Just a few articles I wanted to share quickly that I found last week but didn’t have a chance to put up:
Check out the video of 13 year old Anthony Madison on dancepassport.ca, who won Gold in the Junior Male Solo category at the World Tap Dance Championships just held in Germany! He is incredible. Listen to his rhythms he sings over this popular tune, it is pure joy to watch and hear. This piece was choreographed by Lori Cacciotti who is the director at the studio Happiness is Dancing.
The latest up and coming stars on the Tap scene are the Manzari Brothers. You might have seen them on So You Think You Can Dance as special guests and around the D.C area where they are from. It’s not often you see a Brother act like this one! It’s a throwback to all the great duos from the past with all the charisma, rhythm, and entertainment one would imagine from the greats like the Nicholas Brothers, the Condos Brothers, and the Hines Brothers. They have a dynamic that stands above all others and when they dance, you can’t tear yourself away. Get to know these two, they’re part of this next generation of the Tap revolution.
This article is by Lisa Triager from the November Issue of Dance Magazine, but I found it on Boys and Ballet Blog. Enjoy.
To all my followers, I am sorry I have been behind in relaying Tap in the News. This segment will be longer than usual, as there are a bunch of articles I have had to read!
We will start with a review by Marty Hughley of Jason Samuels-Smith’s company A.C.G.I. (Anyone Can Get It) who just performed a 3 night stint in Portland, Oregon as part of the White Bird Dance 2010 Season.
Even with amazing shows and companies travelling around the world, Tap is still under the radar. There aren’t very many all Tap studios in the country, but in Silver Spring, Maryland, a small studio called Knock on Wood is struggling to survive as one of them. Tap needs to be preserved and there are few people dedicated like Courtenay Swinton that are actually doing it. However, due to the economy she is finding it harder and harder to continue to share her passion. Hearing about this studio, it makes me think what we can do as a community to keep Tap on the Map through fundraisers, events, and to peak interest in general….
Also keeping Tap on the Map is the Tap ensemble, Soul Full of Rhythm in Ann Arbor, MI who is presenting an in-studio performance titled “In the Mix”. I think this is a great idea that is cost-effective and as Sara Randazzo puts it, “We’ll make the [audience] part of the show”. It inspires me to snag the idea as well, as it is important for students to perform. It doesn’t have to be a huge all out production, but somewhere where they can show off what they have learned. A once a year recital doesn’t seem to be enough for me…
Bloch has launched the debut of it’s newest shoe designed for and by Jason Samuels Smith! It’s called the Jason Sameuls Smith Professional Tap Shoe SO313. Aptly named, this shoe is said to be extremely comfortable with larger taps for the ball of the foot, is already built up, and ready to use right out of the box. Since it is designed by a Tap dancer who obviously knows what we experience when teaching and performing, and how much our feet throb at the end of the day, it is one of the best shoes in the market. It’s actually next on my list to buy (as I have destroyed my Capezio k360’s) and I am very excited to try them out!
Knowing about Tap history connects you with the art. I teach about the roots of Tap dance and try to make it a point to talk about people who have contributed throughout the years. The Tap dancers from years ago have influenced the movement of Tap through this new generation that continues to evolve. So read up on Derick Grant, Ruby Keeler, and Fred Kelly!
Big News!!
My Blog was listed as one of the Top 5 Tap Dancing Blogs on the internet by Guide To Art Schools! Thanks to the site for recognizing me and thanks to everyone who drops by and supports my efforts to get Tap on the Map.
Happy Tapping!