The world continues to mourn the loss of legendary entertainer and talent, Robin Williams.
Did you know that Williams tipped his hat to some 
 of the dance world’s greatest in “The Birdcage”?
Here’s one of our most memorable moments.
In light of the recent events, the Broadway 
 cast of Aladdin did something very special
to pay their respects to Robin Williams,
who played the voice of the original Genie in the Disney film.
James Monroe Iglehart, who plays the Genie in the current stage production,
ended off the evening by getting the whole 
 audience singing along to “Friend Like Me”.
It was a really touching moment that paid tribute to Williams’ talent
and the joy he brought to all who enjoyed his work.
USC Kaufman is well on their way to 
 rolling out their brand new dance program,
and they have added a number of talented teachers to their team.
Jackie Kopcsak will contribute her ballet background as a professor of the practice,
d. Sabela Grimes will cover hip-hop, and Saleemah E. Knight jazz and modern dance.
All of this has been made possible through 
 a generous donation of philanthropist Glorya Kaufman,
who is establishing USC’s new dedicated school of dance.
It’s the first new school within the institution in 40 years!
Do watch Don't, the new Ed Sheeran video starring hip-hop dancer Phillip Chbeeb,
aka PacMan, in a rags-to-riches saga.
The video also features one of my favorite dancers Justine Lutz.
Ed does make a few cameos throughout but overall I 
 love that it was a fully dance driven video!
Thanks to Napoleon &amp; Tabitha for choreo (by the way 
 congrats Nappytabs on the Creative Arts Emmy win)!
The annual Fire Island Dance Festival brings professional dancers from a range of disciplines
together with one mutual effort in mind -- 
 raising funds for Dancers Responding to AIDS.
The organization is a program under Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
This year was groundbreaking, as the festival set 
 a record level of fundraising at $533,860.
The event was hosted by choreographers Larry Keigwin and Jerry Mitchell
and featured work by Joshua Bergasse, Nick Kenkel, Marcelo Gomes, and more.
A great example of the positive change dancers 
 can make when we work together, cross-discipline!
Chonique Sneed takes her hiphop background as a professional choreographer, artist and director
and emerges BACK on the music scene with her single entitled LET IT GO!
SYTYCD season 8 Sonya Tayeh choreographed an awesome geisha inspired piece
to Chonique &amp; Lisette Bustamante's Pop Drop &amp; Roll.
This song has a much needed message so let's see 
 who brings it to the dance floor this time!
Hey Chicago! You’re not gonna want to miss the 
 PAC Dance Intensive coming up August 30th.
Held at the Hubbard Street Dance Center, the workshop is a comprehensive all-day event
of master classes, performances, and seminars.
You can register and find more info online under our Featured Events.
Word is out that actress Emma Stone is in talks 
 to take over the role as “Sally Bowles”
in CABARET with Roundabout Theatre this fall.
Looking at her track record, Stone has more 
 than proven she’s got the triple-threat talent
to take on an acting-singing-dancing character like Bowles.
She’d be taking over after Michelle Williams finishes her 
 run in early November of this year.
We’re keeping tuned in to the situation in hopes that Stone seals the deal.
Don't be said, but that is all the Dish for now.
This week, tune in to plugger Stephen Hill’s profile.
Stephen is a New York native who wears 
 many hats as a dancer, choreographer, director,
and producer for all kinds of exciting projects.
Like what we’re dishin’?
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