800-838-3006
Online ticketing and further informationWhy a new tap dance series? The ever innovative director of American Tap Dance Series, Tony Waag, felt the need for new tap works based on theatrical concepts, noting that for more than a century, tap has fought for its place on the legitimate stage. In a feature article in
Backstage entitled "Good News for the New Year," Waag remarked that "there is a consensus among tap artists today that there's a need for more production opportunities for conceptual pieces. We need to show that there's more to tap dance than just a line-up of soloists improvising. A lot of tap dancers have been working on making more conceptual work--pieces the involve a more theatrical process, that use story lines or dramatic themes, and include singing and acting." (Lisa Jo Sagolla,
Backstage, January 1, 2009).
The groundbreaking new series will feature new works by both artists well known in the tap world:
February 12: "W-L-U-V" by
Christopher Scott, performed by Kendrick Jones, Michaela Marino-Lerman, Baakari Wilder, Carson Murphy, Melinda Sullivan, and Scott in "rhythms of love." They share the evening with "Stop Look Listen" choreography by
Katherine Kramer and music by Lanzallamas. A playful journey in a dangerous world for 4 dancers and 6 musicians performing "afro-brazilian-gypsy" music.
February 13: "Heeling Powers--rhythms of the left brain"--a collaboration of tapper, filmmaker, vaudevillian
Joshua Hilberman and young pianist Paul Arslanian, and"Primordial Memories," choreography and performance by tap legend
Brenda Bufalino, joined by Tap City Youth Ensemble.
February 19: "Stages," choreographed by
Barbara Duffy, performed by her company, exploring love, friendship, self-doubt and the courage to express one's true identity; and "Time Step," by Ryan Kasprzak, Brent McBeth, and Derek Roland, known as
Parallel Exit, the story of three hoofers!
February 20: "Tapsploitation,"
Michaela Marino-
Lerman and partner in a search for meaning and personal identity in 1970's urban America; sharing the evening with"RumbaTap,"
Max Pollak's international group of tappers, musicians, and vocalists that merges tap with Afro-Cuban music and dance.
February 18 Benefit: A fabulous line-up of artists in a grand evening to benefit the Gregory Hines Youth Scholarship Fund and ATDF's ongoing education programs. New works and performances by:
Chloe Arnold,
Barbara Duffy &
Company,
Derick K. Grant,
Kendrick Jones,
Parallel Exit,
Melinda Sullivan,
Jason Samuels Smith,
Dormishia Sumbry Edwards, and
Tap City Youth Ensemble.
