M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Chicago’s premier tap collective, continues its 22nd year with the Company’s debut at the historic Auditorium Theatre, April 22, the return of National Tap Day Weekend, May 20 and 21, monthly tap jams, community events, classes and more. Additional 2023 events and updates may be found at MADDRhythms.com.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms current updates and events include:
CLASSES
M.A.D.D Rhythms Tap Academy
Spring Session: April 5 - June 17
Summer Session: July 5 - August 10
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street entrance)
The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy returns this spring with “Tap for Tots” for kids, “Grown & Sexy” for adults and more. Registration is available now for beginners, ages 3 years old and older, adults and professionals. The summer session July 5 - August 10 will be for adults only. Classes are offered in person and are taught by Bril Barrett, Starinah “Star” Dixon and members of M.A.D.D. Rhythms.
COMMUNITY TAP JAMS
Friday, April 14 at 8 p.m.
Friday, May 12 at 8 p.m.
Friday, June 9 at 8 p.m.
Friday, July 14 at 7 p.m.*
Friday, August 11 at 7 p.m.*
Friday, Sept. 8
Hosted by Bril Barrett and members of M.A.D.D. Rhythms professional company
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street Entrance)
*Time and location change to be announced
Tickets: FREE
In-Person and streamed LIVE on M.A.D.D. Rhythm’s YouTube channel,
Community Tap Jams are free and open to the public celebration of Tap. 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 includes live musicians.
M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS PODCAST NETWORK
MADDRhythms.com and all major listening platforms
M.A.D.D Rhythms continues the second season of it's M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network which includes the podcasts, “Gasps From A Dying Art Form,” hosted by Technical Director 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.
2023 FUNDRAISER
Support M.A.D.D. Rhythms
M.A.D.D. Rhythms continues its journey as Chicago’s premier Tap organization. The Company is poised to continue on its upward trajectory, which continues with a 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.
M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS MAKES ITS AUDITORIUM THEATRE DEBUT IN “RHYTHMS OF RESISTANCE”
Saturday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B Wells Dr.
Tickets: $25.00 - $69.00
Three masters of rhythm, Dorrance Dance, Trinity Irish Dance Company and M.A.D.D. Rhythms, take to the historic Auditorium Theatre stage for a percussive evening full of spirit and dance in “Rhythms of Resistance.” This performance marks M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ debut at the Auditorium Theatre.
“THE ONE!” STREET DANCE SHOWCASE RETURNS
Saturday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr.
Tickets: $35 (VIP) $25 (general)
After a three year hiatus due to COVID, M.A.D.D. Rhythms featuring Creation Chicago Footwork will perform in one of the Midwest’s biggest and most prestigious dance shows returns for one night only. “THE ONE!” is presented by Hip Hop ConnXion and features performances by a variety of dance styles and talents.
HAROLD WASHINGTON CULTURAL CENTER GALA: “THE CULTURE OF SOUL”
Monday, May 15 at 6 p.m.
Tobacco Road Inc. Presents “The Culture of Soul” Live Theatrical Fundraising Gala featuring M.A.D.D. Rhythms and other organizations that call the Harold Washington Cultural Center home. For more information email events@HWCCChicago.com.
NATIONAL TAP DANCE DAY 2023
Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21
Commemorating National Tap Dance Day, M.A.D.D. Rhythms partners with Chicago Tap Theatre again as the Chicago Tap All-Stars for a weekend of classes, tap dance footage night and a Community Tap Jam.
Saturday, May 20 includes classes for all levels and a community tap jam.
Sunday, May 21 includes classes for all levels and a community viewing and discussion of film clips and the history of TAP.
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Monday, 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.
M.A,D.D. RHYTHMS IN “THE BIG BANG THEORY: MOVEMENT THEORY + THE BLACK DANCING BODY” BY THE CHICAGO BLACK DANCE LEGACY PROJECT AND THE REVA AND DAVID LOGAN CENTER FOR THE ART’S ART ON THE MART FILM
Beginning July 6
ART on THE MART
THE MART, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza
Starting July 6, the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, a multi-year initiative housed at The University of Chicago's Logan Center for the Arts that celebrates the historic impact of Black dance in Chicago and beyond, debuting a new time-based work featuring its cohort of 10 stellar dance companies including M.A.D.D. Rhythms for ART on THE MART. ART on THE MART is presented in partnership with Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), is an innovative digital art project that transforms a Chicago architectural landmark into a larger-than-life canvas, spanning over 2.5 acres of THE MART along the city’s Riverwalk.
CHICAGO BLACK DANCE LEGACY PROJECT: METAMORPHOSIS
Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m., gates open at 5 p.m.
Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Road, Highland Park
Single tickets go on sale May 1
M.A.D.D. Rhythms joins with other Chicago dance companies as part of the Ruth Page Festival of Dance at Ravinia. Additional companies include Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center’s Hiplet Ballerinas, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, The Era Footwork Crew,Forward Momentum Chicago, Joel Hall Dancers, Move Me Soul, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, Najwa Dance Corps and Praize Productions.
CHICAGO TAP SUMMIT 2023
Friday, Sept. 29 - Sunday, Oct. 1
Directed by Company Member Tristan Bruns
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.
WINTER WONDERFEST
Sunday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms partners with Chicago Tap Theatre again as the Chicago Tap All-Stars celebrates the season with a special holiday-themed performance in commemoration of Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.
