M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Chicago’s premier tap collective, continues its 20th Anniversary Season with the return of the annual Chicago Tap Summit, Friday, Oct. 1 - Sunday, Oct. 3, at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
The 2021 festivities, designed to celebrate the tap dance community, feature a hybrid format of classes, panels, performances, world premieres and more with M.A.D.D. Rhythms faculty, Chicago tap pioneers and dance boundary breakers among many others. The summit is open to the public with options for beginner, intermediate and advanced dancers. Tickets for the Chicago Tap Summit are various prices and on sale now. Information on all of the special 20th Anniversary events and the 2021 Chicago Tap Summit may be found at MADDRhythms.com.
“We are thrilled to once again be able to host our annual Chicago Tap Summit,” said M.A.D.D. Rhythms Founder Bril Barrett. “Following last year’s fully virtual format, we are introducing a new hybrid structure to allow our fellow dance lovers the ability to join us in Chicago or virtually from around the world. From in-person classes taught by our excellent M.A.D.D. Rhythms faculty to online workshops, panel discussions, tap jams and cutting contests, we cannot wait to celebrate and ‘Respect the Dance’ with the Tap community.”
SPECIAL EVENT
Chicago Tap Summit
- Friday, Oct. 1 - Sunday, Oct. 3
- Times vary by event
- Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
- Hybrid
- Various costs
The premier Illinois tap dancing event of the year presented by M.A.D.D. Rhythms is the Chicago Tap Summit. Returning in October with three days of dance, discussion and classes while celebrating the tap dance community. Faculty scheduled to attend include all current M.A.D.D. Rhythms Company members including Bril Barrett, Tristan Burns, Andrew Carr, Megan Dixon, Star Dixon, Alexandrya Fryson Donnetta Jackson and KJ Sheldon as well as Ian Berg, Nora Clark, Ja’Bowen Dixon, Martin “Tre” Dumas, Jay Fagan, Latrell Garnett,Victoria Jones, Jimmy Payne Jr., Nico Rubio, Sarah Savelli and Mark Yonally.
CHICAGO TAP SUMMIT SPECIAL EVENT
WORLD PREMIERE
"Hoofin' It: The Untold Story of the Founders of Tap"
- Presented by Chicago Dancemakers Forum Project
- Saturday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.
- Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
- $50
- In-Person
"Hoofin’ It: The Untold Story of the Founders of Tap" is a trans-media experience encompassing dance pieces interspersed with historical footage and interview clips. Each piece will tell a specific story. Improvisation is a keystone of any jazz-vernacular art form and will be a centerpiece of the presentation. Live instrumentalists, vocalists and dancers will work together as musicians. The libretto will be an academically rigorous collection drawn from the research process. Barrett will weave together these art forms and disciplines into one cohesive narrative: the story of the original founders of tap.
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 CHICAGO DANCEMAKERS FORUM
Developed in 2003, Chicago Dancemakers Forum catalyzes the growth and artistic fulfillment of Chicago’s dancemakers by providing time and resources for in-depth exploration and creation. It builds broad support for the field of dance in Chicago by facilitating robust interaction among dancemakers and with the public.
18 years later, Chicago Dancemakers Forum has granted over $1.28 million to Chicago’s aesthetically and culturally diverse dancemakers, primarily through its flagship Lab Artists program, which provides cash grants, artistic exchange, and tailored support for selected artists through an extended period of research and creation. In 2015-17 Chicago Dancemakers Forum led the way with the New England Foundation for the Arts in bringing the Regional Dance Development Initiative to Chicago. In 2017 Chicago Dancemakers increased the number of Lab Artists from 4 to 6, and in 2020 grants to Lab Artists were increased from $15K to $20K. Since 2014, Chicago Dancemakers Forum has also offered public programs which build bridges across genres, identities and geographies within the broader dance community and for the public, including workshops, public showings, and critical forums.
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.
One of the many classes that were available during M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Summit 2019. Photo by Victoria Jones
Ian Berg instructs a class during M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Summit 2019. Photo by Victoria Jones
Tristan Bruns leads a class at M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Summit 2019. Photo by Victoria Jones
Jumaane Taylor shares wisdom with M.A.D.D. Rhythms After School Program students participating in a class at M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Summit 2019. Photo by Victoria Jones
George (Mo'Leggs) Patterson instructs students at a class from M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Summit 2019. Photo by Victoria Jones
Ja'bowen Dixon offers instruction in one of the classes available at M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Summit 2019. Photo by Victoria Jones
(L to R): Starinah "Star" Dixon, Ian Berg, Sarah Savelli, Bril Barrett, Nico Rubio, Donnetta "LilBit" Jackson and Jumaane Taylor participate in a discussion held during M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Summit 2019. Photo by Victoria Jones