Dancers Get Into the Groove During National Dance Day

People came from all over Florida to get their groove on during Saturday's free National Dance Day celebration at Palm Harbor's .

One family drove all the way from Titusville. “My girls love 'So You Think You Can Dance,'" said Kim Fisher, who worked the family's vacation around the event. “This was the only place we could find in Florida celebrating National Dance Day.”

The distance was not a deterrent. The family loaded their vehicle with leotards and golf clubs and made the trek across the state. “We’ve been dancing and my husband has been golfing,” Fisher laughed, adding that her girls Carly and Samantha, "have probably danced about 15 hours this week.”

National Dance Day was created by Nigel Lythgoe, Executive Producer of the hit TV show, "So You Think You Can Dance" as a way to get people to experience the benefits of dance. Arthur Murray studio owner Lania Berger was inspired by Lythgoe. “I love the show and believe in what the day promotes, so I wanted to do my best to promote it in this area,” she said.

This was the second year for National Dance Day and the second year that the Arthur Murry Dance Studio has participated. The studio gave away free lessons in anticipation of the event. On the official FOX blog promoting the event, Arthur Murray was listed as the only studio in Florida officially participating.

Members of Port Richey's Lighthouse for the Blind also made the trek to Palm Harbor. Jamie Mick is president of the executive board of Lighthouse for the Blind and is a student at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio. She says the blind students took the free lessons in preparation for National Dance Day.

“It’s quite interesting for them to learn to dance, you can’t show them — they have to feel it,” said Mick. She said the kids “loved it,” even those who were initially a bit reluctant to dance. “The bottom line is that we want them to have fun on the dance floor and gain confidence, it’s not all about getting the moves right,” said Mick.

Studio owner Lania Berger is passionate about National Dance Day. “The power of dance is incredible,” she says, “A lot of people assume you have to be young and healthy to dance, but National Dance Day encourages everybody to try, you don’t need any equipment  — just music and creativity.”

The idea that dance is for everybody is what Berger wants people to remember. “Dance is relaxing, romantic, stimulating. I’ve had older people come in with dementia and it stops progressing as they work regularly at learning dance moves. I’ve seen marriages saved — it’s incredible. It’s fun and healthy,” she said. 

Arthur Murray Dance Studio is located at 34930 U.S. Hwy. 19 N. #34930, (727) 786-2224.