CHICAGO - 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:
NEW COMPANY MEMBERS
M.A.D.D. Rhythms is proud to announce the addition of three new professional company members: Sterling Harris, Case Prime and William Wims.
Sterling Harris, a Chicago native, fell in love with tap at the age of seven years old and hasn’t stopped dancing since. At age 11, he joined Studio One Dance Theatre and began training under Lee Howard and Martin “Tre” Dumas. Harris also had the privilege of studying Jump Rhythm Technique under the mentorship of Billy Siegenfeld. He began dancing professionally immediately after undergrad and joined Chicago Tap Theatre where he is currently the rehearsal director. Off the wood, he graduated from Northwestern with a B.A. in Neuroscience and is a research study coordinator in the Feinberg School of Medicine.
Case Prime is originally from Upstate New York and started his professional dancing with Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT). After two years at CTT, he laced up his shoes as an apprentice with M.A.D.D. Rhythms and now as a company member where he is thrilled to continue his growth in dance in Chicago.
William Wims was born and raised in Bronzeville. He was introduced to tap dance at age 14 by joining M.A.D.D. Rhythms After School Matters program where he was taught with other local teens, receiving instruction from Bril Barrett, Star Dixon, Donnetta Jackson and many others. With After School Matters, Wims performed around the city at venues and events such as Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Lollapalooza and others. Shortly after the program ended, at age 16, he began apprenticing with the M.A.D.D. Rhythms professional company.
COMMUNITY TAP JAMS
- Friday, Feb. 11 at 8 p.m.
- Friday, March 11 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.
NEW M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS PODCAST NETWORK
Tuesday, Feb. 1 - “Gasps From A Dying Art Form,” hosted by Company Member Tristan Bruns
Monday, Feb. 14 - “The Either/And Podcast w/ Bil Barrett,” hosted by Executive Director Bril Barrett.
M.A.D.D Rhythms announces the launch of 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/ Bil 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.
CLASSES
M.A.D.D Rhythms Tap Academy
NOW - March 26, 2022
The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy is back in the new year with “Tap for Tots” for kids, “Grown & Sexy” for adults and more. Registration is available now for beginners, ages 2 years old and older, adults and professionals. Classes are offered in person or virtually for all interested students. The Academy is taught by Bril Barrett, Star Dixon and members of M.A.D.D. Rhythms.
2022 FUNDRAISER
Support M.A.D.D. Rhythms
M.A.D.D. Rhythms is set to embark on the next leg of its journey. After a very productive 2020-2021 season, the Company is poised to continue on its upward trajectory, which begins with an ambitious new fundraising campaign 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.
INDIVIDUAL TAP ARTIST GRANT
Making A Difference Dancing Rhythms Organization, the non-profit arm of M.A.D.D. Rhythms, will announce 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.
NATIONAL TAP DANCE DAY 2022
National Tap Dance Weekend - Saturday, May 21
National Tap Dance Day - Wednesday, May 25
Celebrating National Tap Dance Day, M.A.D.D. Rhythms partners with Chicago Tap Theatre for a weekend of classes and intensives and a showing of the 1989 film “Tap,” written and directed by Nick Castle and starring Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jr. on National Tap Dance Day, Wednesday, May 25. Representing the breadth of diversity of Chicago Tap dance, this gathering is a celebration of the inclusivity, connection and talent of many of Chicago’s all-star performers.
DANCEAFRICA CHICAGO
Saturday, June 18
Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St, Chicago,
M.A.D.D. Rhythms will be performing in DanceAfrica Chicago, a celebration of African Diasporic artistry that features dance, film, music, visual art, wares, storytelling and community.
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 UPDATES
Bril Barrett named one of Newcity’s 2022 50 Players
Executive Director Bril Barrett was named one of Newcity’s “Players 2022
The Fifty People Who Really Perform for Chicago” in the publication’s January 2022 issue.
Starinah “Star” Dixon on Faculty at RIFF Dallas Tap Festival
M.A.D.D. Rhythms Assistant Director Star Dixon was on faculty for RIFF Dallas, January 14 - 17.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Starinah “Star” Dixon and Donnetta “LilBit” Jackson are Nominated in Chicago Reader’s “Best of Chicago” Poll
M.A.D.D. Rhythms, M.A.D.D. Rhythms Assistant Director Star Dixon and Rehearsal Director Donnetta “LilBit” Jackson are nominated in the Chicago Reader’s “Best of Chicago” poll. M.A.D.D. Rhythms (Aisha by Star Dixon) is nominated for “Best Original Digital Content (Dance), Star Dixon is nominated for “Best Choreographer” and LilBit Jackson for “Best Dancer.” Voting is through February 3 here.
Izaiah Harris in Encores’ The Tap Dance Kid at New York City Center
M.A.D.D. Rhythm’s Company Member Izaiah Harris is to perform in the ensemble of The Tap Dance Kid as part of New York City Center’s 2022 Encores season, the Tony-honored series of revivals celebrating American musical theater, now in its 28th year, February 2 - 6.
Bril Barrett and Starinah “Star” Dixon on Faculty at Tap Dance Festival UK
M.A.D.D. Rhythms Executive Director Bril Barrett and Assistant Director Star Dixon are on faculty for Tap Dance Festival UK, February 12 - 21. They will participate in a range of community events, technique classes and choreography workshops available virtually and in-person during the Festival.
Bril Barrett on Faculty at Sole 2 Sole Tap Festival in Austin, TX
Bril Barrett is on faculty for 21st Annual Sole 2 Sole Tap Festival in Austin, TX, June 13 - 16. Tapestry Dance Company, North America’s oldest full-time, professional repertory tap dance company presents its annual festival of rhythm.
Tristan Bruns and Starinah “Star” Dixon perform at Copa Carnivale
Carnivale, the popular West Loop Latin-fusion restaurant and a TripAdvisor 2020 Travelers’ Choice winner, hosts Copa Carnivale, a dinner and a show featuring live music, Samba and, of course, Tap dance, featuring two of M.A.D.D. Rhythms company members. Performances are monthly, Monday, Jan. 24, Thursday, Feb. 10 and Thursday, Feb. 24.
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.
Bril Barrett - photo by William Frederking
Tristan Bruns - photo by William Frederking
Starinah "Star" Dixon - photo by William Frederking
Izaiah Harris - photo by William Frederking