If you’ve had an
inkling to tap dance, here’s your chance: Learn with seasoned tap dancers who share
New York City roots at the sixth annual Point Tap Festival, hosted by the
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Held Thursday
through Saturday, Aug. 6-8, the festival was created by Jeannie Hill, an
associate professor of dance. She and internationally known tap artists Max
Pollak, Olivia Rosenkrantz, Mark Goodman and Lynn Schwab will bring together
tap students of all abilities for three days of workshops and performances. The
public is welcome to participate.
“Tap dancing
provides an international language of rhythm that brings people together. It
spans generations and embraces all genres of music,” said Hill. “Tap dancers
come in all shapes and sizes. I
absolutely love the inclusivity of this dance form.”
The festival
offers a variety of tap classes for a range of abilities, from beginners with
little or no experience to those with advanced skills.
For those who
have never tapped and want to give it a try, Hill will teach a Saturday
beginner class from 12:30-2 p.m. The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for ages 12
and under. Tap shoes are not required.
“A lot of people
harbor a secret desire to tap dance,” said Hill. “This is a great way to
unleash the joy of making rhythm while dancing.”
Stevens Point resident
Cindy McCabe had never taken dance or tap before, but out of curiosity, she
attended the first tap festival.
“I loved it,”
said McCabe, now attending for the sixth time. After that first experience, she
bought a pair of tap shoes and has continued with local tap classes ever since.
“It’s totally
invigorating without being too draining,” said McCabe, a UW-Stevens Point
mathematics professor. “It’s so versatile and interesting. It’s my favorite
hobby.”
Tap dancing also
inspired her to collaborate with Hill for UW-Stevens Point’s “Danstage 2012”
concert. “The Sum is Greater” featured choreography based on the rhythmic
connections McCabe and Hill discovered by exploring repetitions in modular
arithmetic.
McCabe encourages
those who are shy or have little dancing experience to consider attending the
festival.
“It’s not
intimidating at all,” she said, as the instructors and classes are inclusive
and welcoming. “Beginning classes teach you basic sounds and then you can start
mixing it up. There are always new things to learn and hear.”
Over the last five
years, the festival has drawn participants from across the country, including Chicago,
New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Colorado and Marseilles, France.
“There’s
something very inspiring about being with others who are intrigued and excited
by the same activity,” said Hill. “It’s joyful.”
The instructors
bring award-winning tap skills and teaching methods that create a friendly and
challenging environment, she said. “It’s an incredible opportunity for the
participants to build a relationship with their teachers by having three days
of intense study. Those connections continue long after the workshop ends.”
Registrations are
being accepted for this year’s Point Tap Festival. Attendees may choose the full
package with 12 classes or a half package with six classes. Both include daily
events and tickets to the festival show on Saturday. Single master classes are
also available. For more information and registration, go to http://pointtap.wordpress.com. Registrations will also be
accepted at the door.
Public
Point Tap Festival events
Friday,
Aug. 7, 12:30-1:30 p.m., faculty tap rap lunch, a question-and-answer session
with instructors, Noel Fine Arts Center Room 283, free
Friday,
Aug. 7, 7 p.m., tap jam session, all dancers and musicians are welcome, Mathias
Mitchell Public Square, Stevens Point, free
Saturday,
Aug. 8, 8 p.m. festival show and reception, Noel Fine Arts Center Room 136, $15
for adults at the door, ages 12 years and under free
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