CHICAGO - M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Chicago’s premier tap collective, continues its 20th Anniversary celebration in May with a special event ““Chicago Tap All Stars - Bridging The Gap One Step At A Time” celebrating National Tap Dance Day with Chicago Tap Theatre, the conclusion of the Vans “Foot the Bill” program, two new video premieres by principal dancers Tristan Bruns and Starinah “Star” Dixon and at its monthly “2nd Fridays Tap Jams,” Friday, May 14 at 8 p.m. CDT. The videos will premiere throughout May on M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ YouTube channel. Information on these special 20th Anniversary events and more may be found at MADDRhythms.com.
“One of our deep held beliefs is ‘Respect the Dance!” And we embrace that in May with National Tap Dance Day as we join our friends at Chicago Tap Theatre to make sure this day is celebrated in the only way we can - united through dance. We look forward to commemorating the birth of the legendary Bill Robinson and National Tap Dance Day,” said Bril Barrett, founder of M.A.D.D. Rhythms. “We also continue to share our company members' skills with more new video drops and our 2nd Fridays Tap Jams where people of all levels may join us in-person and virtually.”
May M.A.D.D. Rhythms events include, in chronological order:
VANS “FOOT THE BILL”
M.A.D.D. Rhythms-designed Vans T-shirt and Sneaker
PROMOTION EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 11
M.A.D.D. Rhythms has been selected by Vans as part of Vans’ “Foot the Bill” program that supports small business partners throughout the country. Vans is teaming up with independent shops and community driven spaces, like M.A.D.D. Rhythms, to create custom footwear and apparel.
Available at https://www.vans.com/footthebill?partner=madd-rhythms
2nd FRIDAYS TAP JAMS
Friday, May 14 at 8 p.m. CDT - “2nd Fridays Tap Jams” hosted by Bril Barrett
Virtual and In-Person at Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street Entrance)
The second Friday of each month, M.A.D.D. Rhythms hosts “2nd Fridays Tap Jams” a FREE and open to the public celebration of Tap. Individuals may join via Zoom or in person, following all social distancing protocols. “2nd Friday 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. Each “2nd Fridays Tap Jams” is a unique event involving members of the M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ company, guest artists and live musicians.
SPECIAL EVENT
Saturday, May 22 - A Full Day of Event
National Tap Dance Celebration
“Chicago Tap All Stars - Bridging The Gap One Step At A Time”
Streaming available on a variety of platforms - all details at MADDRhythms.com
In honor of National Tap Dance Day, M.A.D.D. Rhythms partners with Chicago Tap Theatre to bring Chicago an unforgettable celebration of Tap. Celebrate National Tap Dance Day 2021 at the premiere virtual production by Chicago Tap All-Stars. Tap Dance Day Celebration: Bridging the Gap One Step at a Time will include intermediate and advanced classes, a lecture, a time for crosstown (or cross-continent!) connection, and a performance featuring many of Chicago’s all-star tap performers. Every event is streamed online, open to all ages, and for all tap dance enthusiasts.
VIDEO DROP
Tuesday, May 25 at 5 P.M.
National Tap Dance Day
"Aisha" by Assistant Director Starinah “Star” Dixon featuring “Aisha” by John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner
Performers include: Ivy Anderson, Tristan Bruns, Andrew Carr, Megan Davis, Starinah “Star” Dixon, Alexandrya Fryson, Hannah Geiser, Izaiah Harris, Sterling Harris, Caleb Jackson, Donnetta Jackson, Keyana Latimer, Devin Mosely, Case Prime, KJ Sheldon, Molly Sute, Davon Suttles and William Wims
The first time that choreographer Starinah “Star” Dixon heard “Aisha,” written by McCoy Tyner and performed by the legendary John Coltrane, she was immediately drawn to the song and could feel Coltrane creating a vivid visual with the music that, for Dixon, symbolized love. Later, Dixon found out Tyner wrote this song for his wife and it all made sense—the music, the energy and the feelings this song created inspired Dixon to move.
