CHICAGO - M.A.D.D. Rhythms, for more than two decades Chicago’s premier tap collective, is proud to announce the return of its Chicago Tap Summit, Friday, Sept. 30 - Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The 2022 summit, created and curated to celebrate the Tap dance community, includes classes, panels, performances, a Saturday night world premieres and more with M.A.D.D. Rhythms faculty, Chicago Tap pioneers and dance boundary breakers from across the country among many others. The summit is open to the public with options for beginner, intermediate and advanced dancers. Tickets for the Chicago Tap Summit go on sale Monday, Aug. 29 at 12 p.m. with information and registration at https://bit.ly/ChicagoTapSummit.
“The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Summit, always held in our hometown of Chicago, is a highlight on the global Tap calendar,” said M.A.D.D. Rhythms Founder Bril Barrett. “There is something for everyone at the Tap Summing, a person of any skill and interest level will be able to experience the best in Tap. In addition, we are excited for audiences to experience LilBit’s world premiere celebrating M.A.D.D. Rhythms and the music of the 90’s.”
The Chicago Tap Summit, Friday, Sept. 30 - Sunday, Oct. 2 includes
Classes
- Times vary by event
- Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
- Various costs
Faculty scheduled to attend include all current M.A.D.D. Rhythms Company members including Ivy Anderson, Bril Barrett, Tristan Bruns, Andrew Carr, Starinah “Star” Dixon, Alexandrya Fryson, Sterling Harris, Caleb Jackson, Donnetta “LilBit'' Jackson, Case Prime and William Wims as well as Ian Berg, Ja’bowen Dixon, Martin Dumas III, Jay Fagan, Ayrie King III aka Mr. Taps, Reginald “Reggio The Hoofer'' McLaughlin, Nico Rubio, Sarah Savelli and Mark Yonally.
Performance
WORLD PREMIERE
“A M.A.D.D. Mixtape”
- Saturday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m.
- Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
- $20 Advance $30 Door
- In-Person
- Created, Choreographed and Directed by Donnetta “LilBit” Jackson
- Assistant Directed by Davon Suttles
- Additional Choreography by Starinah “Star” Dixon, Andrew Carr, Caleb Jackson, Alexandrya Fryson and Bril Barrett
"A M.A.D.D. Mixtape” is a showcase of African Diasporic lineage and the rhythmic connections of Tap and Footwork. The world premiere takes the party including guest performers Ayodele and Creation from the club to the stage and brings the audience along for the choreographic ride. Some of Hip-hop and R&B's most treasured gems provide the musical backdrop as DeeJayd9_3 spins live on stage.
NOTE: All Chicago Tap Summit classes, panels, performances, etc. are subject to change. For the most up to date information please visit, MADDRhythms.com.
ABOUT YEAR OF CHICAGO DANCE
In deep partnership with the local dance community, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) have designated 2022 as the Year of Chicago Dance. This citywide, year-long focus on dance is the first of its kind in the U.S. The collaborative initiative will activate Chicago’s dance industry to address critical issues facing dancers and the field of dance including funding, space, and capacity building — and to consider the sustainability of this work. The Year of Chicago Dance will, of course, also include dance performances, social dancing, and special events for the public in dozens of venues throughout the city. The 2022 Year of Chicago Dance follows the successes of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020/21 initiatives, which highlighted Chicago's public art, our creative youth, and the city's vibrant theatre and music scenes. Partners include dance service organizations Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, Chicago Dancemakers Forum, and See Chicago Dance — as well as Art on theMART, Night Out in the Parks at the Chicago Park District and many other presenters and funders. For updates throughout the year, visit Chicago.gov/Dance and and YearofChicagoDance.com and join the conversation on social media using #YearofChicagoDance.
ABOUT M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS
M.A.D.D. (Making A Difference Dancing) Rhythms 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 20th 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 theatre series. They have also produced nine 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 Summit is funded in part by a CityArts Grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The world premiere of “A M.A.D.D. Mixtape,” Saturday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., created, choreographed and directed by Donnetta "Lil Bit" Jackson.