Dance Parade Inc

Help Us Bring the Spirit of Bellydance & Palestinian Culture to Dance Parade NYC

Dear friends, family, and community,

My name is Janelle Issis, founder of JBelly School of RAQ and director of the JBelly Jewels. For the past eight years, I’ve had the honor of collaborating with Dance Parade New York — a beautiful non-profit organization that celebrates cultural diversity through dance and provides free dance education to NYC public schools.

On May 16, 2026, over 10,000 dancers will move through the streets of New York City in the 20th Annual Dance Parade — the largest dance event in the city — sharing more than 100 styles of dance with an audience of 100,000+ spectators.

And this year, we are bringing Bellydance and Palestinian culture to that stage in a powerful way.

Why This Matters

As a Palestinian-American artist, this is deeply personal to me.

Dance has always been how I connect to my roots. It is how I honor my heritage. It is how I build bridges.

Through JBelly School of RAQ, we celebrate Middle Eastern music, culture, body positivity, and the transformative joy of movement. Our parade float becomes more than a performance platform — it becomes a moving celebration of culture, unity, and love.

What We’re Fundraising For

In order to make this vision come to life, we are raising funds for:

• A 32-foot parade float for live dance performances
• Professional audio system (Honda 3000 watt generator, self-powered speakers, fuel)
• Custom decorations and cultural signage
• Studio rental space for rehearsals (in-person + online)
• Parade day needs: rehearsal space, props, snacks, water, safety logistics

Every detail helps us create a powerful, professional, and safe experience for our dancers.

Ways to Support - Make a Donation

Your contribution — in any amount — helps us move this vision forward.
• All donations are tax-deductible through Dance Parade New York, a registered non-profit organization.

Even the smallest gift makes a real difference.

If donating isn’t possible right now, sharing this fundraiser is equally meaningful.

Join Us as a JBelly Jewel

Dancers from near and far are invited to participate in our 6-Week Parade Program, where you’ll learn choreography, train together, and be part of this unforgettable cultural celebration.

This is more than a parade.
It’s sisterhood | It’s heritage | It’s visibility | It’s joy. REGISTER TO PERFORM (deadline April 9th)

About Dance Parade New York

Dance Parade New York exists to promote and celebrate the diversity of dance through education, advocacy, and NYC’s largest dance event. Their mission is rooted in the belief that live dance awakens the human spirit and helps create a more vibrant and equitable society.

Your donation not only supports our float — it supports free dance programs in NYC schools and keeps cultural arts thriving.

From My Heart

This event has been part of my artistic life for seven years. Each year, when I look out and see our dancers moving together in the streets of New York, I’m reminded why I started this school in the first place.

To celebrate culture | To empower women | To build community | To dance with purpose.

If this vision resonates with you, we would be honored to have your support.

Thank you for believing in art, culture, and the power of dance to unite us all.

With gratitude and love,
Janelle Issis
Creator, JBelly School of RAQ
Director, JBelly Jewels

5Rhythms NYC Community is joining the vibrant energy of Dance Parade NYC on Saturday May 17th, 2025, to embody their powerful mission: DANCE FREE NYC!

Calling all dancers and movers! Help 5Rhythms bring our transformative practice to the streets of NYC once again for the 19h Annual Dance Parade NYC on May 17th. We're fundraising to secure our iconic float.

Leading the charge this year will be two of our very own: Ray Dias and Tim Doody.

Every donation gets us closer to creating a platform to showcase the power of movement to connect, express, and celebrate!

Here's some of the magic your contribution last year supported!

Donate today and be a part of this year’s vibrant celebration of freedom that only this movement we call dance can bring!

Whether you donate or simply join us on May 17th, let's celebrate the joy of uninhibited movement together. Should we not reach the goal, we will adjust and either bring our own sound system or have a smaller float — and should we surpass our goal, excess funds will be donated to 5Rhythms Reach Out, a 501(c)3 non-profit that brings the joy of the 5Rhythms to under resourced recipients.

Events Unfolding! On parade day, we’ll meet up at West 17th Street & 5th Avenue, and lineup to meet our float at the starting line, 17th & 6th Ave. We’ll dance down 6th Ave, and swing East on 8th Street and perform for 40 seconds through a Grand Stand of 500 people in Astor Place, on our way to Tompkins Square Park for DanceFest!

