At the annual Dance Parade and DanceFest

Photos by Stacie Joy

Let's head back to Saturday for some highlights from the 18th annual Dance Parade ... and post-parade DanceFest in Tompkins Square Park. 

Per organizers, there were some 10,000 participants and 100-plus styles of dance represented. (Side note: We did NOT see anyone doing The Aqua Velva or The Shugaloo.) 

EVG's Stacie Joy was stationed on Avenue A at St. Mark's Place as the parade came to a conclusion...

... and she was in and around Tompkins Square Park for the DanceFest that followed ...

DanceFest reinforcements

Photos by Steven 

In case you are attending or participating in today's DanceFest in Tompkins Square Park ... the city did bring in some additional porta-potties to handle the overflow (sorry) crowd...

We counted seven extra toilets, which, with the three existing comfort stations, brings the grand total to 10 for the day. 

As previously reported, the restrooms in the Tompkins Square Park field house are now closed as part of an 18-month renovation that has now reached the one-year mark.

The 18th Annual Dance Parade steps off on Saturday, ending in Tompkins Square Park

The 18th edition of the Dance Parade takes place this Saturday, winding up in Tompkins Square Park for the DanceFest. 

According to organizers, more than 10,000 participants —"representing a kaleidoscope of dance styles"  — will participate in the festivities starting at 11:30 a.m. on 17th Street and Sixth Avenue. 

The parade makes its way across Eighth Street to Astor Place, where there's a grandstand at St. Mark's Place, before ending in Tompkins where hopefully there will be more than three (unlocked) porta-potties for the thousands of people expected.

And here are details on the activities from 3-7 p.m.: 

The festivities culminate with DanceFest in Tompkins Square Park, offering a cultural extravaganza that's inclusive for everyone. Expect dance performances on two stages, site-specific acts, a DJ dance party, and free dance classes at The Joyce Theater's New York Center for Creativity & Dance offered by Grand Marshal Lil Buck, Mark Morris Dance Group and Peridance. Bring your dance shoes and rock out to disco DJs Tone Love, Misbehaviour, Kenny Parker, Ameer and a Soul Train set on the Social Stage. 

This is a rain-or-shine event, and the forecast looks pleasant enough RN, with overcast skies and temperatures in the 60s.

Friday's opening shots

Ahead of the Dance Parade and DanceFest taking place tomorrow (rain or shine!), someone decided to show his/her enthusiasm by knocking over all the barricades that the NYPD put up along the route on Avenue A ... thanks to EVG reader Joe for these photos. 

And read more about the parade here ... and here.

What you need to know about the 17th edition of the Dance Parade, happening on May 20

Organizers of the annual Dance Parade, one of the more (most?) festive East Village events of the year, released details about the 2023 edition happening on Saturday, May 20.

This year's grand marshals, Ronald K. Brown, Natasha Diggs and Elizbeth Streb, will kick off the event at 11:45 a.m. from a new starting location — 17th Street and Sixth Avenue (it was on Broadway and 20th last year). 

And more details via the EVG inbox:

At this year's parade and festival, Dance Parade will celebrate its 17th year under the theme "Beyond the Zone" with 10,000 dancers from 160+ dance organizations who will present over 100 unique styles of dance down Avenue of Americas, parade across West 8th Street, perform before the Grand Stand at St. Mark's Place before reaching Tompkins Square Park [for DanceFest]. 

If you want to dance in the parade or get involved and volunteer with Dance Parade, please register here.

You can relive part of last year's Dance Parade and DanceFest at this EVG link.

Watching the Dance Parade and DanceFest

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The Dance Parade was back on NYC streets yesterday afternoon... as more than a billed 10,000 dancers took part in the 16th iteration of the festival that includes the DanceFest in Tompkins Square Park. 

EVG contributor Stacie Joy was along the parade route on St. Mark's Place and in Tompkins Square Park... and shared these images that show the color and pagentry of the more than 130 participating groups of dancers...

Given the energy and enthusiasm, it was often hard to tell that the heat index was in the high 90s...