The D.C. Tap Festival: My Experience
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
Last weekend I made the drive up to Washington D.C. with my partner in tap, Tre McClendon to participate in the D.C. Tap Festival. Despite having tap danced for 13 years, this is only the second time that I have been able to travel outside of Georgia for a festival. The first time being several years ago when I was tap dancing in New York City!
So here are a few highlights of the 2010 D.C. Tap Festival as I experienced it over two days (I did not attend Sunday’s events as we were busy driving back to Atlanta).
The Tap Dancers
By far the best part of any tap festival to me is the interaction with other tap dancers. I met dancers from all over the country and the world. It’s amazing the extent to which tap acts as a common language between dancers. If you really want to get to know a person, dance with them. On Friday we entered a studio and instantly entered into an informal jam session with folks we had never met before. We traded steps and began to connect immediately.
Classes ran through the afternoon on Friday leading up to the show which featured the instructors, special guests, and several youth tap ensembles. After the show, tap dancers gathered at Vapiano, an Italian lounge and bar that provided a nice environment in which to meet more dancers.
The Show
The show on Friday was very enjoyable. There were many stand out moments, though without a doubt the biggest shock of the night was delivered by a 6 year old boy named Luke Spring who apparently has only been tapping for one year. I have posted a clearer video of his performance to my Facebook Page though you can also get an idea of how amazing he is by watching this clip:
That’s right…he’s 6 years old. Can someone please share the teaching techniques that can cause a kid to grasp this much, this quickly?
The Classes
Of course tap festivals are not just about connections and performances. The classes also have to be on point and I’m happy yo say that they. My favorite class of the weekend was Baakari Wilder‘s (the festival honoree) teacher’s class on Friday where he spent time explaining his approach to working with students. I love teaching so I was hanging on every word as I truly want to help my students reach their maximum potential whether in live classes or my online tap lessons!
Baakari’s teaching did not end with his class. He continued to teach via his conversation after class and in his featured performance at the show on Friday night. He is a true example of tap generosity and love for the art form.
The Jam Session
After Saturday’s classes I participated in the evening Jam Session, which gave students and teachers an opportunity to perform in an informal setting for fellow tap dancers with live music. I performed alongside Tap Dance Blog guest blogger Hillary-Marie Michael, as well as Robin Passmore, & Conner Kelly, all amazing dancers with extremely bright futures! Thanks to them for allowing me in. At the Jam Session I was also thrilled that Chloe & Maud Arnold (festival organizers and outstanding artists) plugged my portable tap floors and online efforts. Special thanks go to them as well!
The Surprises
When you attend a tap festival, anything can happen! In my case, my partner Tre and I were invited to Constance Valis-Hill’s book signing at the Smithsonian Museum of U.S. History. There we shared the wood with Michelle Dorrance, Hillary Marie-Michael, Sarah Reich, & Lee Howard. Jason Samuels-Smith & Jason Janas also came through and performed for standing crowds.
Mrs. Valis-Hill’s book is an in-depth exploration of tap history & tap culture. Use this link to learn more and grab a copy:
The Impact
The thing that effected me most while in D.C. was seeing so many gifted and talented young people filled with a love for tap dancing. Experiencing that makes me to long to see the same thing here in my home city of Atlanta. In fact, I have decided to do something about it!
I will be developing a Youth Tap Ensemble for tap dancers in Atlanta who love rhythm tap and want more. Pray for me as I have very little idea what I’m doing – though to be honest, I said the same of blogging only a few short years ago! I’ll keep you posted.
Thanks for reading!