Spread the word and share the love!

With gratitude,

The 5Rhythms NYC Community

Help Us Bring the Spirit of Bellydance and Palestinian Culture to the Dance Parade!

Dear friends, family, and supporters,

My name is Janelle, and I am the creator of JBelly School of RAQ. For the past six years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Dance Parade, a wonderful non-profit charity in New York City that celebrates the magic of dance. This organization brings together dancers from all over the world, providing incredible events while also offering free classes to schools throughout NYC.

On May 17th, 2025, over 10,000 dancers will unite to celebrate more than 100 dance styles and cultures in the city’s largest dance event.

Each year I am beyond excited to invite my students and friends to join JBelly School of RAQ in representing Bellydance and arab music in the parade! As the Lead Float Designer/Director for DP, I’m thrilled to work behind the scenes, as well as share the stage with all of you as we showcase the beauty of Middle Eastern dance!

But we can’t do it alone! That’s where you come in. We’re asking for your support to help us fund our spectacular parade float, where dancers will perform for an audience of over 100,000 people! This float will serve as a platform for our dancers to express themselves, celebrate their culture, and unite in the joy of dance.

We are looking for dancers, donors, and supporters to help us reach our fundraising goal. Your generous contributions will help cover:

* A 32-foot parade float for our dancers to perform on

* Audio System: Honda 3000 watt generator with gas, 4 active self-powered speakers

* Decorations and signage to showcase our message

* Studio rental fees (both in-person and online)

* Parade day rehearsal needs: snacks, water, dance props, and more

How can you get involved?

* Donate: Donations over $50 will have your name displayed on the float as a token of our sincere gratitude. Donations of $300+ will allow your logo (of your choice) to be featured on the float. Deadline April 5th.

* Join us as a JBelly Jewel Dancer: Dancers (local and non-local) are invited to join us for our 5 Week Program, where you’ll learn exciting choreographies and be part of this incredible experience. Register > Learn More Deadline April 10th

What’s this all about?

This is about celebrating the power of dance to bring people together across cultures, backgrounds, and communities. It’s about embracing our shared humanity and expressing our love for Palestine through the art of Bellydance. As a Palestinian American creator of JBelly School of RAQ, this event is deeply personal to me. It’s a way to honor my roots, share the beauty of Arab culture, and bring people together to celebrate diversity, body positivity, and the joy of movement.

Thank you for considering supporting this dream. Every little bit helps, and your contribution will not only support our dancers but also help spread the love and magic of Bellydance and Palestinian culture to the world. Together, we can make this a reality!

With heartfelt thanks and appreciation,


Janelle
Creator of JBelly School of RAQ and the JBelly Jewels

VIEW OUR PAST DANCE PARADE EVENTS! CLICK HERE

Dearest friends and family of the NYC 5Rhythms Community,

The BEST DAY in NYC is back + ALL are invited to join the celebration!!!

5RHYTHMS at the DANCE PARADE - "Beyond the Zone"

- Saturday, May 20th, 2023!

For over 10 Years 5Rhythms has rocked it out in the Dance Parade + Dance Festival - And this year we are looking to once again have a profound presence in the heart of New York City as we take it to the streets and dance "Beyond the Zone" with Nico Allen + Henya Emmer bringing the beats.

We are asking for your support to help us enter a fully decorated 5Rhythms FLOAT in this year's Dance Parade. We need to raise funding by April 29th and your contribution will enable us to fully secure a beautiful float package. This package comes with a sound system to make our bodies go boom on the streets of NYC - full audio tech, liability insurance and a tow vehicle to pull our 28+ foot fully decorated 5Rhythms parade float.

~ x1 to attend a Bodywerk with Nico

~ AND x1 to attend a Sunday ReSet with Henya

Make sure you save the date, Saturday, May 20th and please help by spreading the word and sharing this campaign.

Much Love and Gratitude!

Nico + Henya

For more info visit https://5rhythms.com and https://danceparade.org

Hi Everyone--As many of you know, I have supported a fabulous not-for-profit charity called Dance Parade for four years in New York City. The organization provides dozens of free classes to schools around New York City. On Saturday, May 21st, over 10,000 dancers will come together in the city's most prominent dance event to celebrate over 100 styles and cultures.

