‘So You Think You Can Dance’ star named official starter of 2019 parade
Stephen “tWitch” Boss, Ellen DeGeneres’ favorite DJ and “So You Think You Can Dance” star, will be the official starter for the First Ever 16th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Hot Springs on March 17, 2019.
“tWitch will be the perfect entertainer to bring an even greater level of excitement for the crowds of fans who have learned to expect plenty of fun as the parade covers the 98-foot length of Bridge Street,” Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, said in a news release.
tWitch most recently appeared in DeGeneres’ “Game of Games,” and will be the new host, alongside his wife, Allison Holker, for Disney’s “Fairytale Weddings.” He also recently appeared in “Famous in Love,” playing himself, as well as in Judd Apatow’s “Love,” and in 2016 was on screen in “Ghostbusters,” directed by his good friend, Paul Feig. tWitch also was the choreographer for the film. In 2015, he appeared alongside Channing Tatum in the second installment in the “Magic Mike” franchise, “Magic Mike XXL,” in the role of Malik.
Along with his work in feature films, he continues his run as DeGeneres’ favorite guest DJ on her talk show, “Ellen.” Their relationship led to the collaboration of him co-choreographing her 2013 Oscar promo.
tWitch originally won over critics and fans alike with his amazing performances on the Season 4 of the popular Fox dance competition series “So You Think You Can Dance,” where he captivated audiences with his impressive dancing skills and unmatched charisma.
He was born and raised in Montgomery, Ala., where, as a child, he was always seen dancing. At times when he wasn’t allowed to dance, like at school or church, he would resort to “popping and ticking” (a popular hip-hop style of dance) that resembles a twitch to most. That was how he earned the nickname tWitch, according to a biography provided by Visit Hot Springs.
The official announcement of the 2019 parade’s celebrity grand marshal is scheduled for Sept. 17, at a Pop Up Pub Pop Up Party from 4-7 p.m. on the Plaza Lawn of the Hot Springs Convention Center at Convention Boulevard and Malvern Avenue.
“We’ll get our attitudes adjusted so that we concentrate on making the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day Parade even better than its predecessors,” said Bill Solleder, marketing director for Visit Hot Springs. “We will set up the world-famous world’s largest inflatable pop up Irish pub, O’Kelley’s, and feature music and entertainment and just plain fun. Adult beverages will be available.”
Solleder said the identity of the celebrity grand marshal for the 2019 parade will be disclosed at 5:30 p.m., leaving plenty of time to celebrate the disclosure.
“It’ll all be free and open to the public,” Solleder said.