Tap City Celebrates America

June 23, 2014

Gene Kelly in
Singin’ In the Rain. Courtesy Turner Entertainment.

 

Every summer the enterprising American Tap Dance Foundation gathers top tappers for a dynamic week of performances and classes. This year the all-star faculty includes Chloe Arnold, Brenda Bufalino, Michelle Dorrance, Derick K. Grant,  Claudia Rahardjanoto, Billy Siegenfeld, Jason Samuels Smith, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, and other luminaries.

 

Right: Michelle Dorrance. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

 

Coming right after the Fourth of July, July 5 through 12, it’s like a continuation of celebrating our country’s heritage. Highlights of Tap City include the Copasetic Boat Ride, an awards night, a celebration of Gene Kelly’s legacy, and the Tap It Out crowd scene for students in Foley Square. Why Foley Square? It’s actually in the historic “Five Points” district of the city where, in the 19th century, freed slaves and Irish immigrants shared their vernacular dance forms, the shuffle and the jigs respectively. And tap dance was born.

 

The tap people are an ever expanding and expansive community. Every dancer has her or his own style, and despite this—or maybe because of it—everyone is part of the larger tap community. And Tony Waag makes it all happen with Tap City. Click here for more info or to register.

 

Left: Tap City’s Tap it Out event.