 

 

This year I am THRILLED to not only work behind the scene but to invite my global students and friends to join me to fulfill my dream -- dancing down Broadway on our own JBelly's School of RAQ: Parade Float! Want to participate or help us reach our goal?! I am seeking dancers, doners and body-loving souls! So far, we are the only Belly Dance Float, and I want it bedazzled with my signature quotes and your gorgeous self! We'll be showcasing our Middle Eastern moves to over 100,000 people.

 

 

Donors over $50 to this campaign will get their names displayed on the float with my sincere gratitude.

Donors, $500+ will have their logo (of your choice) displayed on our float.

 

Interested Dancer's/Participants: Will be involved in 6 Weeks of classes to learn exciting choreographies,

Interested Dancers "local NYC and Non-Local," please CLICK HERE  to learn more and sign up!!

 

What Am I Supporting? 

Everything that dance stands for! This exciting event is for ALL ages and backgrounds to physically, mentally and emotionally connect through Dance! My goal is to allow my dancers and other bellydancers to work towards a collective goal to share the Art of Bellydance! It will be a time to invite others to find their joys, create with passion and collaborate with openness. A time to express yourself as we celebrate our diverse, beautiful bodies through Bellydance and welcome anyone in!

 

What are you funding?

24' to 32' Parade Float for participants to perform on down parade route

High-Quality Sound System and Generator 

Decoration, Signage, (Sponsorship Signage Perk) 

Costumes for 15+ Dancers 

Studio Rental Fees ($58-70/HR) in NYC and Online

Parade Day/Rehearsal Needs: Waters, snacks, dance props & more.

 

Without you, I cannot make this possible; please consider donating to help us reach our goals!

A deposit of $500 is due by March 20th

Costume Order & payment due April 1st

Total Float Payment & Sound System is due by April 31st

Studio Rentals from April 1st to May 20th

 

 

You can make a difference by donating today to Dance Parade Inc!

Until the end of the year, every dollar you give will be tripled thanks to a 3-to-1 match from our Board of Directors. Your $25 becomes $75. Your $250 becomes $750. Your impact goes three times as far.

For 20 years, Dance Parade has brought the magic of movement to New York City through three powerful ways:

1. Free dance education in underserved schools & community centers

Our teaching artists bring dance classes to two dozen public schools, senior centers, and community groups, creating pathways for creativity, confidence, and belonging. Each residency culminates in students dancing in the 20th Annual Dance Parade & Festival on May 16, 2026 — a life-changing moment for thousands of New Yorkers.

2. Advocacy for nightlife justice & cultural freedom

Dance Parade has long stood up for the right to dance. Our work helped:

Through our LegalizeDance.org campaign, we’re now pushing for updates to State Liquor Authority policies that still restrict dancing in small venues — policies that disproportionately impact marginalized communities and suppress NYC’s cultural life.

3. Celebrating 20 years of Dance Parade — New York’s largest dance event

On May 16, 2026, more than 10,000 dancers, 150+ organizations, 100+ styles, live bands, DJs, and performers will fill Manhattan under the theme “The Beat Goes On!”

From ballet to bhangra, salsa to street styles, the parade is a vibrant celebration of culture, community, and joy — culminating in DanceFest in Tompkins Square Park with free performances and dance classes.

In a special honor, this Dance Parade video celebrating 20 years of dance will be featured on Thanksgivng Day in LOOK UP TIMES SQUARE, a public art initiative spotlighting creators whose work inspires connection and hope:

Why Your Gift Matters

Your donation directly supports:

✔ Free dance classes in underserved schools

✔ Fair pay for teaching artists

✔ Senior & community center programs

✔ Nightlife advocacy to protect cultural rights

✔ Production of NYC’s largest free dance event

✔ Costumes, audio equipment & materials

✔ Opportunities for thousands of young people to dance in the parade

And with the 3-to-1 board match, your support goes three times further.

Join Us!

Together, we can ensure that in our 20th year — and beyond — the beat truly goes on.

Thank you for helping us bring dance education, cultural advocacy, and joy to New Yorkers of every age.