison Plaza, 350 Pine Street in Beaumont.
“We are excited PALT wants to share some of their dance numbers with us during their opening weekend,” said Penny LeLeux, organizer for National Dance Day. “That’s a little something special for our 5th anniversary, plus Lauren is returning to lead the official dance day choreography.” She is referring to Lauren Froderman, the winner of “So You Think You Can Dance” season 7. This will be Froderman’s 3rd year to attend the local event.
“Lauren is a phenomenal guest and teacher,” said LeLeux. “Area dancers are excited about her return.” Froderman will be teaching contemporary dance classes later that day for a nominal fee.
Southeast Texas is one of only four events currently listed on the Dizzy Feet Foundation’s registry of events, with the next closest one being in Austin.
The first three years, the event was held in Orange, at the Riverfront Pavilion, but the extreme heat necessitated a move indoors. Due to a series of unforeseeable events, the decision was made last year to move it to Beaumont. Harvey’s damage to Orange venues is keeping it in Beaumont this year.
“Edison Plaza is going to give the event a beautiful backdrop,” said LeLeux. “I want to thank G&G Enterprises and the Green Light Kitchen for sponsoring the facility for this year’s event and the Holiday Inn on Walden Road for sponsoring lodging for Lauren.”
Things kick off with a free event from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. which is a combination of dance performances from area dance groups, line dances and mini classes in various styles such as Belly Dance and Salsa, for all ages, plus a tutorial of the official National Dance Day choreography.
“We’ve added another hour and possibly more, this year, because the event continues to grow,” said LeLeux. Her goal is to grow it into a regional event, possibly even one day, to take more than a day to contain it. “I want to encompass as many forms of dance as possible, drawing from all communities.
“Last year, I broke down and cried for 20 minutes, when I realized the enormous uniting capabilities dance has,” said LeLeux. “When there is so much in the world dividing us, dance unites us. On the dance floor, nobody cares what your politics are, what your color is, what your capabilities are…there is just joy, in the dance.”
On a side note, how cool is it that “Hairspray” joins us this year and the plot of “Hairspray” is about unification through dance, too.
A few sponsors are still needed to cover expenses, including sponsors for youngsters that normally don’t have the funds to take dance classes, to take a beginner class with Lauren, later that day.
Limited vendor booths are available.
The Green Light Kitchen will be open with a limited menu that day for lunch. Starbucks at Edison Plaza is also expected to be open during the event.
For information on booth availability, to have your dance group perform at the event or for sponsorship forms, e-mail:pgleleux@gmail.com. For updated event info check out the 5th National Dance Day in SETX Facebook event or the National Dance Day page on http://octx.info.
