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“Dance Off a Million” calories kicks off June 6., full tour dates

By April MacIntyre May 25, 2010, 17:20 GMT

British actress Melanie Brown EPA/NINA PROMMER

Oxygen's hit series “Dance Your Ass Off” wants America to shape up and have fun doing it.

The second annual “Dance Your Ass Off Tour,” a five-city tour sponsored by Yoplait and includes the “Dance Off a Million” campaign benefiting the American Heart Association was announced today. 

The high energy, interactive “Dance Your Ass Off Tour” is bringing the dance/weight loss competition series to consumers for the second year in a row, providing fans the chance to see first-hand the benefits of dance as a fun and positive way to lose weight.

Tour features include dance performances, competitions, and tips for healthy living, giveaways and some special guests. Plus, Oxygen will be challenging consumers nationwide to “Dance Off a Million” calories, as part of a promotion to benefit the American Heart Association. 

Oxygen will make a $15,000 donation to the American Heart Association in the form of five separate checks to the local chapters at each of the five-city events. 

The tour coincides with the second season launch of “Dance Your Ass Off,” the hit dance/weight loss competition series hosted by Mel B, which premieres on Monday, June 7 at 11PM ET/PT on Oxygen.

“After last year’s success for both the show and the tour, we are eager to once again reach out to fans and have them experience the fun and healthy benefits of ‘Dance Your Ass Off,” said Jane Olson, SVP Marketing & Brand Strategy, Oxygen Media.  “We are fortunate to have our dance partner, Yoplait, as the sponsor and we look forward to contributing to the American Heart Association with the ‘Dance Off a Million’ pledge campaign.”

“Just as Oxygen’s ‘DYAO’ demonstrates dancing as a fun way to weight loss, Yoplait Light’s 30 delicious flavors at around 100 calories helps to outsmart temptation when you're watching your weight.  We felt this was a perfect pairing to take to consumers,” Laura Eisen, Marketing Manager for Yoplait Light.

"Dancing is just one of many forms of physical activity, which is an essential component of an effective and safe weight management program and we are glad that Oxygen is helping raise awareness of the importance of physical activity through the DYAO tour," said Johnny Lee, M.D., Founders Affiliate American Heart Association Board Member and President, New York Heart Associates, P.C.

Fan favorite contestant Shayla, from the series first season, will emcee the events in all five cities and “Dance Your Ass Off” host Mel B (Spice Girls) will make an appearance at the New York stop in Times Square at the Pedestrian Plaza on Broadway between 42nd and 43rd Street on June 14th.

Each leg of the tour will feature fun, interactive dance performances, contests, and tips as well as a before and after fitness station, where consumers will be able to see the transformation that season one contestant Miles has undergone since appearing on the show. A certified trainer will offer 5-minute fitness consultations, and consumers will have the opportunity to try on a weighted vest, showing them how it would feel to carry 20 extra pounds. Shayla will present a check to the American Heart Association at each stop on the tour.  At the “Dance Your A** Off” "Flip Book" station, visitors can create and take home a personalized “Flip Book” of themselves dancing or performing. Other giveaways include branded workout bags, water bottles, headbands, magnets and bumper stickers in addition to the Oxygen DYAO fitness DVD co-produced with Crunch.

The “Dance Your A** Off Tour” will be stepping out in the following cities:

St. Paul, MN - Grand Old Day - Sunday, June 6 - 9:00am – 5:00pm

New Orleans, LA - Vieux to Do - Friday, June 11 - 10:30-11:30 (parade), Saturday, June 12 - 11:00am –7:00pm (tour)

New York, NY - Times Square - Monday, June 14 - 11:00am – 3:30pm, 5:00pm – 9:30pm, at the Pedestrian Plaza on Broadway between 42nd and 43rd Street.

Washington D.C. - Safeway's National BBQ Battle - Saturday, June 26th, 11:00am – 9:00pm; Sunday, June 27th, 11:00am – 7:30pm

Orlando, Florida - Universal Orlando Resort - Friday, July 9th - 6:00pm – 12:00am; Saturday, July 10th - 6:00pm – 12:00am

Extending its commitment to health and wellness even further, Oxygen and the DYAO Tour will make a $15,000 donation to the American Heart Association via the local chapters in each of the tour’s five markets. Five checks of $3,000 will be presented by Shayla and participating affiliates. 

To learn more about the “Dance Your A** Off Tour” and to enter the “Dance Off A Million Sweepstakes” for a chance to win a trip for four to Universal Orlando Resort go to www.Oxygen.com 

Visitors to the site can get details on the tour route and access photos and information about the “Dance Off A Million” promotion.  Consumers can also pledge how many calories they plan to lose in support of “Dance Off A Million” and track how many calories they have burned.