SYTYCD Spotlight on Dizzy Feet Foundation

The Dizzy Feet Foundation is a non profit organization founded by So You Think You Can Dance Executive Producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe along with SYTYCD's Adam Shankman, Dancing with the Stars' judge Carrie Ann Inaba, and actress Katie Holmes. This quartet forms the founding members but also on board is an all-star cast of musicians, dancers, entertainers and choreographers. Their goal is to "support, improve, and increase access to dance education in the United States." On July 31 Dizzy Feet Foundation helps support National Dance Day and encourages all to get in on the fun.

The Mission of Dizzy Feet Foundation

According to the Dizzy Feet Foundation's mission statement their goals are threefold: to provide scholarships for dancers to attend accredited dance schools, to establish accreditations and standards for dance programs encompassing all disciplines and to assist in the development and maintenance of community dance programs for underprivileged children. Many programs supporting the arts are having difficulty surviving and they are often the first to go in schools across the US. The Dizzy Feet Foundation recognizes that talented children should be nurtured and that talent developed regardless of their financial status. It is the goal of the Dizzy Feet Foundation to provide opportunities to talented dancers who may need some extra financial assistance to grow in their craft.

Who is involved with Dizzy Feet Foundation?

The members who are involved in the Dizzy Feet Foundation read like a "who's who" in the entertainment industry. Co Presidents Nigel Lythgoe and Adam Shankman are joined by Vice Presidents Carrie Ann Inaba and Katie Holmes along with Secretary Mona Metwalli and Treasurer Mike Thompson. The Steering Committee consists of Paula Abdul, Debbie Allen, Cheryl Burke, Tyce Diorio, Ann Fletcher, Jason Gilkison, Mia Michaels, Mary Murphy, Shane Sparks and Christopher "Lil' C" Toler. The Honorary Steering Committee is comprised of Miley Cyrus, Simon Fuller, Jennifer Lopez, Jack Noseworthy, Desmond Richardson, Dwight Rhoden, Sergio Trujillo and Leslie Ann Warren.

National Dance Day

National Dance Day is July 31^st 2010. In celebration of this you can go to the Dizzy Feet Foundation website and watch a video of So You Think You Can Dance choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon "NappyTabs" Dumo's dance that is broken down for even novice dancers to pick up. Everyone is encouraged to learn it and to put their own spin on it. It is a perfect way for people to get involved and get started with a fun and easy to learn routine. SYTYCD is encouraging people to post in their forums on how you plan to celebrate National Dance Day. Throughout the SYTYCD episodes it is reiterated.

What I am doing for National Dance Day

I have already learned Tabitha and Napoleon's dance and am practicing it throughout the coming weeks. But, I have been dancing all my life so my dance challenge for National Dance Day is to teach it to a 2 year old and a 5 year old. It is a little slow going because their attention span is pretty short but it a fun experience. Surprisingly, the 2 year old seems to pick it up faster. When all is said and done we will video their final performance to see how close they come to picking up this fun routine. If nothing else, they will certainly gain a new appreciation for what is involved in dance.