VIDEO DROP
Tuesday, May 25 at 7 P.M.
National Tap Dance Day
“The B.S. Shuffle” by Tristan Bruns featuring “Boogie Stop Shuffle” by Charles Mingus
Performers include: Bril Barrett, Tristan Bruns, Andrew Carr, Megan Davis, Starinah “Star” Dixon, Alexandrya Fryson, Hannah Geiser, Izaiah Harris, Sterling Harris, Caleb Jackson, Donnetta Jackson, Keyana Latimer, Devin Mosely, Case Prime, KJ Sheldon, Molly Sute, Davon Suttles and William Wims
Charles Mingus’ music may seem chaotic, especially “Boogie Stop Shuffle,” whose underlying and catchy bass melody and rhythm belie its structural complexity. Yet, Mingus was a strict composer and, at least for his first album, “Ah, Um,” had most of the parts thoroughly composed—even the various instrumentalists’ solos. Tristan Bruns’ piece, “The B.S. Shuffle,” captures that sense of controlled chaos with his choice of syncopated and accented rhythms and a “dance-party-esque” vibe, where dancers seem to be coming at the viewer from every direction. There are also solo improvisations by the dancers of M.A.D.D. Rhythms using jazz-inspired expressions, but, as Mingus himself would often prove an obdurate proponent of his own visions, Bruns, too, makes a stand against the maestro himself, hoping that he would agree with his choice through a shared obduracy towards their art.
The production team for the videos “Aisha” and “The B.S. Shuffle” includes
Adam Salinas (director/editor), Alexander Lakin (director of photography), Gianna Aquilina (1st assistant camera) and Chris O'Malley (gaffer).
ABOUT TRISTAN BRUNS, choreographer/performer
Tristan Bruns is a member of M.A.D.D. Rhythms where he is also the copywriter and member of the Advisory Board. A Chicago tap dancer who has received training under Donna Johnson, Ted Louis Levy, Sam Weber and Martin “Tre” Dumas III, Bruns has been a recurring faculty member of notable tap festivals including Circle City Tap Festival, Rhythm World and The Chicago Tap Summit. Bruns is also a member of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s resident ensemble, Stone Soup Rhythms and has performed as a guest artist with other Chicago dance companies such as the Cartier Collective, Chicago Dance Crash and Matter Dance. He is the director of Tapman Production which has produced four seasons of new works and has performed in production around Chicago including Drury Lane’s 42nd Street and Porchlight Music Theatre’s Sophisticated Ladies. Nationally, he has been a performer and featured soloist at Celtic Fyre at the Busch Gardens Theme Park in Virginia and The Showboat Branson Belle in Missouri and internationally, at the Beijing International Dance Festival in China, the Reus Tap Dance Festival in Spain and The Poznan Jazz Festival in Poland. Other notable performances include “Supreme Love” choreographed by Jumaane Taylor, “The Steve Harvey Show” with M.A.D.D. Rhythms, “The Inside/Out Stage” at Jacob’s Pillow with Subject:Matter dance company and the MGM Grand for the Chinese television show “Super Dancer Born Tonight.”
ABOUT STARINAH “STAR” DIXON, choreographer/performer
Starinah “Star” Dixon is an assistant director, choreographer and original principal dancer of world renowned tap company, M.A.D.D. Rhythms. She has taught and performed at the most distinguished tap festivals in the country including The L.A. Tap Fest, DC Tap Fest, RIFF Dallas, Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Rhythm World and M.A.D.D. Rhythms own Chicago Tap Summit. She’s performed internationally including in Poland, Japan and Brazil. Performance venues include Jacob’s Pillow, Kennedy Center and the Lincoln Center. Outside of M.A.D.D. Rhythms, she’s performed as a guest with such companies as Michelle Dorrance’s Dorrance Dance and Savion Glover’s All Funk’d Up. Dixon is currently on staff at numerous dance studios in and around Chicago.
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.
Left to Right - M.A.D.D. Rhythms May Video Creators - Tristan Bruns and Starinah "Star" Dixon