Native Pittsburgher Roland Ford, also known as the Dancing DJ, helps direct people to a healthier lifestyle through line dancing.

Living a healthy and active lifestyle has always been very important to Roland. While growing up, he developed a talent for running. Throughout high school and college he was involved in cross country and track. As years progressed, Roland stuck to running and even won a series of races in his age category.

Although Roland has been involved in athletics for a great deal of his life, he was not always aware of his talent for line dancing.    A few years ago he discovered his passion for line dancing while taking part in an exercise class with a friend at a church in the Hill District. From that day forward, Roland became intrigued with the fact that not only is line dancing fun, but it is also beneficial for a person’s health.

“I found a dancer living inside of me that I did not know,” said Roland.

In March 2007 Roland taught his first dance class at the YMCA. Since then he has become a major line dancing icon, and participates in numerous events every year, as well as teaches his own classes.

Last year Roland choreographed the D&R Hustle for the Dignity & Respect Campaign’s line dance event during the Jazz Festival. The line dance was a project of the Campaign’s Take a Health Step Initiative. Hundreds of people came and got moving in the street on June 20 with Roland. 

This year, the Dignity & Respect Campaign is holding another line dance event that is again centered around healthy living. On Saturday, June 20 at 4pm the Big City Line Dance will take place at Ninth and Penn Avenues in the Cultural District. 

There’s plenty of time to learn the D&R Hustle, either one of several rehearsals Roland will lead, or by using the instruction video:

https://vimeo.com/127753369?utm_source=May2015+Champion+and+Newsletter&utm_campaign=May+Champion&utm_medium=email

In addition to the D&R Hustle, Roland will be leading the crowd in Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Uptown Funk dance.  There’s an instruction video for that dance, too:

https://vimeo.com/127752243?utm_source=May2015+Champion+and+Newsletter&utm_campaign=May+Champion&utm_medium=email

Bring your whole family to Ninth and Penn on Saturday, June 20 and Take a Healthy Step at this year’s Big City Line Dance!  For a list of rehearsals, visit dignityandrespect.org/greaterpittsburgh/