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 JAM
3 p.m.
FREE
The 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.
ABOUT CHICAGO TAP THEATRE
Founded in 2002, Chicago Tap Theatre is a growing and vibrant dance company dedicated to preserving the quintessentially American dance form of tap while taking it to the next level of creativity, innovation and quality. CTT performs exclusively with live music provided by some of Chicago’s finest musicians playing everything from Duke Ellington to David Bowie and many artists in between. Under the dynamic direction of master teacher and performer Mark Yonally, CTT has gained a loyal and sizable following in Chicago and continues to tour both nationally and internationally. Having pioneered the “tap opera” format, which tells stories with compelling characters and intriguing plots, CTT has used the language of tap dance, live music and narration to move audiences for over 20 years.
ABOUT M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS
M.A.D.D. (Making A Difference Dancing) Rhythms, now in its 22nd year, is a phenomenal tap dance collective whose “SOLE” purpose is to spread the love and joy of tap worldwide. What started as Bril Barrett and Martin Dumas III’s formula for giving back, is now, in its 21st year, a full-fledged 501 (c) 3 performing arts company, quickly gaining a reputation for representing the true essence of tap: RHYTHM! The company is composed of young, versatile tap dancers from all over Chicago. Their ages range from 17 to 45 years old, and their backgrounds are equally diverse. The one thing they all have in common is a love for “the dance.”
M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ mission is to preserve, promote and contribute to this art form called tap. They teach its history, represent its culture and advocate for its future. M.A.D.D. Rhythms use this beautiful dance/music form to make a difference in the under-served communities of this world by connecting and caring for the youth of this world. Believing that having access and options gives a child a greater chance at a positive life, M.A.D.D. Rhythms spread the joy, love, discipline and expression of tap to as many children as they humanly can!
M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ performance opportunities, in short, have included: Dance Africa Chicago, Dance Chicago, The Stars of “Dance Chicago” in Istanbul, Turkey, M.A.D.D. Rhythms Canada’s “Release Yourself” and “Great Feets of Rhythm,” Downbeats Canada’s “Embrace the Rhythm,” Miami’s Art-Deco Festival, An Expo for Today’s Black Woman, Kwanzaa Festival, The African Festival of the Arts, St. Louis Tap Festival, Boys and Girls Clubs National Conference, the Chicago Historical Society’s Summer Performance Series, and DuSable Museum’s educational theater series. They have also produced ten full-length productions, created the annual Chicago Tap Summit and educated more than 200 students via The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy.
In an effort to continuously give back to their communities, they have also worked with many public and private schools and volunteered performances for various community affiliated organizations including A.C.E.S. (Athletes Committed to Educating Students), Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, Nikola Tesla Alternative High School for Girls, TCA Health and Nutrition Fair, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and Rainbow House.
The Chicago Tap Allstars National Tap Dance Weekend is sponsored by the Harold Washington Cultural Center and a CityArts grant from The city of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).
Bril Barrett of M.A.D.D. Rhythms Photo by William Frederking
Bril Barrett of M.A.D.D. Rhythms Photo by William Frederking
Sterling Harris Photo by Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
(center) Tre Dumas, Bril Barrett, Nico Rubio, Donnetta ‘Lilbit’ Jackson and Izaiah Harris Photo by Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
