M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Chicago’s premier tap collective, begins the new year with the announcement of new company members, monthly Community Tap Jams, classes, a fundraiser, the launch of a podcast network and more. More information at MADDRhythms.com.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms updates and events include
INDIVIDUAL TAP ARTIST GRANT
Making A Difference Dancing Rhythms Organization, the non-profit arm of M.A.D.D. Rhythms announced the recipients of the 2021 Individual Tap Artist Grant, a monetary grant for Chicago-based artists who exhibit exceptional skill and dedication to the art of tap dance. The Individual Tap Artist Grant is a flexible $5,000 annual grant and is designed to conform to the financial needs of the selected artists. "We appreciate the Martha Struthers Farley and Donald C. Farley, Jr. Family Foundation for making these grants possible. This support offers dancers the opportunity to explore Tap for themselves, increase their knowledge of its history and enhance their skills," said Executive Director Bril Barrett.
This year’s recipients are Ivy Anderson, Tristan Bruns, Andrew Carr, Starinah “Star” Dixon, Alexandrya Fryson, Donnetta “LilBit” Jackson and MollySute.
CLASSES
M.A.D.D Rhythms Tap Academy - “Grown and Sexy”
July 6 - August 25
The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy is back with “Grown & Sexy” for adults and more. Registration is available now for adults and professionals. Classes are offered in person or virtually for all interested students. The Academy is taught by Bril Barrett, Starinah “Star” Dixon and members of M.A.D.D. Rhythms.
2022 FUNDRAISER
Support M.A.D.D. Rhythms
M.A.D.D. Rhythms continues the next leg of its journey. After a very productive 2020-2021 season, the Company continues its upward trajectory, which began with an ambitious new fundraising campaign and continues in 2022 with the goals of improving its studio, bolstering the community tap dance programs, paying the dancers an equitable wage and supporting its Tap Academy classes with this fundraiser.
COMMUNITY TAP JAMS
Friday, June 10 at 8 p.m.
Friday, July 8 at 8 p.m.
Friday, August 12 at 8 p.m.
Hosted by Bril Barrett
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street Entrance)
FREE
In-Person and streamed LIVE on M.A.D.D. Rhythm’s YouTube channel
Every second Friday of the month, M.A.D.D. Rhythms hosts “Community Tap Jams,” FREE and open to the public celebration of Tap. Individuals may join in person, following all social distancing protocols. “Community Tap Jams,” encourage members of the community to discover Tap or to improve their skills through paying homage to the hoofers of old and the traditions they have set and helping individuals learn to create, communicate and express themselves. “Community Tap Jams” is a unique event involving members of the M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ company, guest artists and often includes live musicians.
Website: AAAAChicago.org
STREAMING OF CHICAGO ALL-STARS “BRIDGING THE GAP: ONE STEP AT A TIME”
June 4 - June 10
Streaming: FREE - $40 (June 3 - 12)
Representing the breadth of diversity of Chicago tap dance, Chicago Tap All-Stars sponsored a performance called “Bridging the Gap: One Step at a Time” during its National Tap Dance Day events. This performance is a celebration of the inclusivity, connection and talent of many of Chicago’s all-star performers. The performance includes M.A.D.D. Rhythms and Marty + Jessica Bronson, Chicago Tap Theatre, Jenai Cutcher, Tre Dumas, Jay Fagan, Footprints, jorsTAP, Jimmy Payne Jr., Matt Pospeshil, Nico Rubio, Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre and Patti Vickerman.
Website: bit.ly/ChicagoTapAllstars
JUNETEENTH: THE CELEBRATION
Sunday, June 19 at 1 p.m.
Harold Washington Cultural Center Parking Lot
2701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.
FREE
M.A.D.D. Rhythms returns with the arts partners of the Harold Washington Cultural Center and Bronzeville businesses for its annual Juneteenth celebration. This afternoon celebration includes live dance, DJ and music, complimentary food, workshops, raffles, art and children’s activities.
Website: www.MADDRhythms.com
Phone: 773.604.1899
DANCEAFRICA CHICAGO: ROOTS
Saturday, June 25 at 7 p.m.
Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph
Tickets: TBA
DanceAfrica Chicago returns in 2022 with a one-night-only, two-hour concert performance showcasing the breadth and depth of Black dance excellence in the midwest. DanceAfrica Chicago: ROOTS will feature M.A.D.D. Rhythms and other professional companies including Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Red Clay Dance, Rennie Harris Puremovement and, of course, Muntu Dance Theatre, also accompanied by the exceptional youth of Azania Drum.
SAVE THE DATES - DC TAP FESTIVAL
Friday, Sept. 2 - Monday, Sept. 5
Bril Barrett and Starinah “Star” Dixon are on faculty at the DC Tap Festival in Washington, D.C.The DC Tap Festival, presented by the Chloé and Maud Foundation, is the largest tap festival in the world. This annual event offers master dance classes, a filmmaking workshop, panel discussions, dance battles, jam sessions and entrepreneurship courses.
Website: DCTapFest.com
SAVE THE DATES - CHICAGO TAP SUMMIT 2022
Friday, Sept. 30 - Sunday, Oct. 2
Times vary by event
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Various costs
The premier Illinois tap dancing event of the year presented by M.A.D.D. Rhythms is the Chicago Tap Summit. The Tap Summit includes three days of dance, discussion and classes while celebrating the tap dance community and premiering a new M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ performance piece.
COMPANY MEMBER UPDATES
M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS PODCAST NETWORK
M.A.D.D Rhythms continues premieres of new episodes on the M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network which includes the podcasts, “Gasps From A Dying Art Form,” hosted by Company Member Tristan Bruns and “The Either/And Podcast w/ Bril Barrett,” hosted by Executive Director Bril Barrett.
“Gasps From A Dying Art Form” is a niche podcast for tap dancers and the dance’s relationship to history and philosophy. “Gasps” episodes range from historical research, philosophical musings, book reviews and interviews.
“The Either/And Podcast w/ Bril Barrett” is Bril Barrett doing what he does best, talking about Tap dance and how it's connected to more than you know. What happens in the Tap world is a microcosm of what's happening in the real world.
NINTH ANNUAL LV TAP FEST
June 2 - June 4
Sahara Las Vegas, 2535 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV
M.A.D.D Rhythm alum Victoria Jones hosts a three-day tap dance weekend, including work- shops, master classes, tap show, live vintage footage, tap history, and tap jams – where participants interact with each other and learn from the best tap performers in Las Vegas.
Website: Sound-Steps.org
Phone: 702.551.2971
BRIL BARRETT ON FACULTY AT SOUL 2 SOLE TAP FESTIVAL IN AUSTIN
June 13 - 16
Bril Barrett is on faculty for 21st Annual Soul 2 Sole Tap Festival in Austin, Texas, June 13 - 16. Tapestry Dance Company, North America’s oldest full-time, professional repertory tap dance company presents its annual festival of rhythm.
BRIL BARRETT ON FACULTY AT DANCEAFRICA CHICAGO PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP
Sunday, Aug. 14 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Joffrey Tower, 8 E. Randolph St.
Executive Director Bril Barrett will be on faculty for a workshop hosted by DanceAfrica. The DanceAfrica Chicago Professional Workshop Series is an eight-part dance training series that explores the breadth and depth of African Diasporic dance with a monthly two-hour professional-level dance workshop.
Website: DanceAfricaChicago.org/workshops
STARINAH “STAR” DIXON ON FACULTY AT NORTH CAROLINA RHYTHM TAP FESTIVAL
June 8 - 12
Starinah “Star” Dixon will be on faculty for the North Carolina Rhythm Tap Fest held in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The NCRTapFest is a festival that includes In-Person Master Classes and Residencies.
Website: NCRTapFest.com
All programs, events and performers are subject to change.
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 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 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.
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.
Bril Barrett - photo by William Frederking
Donnetta "LilBit" Jackson - photo by William Frederking
Tristan Bruns - photo by William Frederking
Starinah "Star" Dixon - photo by William Frederking
Izaiah Harris - photo by William Frederking