CHICAGO TAP ALLSTARS ANNOUNCE WORKSHOPS, PANELS AND A TAP JAM IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL TAP DANCE DAY, SATURDAY, MAY 20 AND SUNDAY, MAY 21, AT THE
HAROLD WASHINGTON CULTURAL CENTER
Workshops Lead by Chicago’s Most Accomplished Tap Artists, Panels including the Legendary Reginald “Reggio the Hoofer” McLaughlin and More are part of the Annual Tap Weekend
CHICAGO - Chicago Tap Allstars, a collaboration between M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Chicago’s premier Tap collective, and Chicago Tap Theatre, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023, announces its annual National Tap Dance Weekend that includes workshops, lectures, a viewing party and a Tap Jam, Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21 at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Tickets for events vary from free to $250 for a multi-event participation. Information, registration and tickets may be found at ChicagoTapTheatre.org or MADDRhythms.com.
“Chicago Tap Allstars’ mission is to audaciously amplify the excellence of Chicago Tap Dance by creating an equitable, healing and inclusive community through education, performances and advocacy," said Chicago Tap Theatre Artistic Director Mark Yonally.
“National Tap Dance Weekend is the perfect opportunity to celebrate and amplify our mission in Chicago.”“National Tap Dance Day is May 25 and Chicago Tap Allstars begins the celebration the weekend before with an unforgettable weekend of Tap,” said M.A.D.D. Rhythms Artistic Director Bril Barrett. “With many of Chicago’s most accomplished Tap talents teaching, speaking and participating, the weekend has something for everyone of all skill levels and those just wanting to learn about this art form that goes back more than 300 years.
”Chicago Tap Allstars events are held at the Harold Washington Cultural Center,
4701 S. Martin Luther King Dr, unless otherwise noted. The 2023 National Tap Dance Weekend includes, in chronological order:
Saturday, May 21
WORKSHOPS
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Ticket for the entire day: $150, $250 for the entire weekend of classes.
Classes for intermediate and advanced skill levels taught by instructors
Bril Barrett, Marty Bronson, Starinah “Star” Dixon, Sterling Harris, Nico Rubio and Mark Yonally.
LUNCH AND TAP DANCE PANEL
12 p.m.
FREE
Chicago Tap Theatre Artistic Director Mark Yonally and M.A.D.D. Rhythms Artistic Director Bril Barrett lead a discussion on the state of Tap in Chicago. This lunch and panel is open to the public, with attendees encouraged to bring lunch and participate in the Q+A session at the end of the discussion.
TAP JAM3 p.m.FREEThe first day of National Tap Dance Weekend concludes with a Tap Jam that is open to weekend participants and the public. The Tap Jam pays homage to hoofers of old and the traditions they created as the dancers of today share new ideas, express themselves, practice the craft and show where Tap came from and where it is going.
Sunday, May 22
WORKSHOPS
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Ticket for the entire day: $150, $250 for the entire weekend of classes.
Classes for intermediate and advanced skill levels taught by instructors
Jenai Cutcher, Tre Dumas, Jay Fagan, Donnetta “LilBit” Jackson, Matt Pospeschil and Molly Smith. In addition, Reginald “Reggio the Hoofer” McLaughlin will be teaching an open “Copasetic Legacy” class on Sunday.
LUNCH AND HERITAGE PANEL WITH REGINALD “REGGIO THE HOOFER” MCLAUGHLIN
12 p.m.
FREE
Reginald “Reggio the Hoofer” McLaughlin, a 2021 NEA National Heritage fellow, is the special guest for the Heritage Panel during the 2023 National Tap Dance Weekend. “Reggio the Hoofer” is Chicago’s master of tap dancing, who has for more than 50 years, brought his inspired distinctive “hoofing” to the nation’s stages including classrooms, senior centers, streets and festivals while earning a respected place as a passionate performer and teacher who has kept this dance tradition alive. This lunch and panel is open to the public, with attendees encouraged to bring lunch and participate in the Q+A session at the end of the discussion.
Footage Viewing Party
4:30 p.m.
FREE
Location to be announced
National Tap Dance Weekend concludes with a Footage Viewing Party that is open to weekend participants and the public.
