Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival
Out of the different styles of dancing I have done competitively, the one I have never tried is tap dance. And it’s not because I don’t have an interest in it, it’s because for some reason, I never took the interest in this style. But there’s one thing I can tell you, the Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival 2010 is going to be a lot of fun!
The 11th annual Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival will once again be celebrating the art of tap dance September 3 – 5. Everyone from newcomers to professionals, youngsters and adults, have a chance to learn how to tap from an incredible group of professional tap dancers sharing their knowledge and artistry. The festival will also feature performances and presentations, along with some of the most glorious moments in tap dance, and has the world’s top tap dancers playing a major role.
Presented by the Vancouver Tap Dance Society, the Festival is proud of the exciting line up of inspired and expert teachers from the past, present and future of tap, who will take your dancing to a new level of excellence. The talent includes New York’s legendary Harold Cromer, making his inaugural visit to Vancouver showcasing his masterpiece, Opus One, created by Harold in 1943.
Also returning is tap star, Jason Samuels Smith, whose choreography and performance credits include So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars, offering a 3 day course with his intricate rhythms and original style. And returning is Boston based, Dianne “Lady Di” Walker who has a 30 year career spanning Broadway, TV, film and concerts.
Other artists who are part of the faculty are; Sarah Reich from Los Angeles, Terry Brock from Portland who has performed with Gregory Hines, Savion Glover and the Nicholas Brothers; performers and teachers Cheryl Johnson and Jessie Sawyers from Seattle, Jason Janas, a charter member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble, to name a few, as well as local talents Jeff Hyslop and Brock Jellison, the solo dancer in the spotlight at the Olympic opening.
The organizers of the Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival have been generous to give me a pair of tickets to the Tap Grace show on September 4, 2010 at 8:00 at the Norman Rothstein Theatre (near Oak and 41st) and 2 tickets to the Hot Feet event September 5, 2010 at 8:30pm at the Grandview Ballroom. I will draw two separate winners on September 1st, 2010 at 3pm. You can check the events lineup here.
To enter this draw, all you need to do is tell me about the one style of dancing you would want to learn if given the chance.
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I’d love to learn Salsa but don’t have the footwork ability for it:(
I’ve done many styles of dance: ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop, flamenco, afro cuban and bollywood. Though I’ve always wanted to try Capoeira – because not only do I love roundhouse kicks but it would also help me start my break dancing career…
I would love to learn SAMBA! I take Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art, with Grupo Axé Capoeira at 45 West Hastings Street and they also teach a variety of Afro-Brazilian dances including Samba, but I am not sure I have the coordination for it.
As a kid, I loved tap dancing (I always pretended I was a tap dancer when I wore my black patent leather dress shoes-lol) and now, my own 9-year-old son thinks tap dancing is super cool.
If I won these tickets, I would take my son not only ’cause he loves tap dancing, but also because September 4th is coincidentally his 10th birthday!
I would love, love, love to learn spanish flamenco dancing, because you get to stamp out incredible rhythms, clap out wild beats with your hands and dance your heart out. Okay, the outfits are pretty cool too.
I think flamenco is the far distant gypsy cousin of tap. If these tickets come by way I will send a big Ole! to the universe.
I would love to learn hwo to tap dance. I love the sounds tap shoes make.
I would love to learn Salsa dancing!
I had always wanted to tap dance. When I was a kid I did a lot of sports, but no dance. A few years ago I started tap dancing at Harbour Dance and love it!
I’ve always wanted to learn Flamenco, the feet seem somewhat similar to tap, but the attitude–the posture, the skirt movement is way more powerful and sexy.
I’d love to learn how to Salsa! or even ball room dancing would be awesome!
What is the style of dance I haven’t wanted to learn! Tap, in particular hoofing, is one of my most favourites. The Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival is an absolute treat. It’s amazing to me the level of tap talent in this city and their ability to bring the masters here to teach. I still remember Lady Di teaching me a timestep and Jimmy Slade doing the slide. And because of the festival, I had the pleasure of learning from Cholly Atkins of motown fame.
I would love to learn how to dance Tango, I think is one of the most passionate styles of dancing.
Please listen to “Soul of the Tango” played by Yo-Yo Ma, love it!