May 24–31, 2001

arts picks|dance

National Tap Dance Day

Tap dancing is all about making a joyful noise with one’s feet. So we’re in for a heapin’ helpin’ of happy music as feet brush, flap, riff, stomp, shuffle, toe, heel and, of course, hoof, in a series of programs celebrating National Tap Dance Day. That’s right, there’s a special day — May 25 — signed into law by the elder President George Bush no less, honoring tap dance as a uniquely American art form. That specific date was chosen because it’s the birthday of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, a giant of the genre.

Philadelphia has its own masters of tap, LaVaughn Robinson and Germaine Ingram (left) among them, both of whom will lead dance classes as part of the celebration. According to Arthur Leo Taylor, co-director of presenting organization Tap Team Two & Co., Robinson’s style is "straight from the street — he does an original form of hoofing as relates to Philadelphia." And Ingram, who studied and collaborated with Robinson, "has very complex intricate rhythms."

Two local up-and-comers teach their own special steps: Jarrodd Beverly adds hip-hop to the mix, while Robyn Watson brings on the funk. Other instructors include Dianne "Lady Di" Walker, of Boston, a.k.a. the "Ella Fitzgerald of Tap Dance" — last seen in town this past spring in Savion Glover’s Foot Notes at the Merriam Theater. She’s into light stepping à la Broadway. Taylor leads a children’s workshop, showing small fry how to do the seven basic steps of tap.

You’ll need your own tap shoes to take part in any of the workshops. But even the soleless can join in the Tap Jam, where tap shoes in adult and children’s sizes will be provided for free. The jam is a get-down good-time deal. "We dance till we’re silly," says Taylor.

If you just like to watch, there’s a teacher/student showcase. "You’ll get a chance to see a variety of styles," notes Taylor. "A lot people see tap as one-dimensional, but it’s not. Each master has their own style… it’s about how expressive the feet can really be."

—Deni Kasrel

May 25-27. Tap Jam, May 25, 8 p.m. -11 p.m., Community Education Center, 3500 Lancaster Avenue. Teacher/student showcase at the Drake Theater, 1512 Spruce St., 7:30 p.m. For workshop schedule and additional information call 215-849-3693, or visit www.tapteam2.com.