Honoring and preserving the legacy of Duke Ellington
Photograph by Lia Chang
Martha Hill Dance
Lifetime Achievement Award 2025
Mercedes Ellington
Presented by Andre De Shields
Dance Parade: Freedom To Dance
Saturday, May 17, 2025
11:45 AM 3:00 PM
Grand Marshal Mercedes Ellington
Dance Parade will celebrate the 19th Annual Parade and Festival with 10,000 dancers featuring over 100 unique styles of dance. A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony kicks off the event at 11:45am at 17th Street and Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas).
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Preserving the Legacy of Duke Ellington
Considered one of America's greatest composers, arrangers, and bandleaders, with over 3,000 compositions attributed to him, Duke Ellington is a seminal figure in the history of American music. It is our honor to preserve his legacy through education, documentation, and performance.
“Love is supreme and unconditional; like is nice but limited.”
— Duke Ellington