University of California Los Angeles Dance Marathon
Dance Marathon at UCLA, also known as DM, is a 26-hour philanthropic dance-a-thon hosted by the Pediatric AIDS Coalition at UCLA that takes place every February at the University of California, Los Angeles, with the purpose of raising money to fight pediatric HIV and AIDS. Currently in its 12th year, Dance Marathon at UCLA has raised a total of $3,003,190.15 since 2002 for its beneficiaries, which consist of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), Project Kindle, and the UCLA AIDS Institute. UCLA Dance Marathon is considered the largest student-organized philanthropic event on the West coast. At the event, which includes performances, celebrities and speakers, participants dance for 26 hours straight to support the battle of children afflicted with AIDS. Dance Marathon is planned and produced annually by the UCLA Pediatric AIDS Coalition, a student-run umbrella organization that focuses on supporting the eradication of HIV and AIDS. Most recently, the 2012 Dance Marathon raised $451,144.03 with 837 dancers and more than 3,000 supporters.
History
Dance Marathon, currently in its 12th year, has gradually established itself as a tradition on the UCLA campus and within the Los Angeles community.
In 2002, Dance Marathon began at Tom Bradley Hall at UCLA. The event was organized by 20 Dance Marathon committee members and included 189 dancers. A total of $26,000 was raised to support the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which was the only beneficiary at the time.
In 2003, the location changed to the Covel Grand Horizon Room within Covel Commons at UCLA. A theme was added, "The Real World," and 225 dancers participated. A total of $46,786.09 was raised for EGPAF.
In 2004, the theme was "Stay Tuned for the Cure". More than 375 dancers raised $110,782.80, more than twice than the previous year, for EGPAF.
In 2005, Dance Marathon moved to Ackerman Grand Ballroom, a larger venue on campus, to accommodate more dancers and supporters. DM is still held in Ackerman Grand Ballroom today. The theme was "Time to Take a Stand" and included 400 dancers. The event raised a total of $197,251.42 for EGPAF.
In 2006, the event was themed "DM World Tour - Destination: Cure" and included 742 dancers. Dance Marathon raised $268,881.31 for EGPAF.
In 2007, the event was themed "School House Rocks: Rock for the Kids, Rock for the Cure." This year included 667 dancers, who raised $330,245.70. During the 2006-2007 school year, the executive team behind Dance Marathon added two more organizations as beneficiaries: Camp Kindle (now under the title Project Kindle) and One Heartland, two camps for children affected by HIV/AIDS. The goal was for Dance Marathon to have both a local and global impact, and to develop closer relationships with a community of the children relevant to the cause.
In 2008, Dance Marathon was themed "DMLA: Big City, Bigger Fight" and included EGPAF, Camp Kindle, and One Heartland as beneficiaries. The event's 779 dancers raised a total of $384,507.80.
In 2009, the event was themed "Love" and included 726 dancers. The event raised $362,741.94 for the same three beneficiaries. During the 2009-2010 school year, the executive team behind Dance Marathon decided to begin a two-year transition from the title "Dance Marathon Committee" to the "Pediatric AIDS Coalition at UCLA", marking a shift in focus from a once-a-year event to a year-long effort to support the eradication of pediatric HIV/AIDS.
In 2010, UCLA Dance Marathon was officially incorporated into the Pediatric AIDS Coalition, an umbrella organization focusing on efforts to fight HIV/AIDS. The Pediatric AIDS Coalition announced the theme as "Discovery". 842 dancers participated and raised $407,223.73 for its beneficiaries.
In 2011, the event was themed "Power Up!" and 786 dancers raised a total of $410,530.68 . The UCLA AIDS Institute was added as a fourth beneficiary.
In 2012, Dance Marathon was themed "Dream Out Loud" and included 837 dancers, who generated $451,144.03 in funds for its beneficiaries. In late 2012, the Pediatric AIDS Coalition announced that the theme for Dance Marathon 2013 was "Illuminate" via its website. The final count of dancers and funds raised will not be calculated until after the event in February.
Beneficiaries
Since the start of UCLA Dance Marathon, the beneficiaries of the event have gradually changed and expanded. Currently, proceeds from the 26-hour event go to four beneficiaries: the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Project Kindle, and the UCLA AIDS Institute.
- The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing HIV infection and eliminating pediatric AIDS, works with the Pediatric AIDS Coalition throughout the year leading up to the event. Jake Glaser, Elizabeth Glaser's son, regularly attends the annual event and gives a speech to dancers. UCLA is the foundation's largest collegiate donor. The foundation receives 70% of Dance Marathon proceeds.
