It is an exciting time for tap dancing. So many shows, projects, festivals, and social media posts are contributing to a continuous flow of tap dancing becoming immersed in the public's consciousness. Here is a list of some of the goings on, in no particular order…
1. Shuffle Along - currently in previews on Broadway and created by George Wolfe and choreographed by Savion Glover is comprised of an all star cast and is one of the highly anticipated productions of this year’s theater season. http://deadline.com/2016/03/shuffle-along-broadway-adds-40-dollar-preview-1201727123/
2. Jared Grimes - one of tap’s vibrant young artists and long time collaborator with Wynton Marsalis will be performing in a new program at Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC in addition to being enlisted as choreographer for a new production ofJelly’s Last Jam. http://www.jazz.org/events/t-4024/Spaces-by-Wynton-Marsalis/
3. Chloe Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies has the internet abuzz with their latest rendition of a Beyonce tune, “Formation”. The group’s dance video has been viewed over 5 million times (and climbing) and they even garnered an appearance on national television with Good Morning America.
4. Dormeshia Sumbry Edwards recently set a wonderful, rhythmic tone in a performance for Brooklyn Dance Festival at BAM in NYC.
5. Jason Samuels Smith, in addition to his appearances at international tap festivals and launching a new shoe offering with Bloch, is preparing for a world premiere titled “And Still You Must Swing.” at Jacob’s Pillow in collaboration with Derick Grant and Dormeshia Sumbry- Edwards. http://www.jacobspillow.org/festival/2016/07/and-still-you-must-swing/
6. Michelle Dorrance and Dorrance Dance remain hard at work with an upcoming tour schedule that includes The Joyce Theater in NYC and Jacob’s Pillow. Dorrance has also been featured in Crain's recent 40 under 40 Class of 2016 article. http://www.dorrancedance.com/performances-and-events/upcoming/
7. Omar Edwards, one of tap’s most dynamic dancers, just finished flying high in “FLY” at the New Victory Theater in NYC. http://www.newvictory.org/Show-Detail.aspx?ProductionId=6912
8. Ayodele Casel, a co-founder of Operation:Tap, is currently preparing for a concert set this summer at New York’s City Center featuring Broadway favorites Sutton Foster and Jonathan Groff. http://www.nycitycenter.org/tickets/productionNew.aspx?performanceNumber=9784#.VvmnkWP9KS0
9. Roxane Semadeni, Kazu Kamugai, and Caleb Teicher will be performing at Brian Seibert’s tap history book launch “What the Eye hears/A history of Tap Dancing” at the 92nd Street Y in NYC.
10. Michela Marino Lerman- If you're in Italy April 1-2, don't miss an opportunity to take class with one of tap's finest tap musicians and soloists. https://www.facebook.com/events/580785498746241/
11. Tapestry Dance Company- a professional, non-profit dance organization founded in 1989 by Acia Gray and Deirdre Strand (and one of a select few salaried Tap dance companies) will be premiering "Passing it Forward" April 21-May 1st at The Long Center in Austin, Texas. http://thelongcenter.org/event/passing-it-forward/
In addition to these very exciting performances there are so many tap education opportunities internationally and nationally currently being offered. Please stay tuned for our festival features to learn more about festivals and workshops in your area!