For the first time, Dance Is Life presents Gather Round: Let’s Dance DIL and Works & Process at The Plaza at Manhattan West —a stunning, modern public space surrounded by soaring architecture and the vibrant energy of the West Side. This new location offers a fresh stage for our signature celebration of Latin Hustle, street, and club dance culture, all set to the sounds that move New York.
Dance Is Life is a free, intergenerational, and communitarian dance party that celebrates the rich tradition of Latin Hustle being danced in the streets, parks, and clubs of NYC. Emerging in the early 1970s South Bronx and created predominantly by Puerto Rican and Black teenagers, Latin Hustle is a partner dance that defies traditional gender norms—welcoming any gender to lead, follow, or even swap roles—and honors its many LGBTQ+ innovators. While Latin Hustle remains at the heart of the gathering, Dance Is Life welcomes all street and club dance styles, igniting a vibrant space for cultural exchange, creativity, and self-expression. Open to all, it fosters human connection through shared joy, movement, and a deep respect for NYC’s dance legacy.
HOSTED BY
Natasha Diggs
Abdiel
DJs
Natasha Diggs
WHEN
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
5pm — 7:30PM
WHERE
The Plaza
Manhattan West
New York City