- Project Kindle is a non-profit organization that offers a summer camp program focused on children infected with or affected by HIV and AIDS.
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The camp, which is free of charge to these children, receives 20% of Dance Marathon proceeds.
- The UCLA AIDS Institute is a think tank dedicated to advancing research against HIV/AIDS, and has produced advances in treating HIV.
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The institute receives 10% of Dance Marathon proceeds.
Dance Marathon Weekend
While the Pediatric AIDS Coalition focuses on HIV/AIDS advocacy and prevention events throughout the year, much of its efforts are dedicated toward Dance Marathon weekend, GeneRally the Saturday and Sunday of Presidents' Day weekend in February. During the 26 hours, dancers pledge to remain standing and dancing, to "take a stand" against pediatric HIV and AIDS.
A variety of activities and events are scheduled to keep dancers awake and entertained, including contests, performances, celebrity apperances and color wars. Dancers are separated by "color teams," which usually include 50-90 dancers and are led by a "dancer captain." Throughout the event, the teams participate in "Color Wars," a competition including numerous games and activities, in which the dancers compete for points. The team with the most points is announced at the winner at the end of the 26 hours.
The 26-hour event includes nine shifts, which are generally three hours long and tied to the overall event's theme. Every shift, participants change costumes according to the shift's theme. For example, 2013's Dance Marathon is themed "Illuminate", and some of the 3-hour shifts included are "Let There Be Bright", when students are expected to dress in neon, and "Bright Lights, Big City", when students dress to represent cities across the world. Every year, Dance Marathon also includes a "morale song", devised and choreographed by the Pediatric AIDS Coalition, that is performed twice every shift. Previous morale songs have been "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" by C+C Music Factory and "Let's Groove" by Earth, Wind & Fire.
The annual event includes dancer participants, moralers, performers, volunteers and committee members. Often times, parents and alumni will come to support students at the event. Dance Marathon consistently attracts local and national news coverage, including the campus newspaper Daily Bruin, along with television stations such as KABC and national publications such as the Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, US Weekly, The Huffington Post, and others. Many notable celebrities have visited Dance Marathon in the past, including James Franco, Kate Flannery from The Office, Perez HILTON, Jonathan Bennett from Mean Girls, the cast of Greek, mashup artists Super Mash Bros, and dozens of others.
- Committee: The Pediatric AIDS Coalition, a group of AbOUT 120 students, organizes Dance Marathon each year. There are 15 committees, ranging from Operations to Finance to Dancer Relations, which includes the "dancer captains" who lead the color teams.
- Dancers: The participants are expected to raise at least $250 before the event and to stay on their feet for the entire 26 hours of Dance Marathon. They are organized on "color teams" and led by a "dancer captain," who assists them with fundraising and guides them throughout the Dance Marathon process.
- Performers: Performers, including both professional artists as well as UCLA student groups, help keep participants energetic at the event. Student groups, ranging from Samahang Modern to Awaken A Cappella and the UCLA Spirit Squad, have attended in previous years. Professional artists who have performed in prior years include Talib Kweli, Lady Danville, and Kimberley Locke.
- Moralers: Those who do not wish to participate in the entire 26-hour event often choose to morale instead, as an alternative. Less taxing than dancing for 26 hours, moralers register for 3-hour shifts to help support dancers and keep enthusiasm high.
- Volunteers: Volunteers help keep Dance Marathon running smoothly by taking care of essential work behind the scenes.
Other Activities
Bruin Plaza Days
Held generally in UCLA's Bruin Plaza, these events occur throughout the year and often mark particular deadlines, such as the opening or closing of dancer registration. The Pediatric AIDS Coalition partners with other UCLA organizations, such as AIDS Ambassadors, the Student Wellness Commission's AIDS Awareness committee, and GlobeMed. The purpose is to educate the UCLA community regarding HIV and AIDS and encourage them to get involved with the cause by participating in Dance Marathon.
Annual Hill Blacklight Party
The Annual Hill Blacklight Party, an event held in UCLA's dorms, targets students who live on campus in university housing and offers a PREview for what happens during Dance Marathon. Students have the opportunity to learn more about HIV and AIDS, as well as register for Dance Marathon.
World AIDS Day
Hosted by UCLA Student Welfare Commission's AIDS Awareness committee, World AIDS Day is commemorated at the beginning of December. It is usually observed not on the actual day, December 1, due to student final exams. The Pediatric AIDS Coalition is one of a few groups that help support the Student Welfare Commission's activities, including informational booths, free HIV testing, and a campus-wide procession.