3rd Annual Day of Dancer Health Event

Dance Resource Center Announces

3^rd Annual Day of Dancer Health Event

November 11th

Los Angeles, Calif., October 10, 2017 -- Dance Resource Center, a Los Angeles not-for-profit service organization providing vital support to Los Angeles’ dance community, will host the 3^rd Annual Day of Dancer Health on November 11, 2017, from 10:00am to 5:00pm at Art Share L.A. in the Arts District in Downtown LA. The day is devoted to dancer health and wellness and will include the Dance/USA Taskforce on Dancer Health Preventative Health Screening.

Day of Dancer health is open to all professional dancers, aged 18 and above and is free to participants. The preventative assessment screenings are administered by licensed health professionals who have expertise in working with performing artists. With their consent, the data collected during the day becomes part of a national database (https://www.danceusa.org/tfodh-screening-project)

In addition to the screenings, participants can meet with mental health professionalsand nutritionists. There will be workshops, information tables and healthy food. Each participant receives a wellness bag and a list of referrals to practitioners in the area who work with performing artists.

The Greater Los Angeles professional dance community comprises several thousand dancers and choreographers of all ages. The wear and tear on dancers’ bodies is similar to professional athletes yet there are almost no opportunities for professional dancers to receive preventative health screenings or information about health and wellness tailored towards prolonging their careers and lives.

Day of Dancer Health currently takes place during the Affordable Care Act enrollment period. The Actors Fund, a national designated enroller for the Affordable Care Act, will provide resources and guidance on health insurance.

 “Dance Resource Center is committed to the health and well-being of the Los Angeles professional dance community," said Felicia Rosenfeld, Executive Director, Dance Resource Center (DRC.)  "DRC launched Day of Dancer Health in 2015 to provide LA dancers with a chance to learn more about their physical and mental health and wellbeing as they relate to their careers. This year, DRC, in collaboration with its partners, Dance/USA’s Task Force on Dancer Health and The Actors Fund are building on the success of last year’s event to engage more dancers as we support this key element of LA’s creative economy and culture.” 

Day of Dancer Health began in 2015 and was the first in the United States to offer the Dance/USA Task Force screening to a freelance dance community. It has become a model for other events around the U.S. During 2017-2018, similar days will take place in Boston, Houston, Miami and New Orleans.

DRC has received generous support for Day of Dancer Health from the California Community Foundation, Blue Shield, The Actors Fund, DeWitt Stern, Diavolo Dance Theater and Icelandic Water.

DANCE RESOURCE CENTER (DRC) promotes the visibility and viability of Greater Los Angeles dance.  DRC is open to all professional dance companies, makers and stakeholders. We welcome all genres, organizational formats, voices and perspectives. Since 1987, through programming of service to the professional dance community; and as a voice and resource for Greater LA dance on local, regional, state and national levels, DRC provides a hub and voice for dance in Greater Los Angeles.  www.danceresourcecenter.org

THE DANCE/USA TASK FORCE ON DANCER HEALTH is composed of medical professionals who work directly with professional dance companies and professional dancers across the USA and Canada. The mission of the Dance/USA Task Force on Dancer Health is to maintain the health, safety and well being of professional dancers. Dance/USA is the national service organization for dance. www.danceusa.org

ACTORS FUND is a national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. We are a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis or transition. www.actorsfund.org

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