Nation Dance Week Names Headliner Rikki Lee Travolta as Delegate

Joining the ranks of Paul Abdul, Gregory Hines, and Ben Vereen, celebrity actor-singer-dancer Rikki Lee Travolta has been dubbed as a representative of presidentially commentated National Dance Week.

Triple threat performer Rikki Lee Travolta has been named a Professional Delegate for National Dance Week 2003. Paula Abdul, Sandy Duncan, Gus Giordano, Gregory Hines, Jo Rowan, and Ben Vereen have previously served as high profile ambassadors of the performing arts recognition effort.

Carrying a mission statement of to heighten the awareness of Dance and its contributions to our culture," the American weeklong tradition of celebrating the fine arts takes place this year April 25 through May 4.

Travolta has toured nationally in theatrical productions of West Side Story and Bye Bye Birdie and is the Artist-in-Residence and Managing Director of North Shore Dance and Drama Center outside of Chicago. Travolta previously has taught Jazz and Modern dance technique in lecture and as an adjunct faculty member at colleges and universities within the United States. His recently released novel has been ranked alongside Postcards from the Edge" at Amazon.com for its insightful look behind the scenes of the entertainment industry.

Emphasis of National Dance Week is presently being placed on and recognition given to including the arts more emphatically in public school curriculums as well as finding additional funding for professional groups.

President George W. Bush has issued a Letter of Commendation recognizing the dance as a reflection of the richness and diversity of the human spirit and applauding those involved in planning the special events and activities of National Dance Week.

Official sponsors of National Dance Week include Dance Magazine, Footloose, Gus Giordano Dance Center, Leos Dancewear, Liberts Dance Fashions, Spotlight Events, and Weissmans Theatrical.

The Coalition for National Dance Week was formed in 1981. In 1991, the United Dance Merchants of America made a commitment to National Dance Week, under the chairmanship of member Susan Epstein of Dance Marketing Services and as a part of the UDMA campaign to actively encourage the growth of Dance in America. In 2002, the umbrella organization for dance educators' associations, UNITY, joined with UDMA to oversee the NDW annual endeavors and brings to the effort a heightened presence of the leading dance teachers of America today.