COMPANY UPDATES
Tristan Bruns Now Writing for www.SeeChicagoDance.com and Newcity
Technical Director Tristan Bruns is now writing and reviewing dance performances for www.SeeChicagoDance.com and Newcity. Bruns was a 2020 See Chicago Dance Fellow, a paid residency program and part of the Critical Dance Writing Fellowship program, in partnership with the JOMBA! dance festival in Durban, South Africa.
Starinah “Star” Dixon on Faculty at Stockholm International Tap Festival
April 5 - 11
After a four year break, the Stockholm International Tap Festival returns with Starinah “Star” Dixon on faculty. The Stockholm Tap Festival is an international tap dance festival featuring classes for all levels with instructors and dancers from around the world, public events every night including performances, live music, jams, battles and competitions and more.
Sterling Harris in National Dorrance Dance Tour
April 2023
Company Member Sterling Harris tours the country with Dorrance Dance, an award-winning tap dance company based in New York City.Tour dates include Costa Mesa, CA (April 8), San Luis Obispo, CA (April 12) and Chicago for the Auditorium Theatre appearance with Trinity Dance and M.A.D.D. Rhythms.
Donnetta “Lil Bit” Jackson on Faculty and Performing at Yale University
Company Member Donnetta “Lil Bit” Jackson will be on faculty and performing at Yale University, April 13 - 16.
Sterling Harris Teaches Free Class at University of Chicago
Sunday, April 29
Sterling Harris will teach a free class at the University of Chicago, presented by the TAPS Dance Program. This workshop will delve into the range of rhythmic expression possible through tap dance with exercises working on technique, musicality and improvisation.
DC Tap Fest 2023 Honors Bril Barrett and M.A.D.D. Rhythms on Faculty
May 26 - 29
M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ Bril Barrett will be a 2023 festival honoree at the 15th Annual DC Tap Fest and be on faculty with Starinah “Star” Dixon and Donnetta “LilBit” Jackson.
Davon Suttles in Pivot Arts’ “The Memory Place”
Thursdays - Sundays, June 1 - 11
The Edge Theater, 5154 N. Broadway
Company Member Davon Suttles will perform in “The Memory Place,” a multi-arts experience about cultural memory and hidden. The performance is both a celebration and living monument of collective memories from groups that have too often been left out of the public narrative about our collective past.
Sterling Harris’ “Synesthete” Premieres with Chicago Tap Theatre
June 8 - 11
Choreographed and curated by Sterling Harris
The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Ticket Prices: $25 - $40
M.A.D.D. Rhythms Company Member and Chicago Tap Theatre's Artistic Associate Sterling Harris curates an evening-length production of new work for the conclusion of Chicago Tap Theatre’s 20th Anniversary season.
Starinah “Star” Dixon on Faculty at The Intensive in Concord, New Hampshire
June 26 - 30
Founders Derick Grant and Aaron Tolson host a week-long Tap event for advanced dancers with Starinah “Star” Dixon on faculty.
Dreams Dance Academy in St. Charles Hosts Starinah “Star” Dixon for Workshop
Tuesday, July 11
Starinah “Star” Dixon will be an instructor for a Dreams Dance Academy workshop, with students from across the Fox Valley area including, St. Charles, Geneva, Elburn, Campton Hills, West Chicago, South Elgin and Batavia.
Starinah “Star” Dixon on Faculty at Tap Music Project’s Chicago Summer Intensive
July 18 - 23
Sarah Reich's Tap Music Project includes Chicago as part of its international tour of summer intensives including Mérida, Yucatán, Toronto, Canada and Chicago in the United States. Starinah “Star” Dixon is part of the Chicago faculty for the intensive.
Starinah “Star” Dixon and Case Prime on Faculty at VOICE Summer Dance Intensive at Expression Dance Studio in Westmont
July 29 - July 30
Expression Dance Studio presents its annual VOICE Summer Dance Intensive with Starinah “Star” Dixon and Company Member Case Prime on faculty. VOICE Summer Dance Intensive gives dancers an opportunity to explore the use of their bodies as an expression of their inner-voice offering classes in the style of Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical and others.
Davon Suttles in Rhythm Street Movement’s “The Storyboard Experience”
Thursdays - Sundays, June 1 - 11
Eleve Performing Arts Center, Bloomington, Minnesota
Company Member Davon Suttles will be in Rhythm Street Movement’s “The Storyboard Experience.” This week-long immersive tap dance intensive includes interactive classes, globally celebrated teachers and choreographers, live musician rehearsals and an original live show, created by Ricci Milan and Rhythm Street Movement.
Starinah “Star” Dixon Joins Faculty for Utah Tap Fest 2023
August 3 - 5
Starinah “Star” Dixon heads to Highland, Utah to be on faculty for the Utah Tap Fest 2023.
Bril Barrett on Faculty at OKC Tap Fest
September 22 - 24
M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ Bril Barrett will be on faculty at the OKC Tap Fest this fall.
All programs, events and performers are subject to change.
ABOUT M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS
M.A.D.D. (Making A Difference Dancing) Rhythms, now in its 22nd year, 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 ten 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.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and FRWD (FORWARD), a program of The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) with support from Ford Foundation
Bril Barrett - photo by William Frederking
Tristan Bruns - photo by William Frederking
Starinah "Star" Dixon - photo by William Frederking
Sterling Harris - photo by William Frederking
Donnetta "LilBit" Jackson - photo by William Frederking
Davon Suttles - photo by William Frederking