This year’s Presidential election has received unparalleled media attention, but the all-important question remains: will Americans actually make it to the polls? And what of the state wide elections where important decisions are made about Senate seats and ballot initiatives that typically struggle for voter turn out? The St. Louis arts community has taken it upon itself to encourage voter participation through the premiere of the “Dance the Vote” campaign. With the goal of promoting voter awareness and registration, “Dance the Vote” features voting-themed interpretive dance pieces created by local choreographers and dancers.
Joan Lipkin, theatre artist, social activist and Artistic Director of That Uppity Theatre Company, joined forces with choreographer and educator Ashley Tate, Artistic Director of Ashleyliane Dance Company to spearhead a community event, taking place this Saturday, July 2 in preparation for the Primary Election voter registration deadline July 6 in Missouri for the state wide election on August 2. Participating dance companies include Ashleyliane Dance Company, Karlovsky and Company Dance, Beyond Measure Dance Theater and the AfroKuumba Dancers, and Innervision Dance Theatre. Joining the line up of dance companies, will be various spoken word artists including African American veteran Chris Ware, disability rights activist Katie Rodriguez Bannister, playwright Mariah Richardson, and college professor Pam Garvey, among others. Alderwoman Lyda Krewson will kick off the July 2nd event with some remarks about the importance of voting.
"As this is arguably the most important election of our lifetime, and as artists that care about the future of our country, we have come together to offer our talents, vision, and passion to actively participate in promoting voting and voter registration,” said Joan Lipkin.
“Dance the Vote” is targeted at any and all eligible voters, no matter what age, gender or party preference. Through the performance, Lipkin hopes to remind voters of the long and difficult road to suffrage in the United States and to encourage Americans to never take the right to vote for granted. One demographic of particular importance to “Dance the Vote” and the 2016 election as a whole are millennials. According to population estimates released this year by the U.S. Census Bureau, millennials have not only surpassed Baby Boomers as the nation’s largest living generation, but now have the same share of the American electorate. However, less than 50% of 18 to 35 year-olds casted votes in the last Presidential Election, which is why “Dance the Vote” aims to engage this significant group of voters.
The inaugural  “Dance the Vote” event is scheduled for this Saturday, July 2 from 2-5 pm at Vintage Vinyl in the Delmar Loop, one of St. Louis’ thriving arts and cultural centers. In addition to the dances and spoken word pieces, non-partisan voter registration opportunities will be available to interested attendees, giving guests direct access to the voting process.
Additional performances are to be announced and will be held throughout the greater St. Louis area leading up to the 2016 Presidential Election, including First Fridays at Grand Center. "As the months go by in anticipation of the November election and momentum and availability builds in the arts community, we will have more artists joining us," said Lipkin. "We have had a lot of artists say they want to participate. But for now, we are excited to kick it off appropriately on the Fourth of July weekend and to also remind people of the importance of registering for and then voting in Missouri's state wide election on August 2 where many significant offices will be determined." The deadline to register for the August election is July 6, making the event both timely and urgent. 
For additional information visit http://www.uppityco.com/dance_the_vote_2016.html