DANCE

Whether you think of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Fred Astaire, or even Shirley Temple one thing is synonymous with tap dancing: it is a uniquely American art form. In honor of its rich historical legacy, Texas New Tap (TNT) is excited to present the first tap festival of its kind to be held in Houston in 20 years.

The Space City Tap Fest, February 26th-28th, 2010 will revive tap education and bring together the tap community to honor those who, because of their own love of tap, have inspired others and been the forerunners of keeping this art form alive. The festival will consist of more than 25 tap classes for Ages 7-Professional taught by Emmy award-winning dancer and choreographer Jason Samuels Smith (pictured), Chloe Arnold, Acia Gray, Maud Arnold, Karin Celeste, and many more. Festival classes will culminate in a faculty and student concert accompanied by a live jazz band on Sunday, February 28th at 7pm at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, Bayou Theatre, and will honor Acia Gray for her active role in the Texas tap community.

The festival will also honor the memory of Camille Long Hill, “That Grand Lady of Texas Dance,” and director of the Outrageous Rhythm Tap Festival, the last tap fest held in Houston in the 1980’s. Ms. Hill, the founder of the Discovery Dance Group, was a renowned choreographer, teacher, and author. Mary Lee Kennedy, Executive Producer of the Tap Fest, remembers her mentor as a teacher who “was a truly inspirational person, and the quintessential classic tap master.”

Emilie Koenig, Director of the Tap Fest, has a special connection to not only the faculty at this festival, but also the motivating power behind dance. Beginning her dance career at age three, Emilie went on to study under Jason Samuels Smith at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. In 2004 she suffered a devastating illness that left her paralyzed and in therapy for more than 8 months, and in her mind her dance career had come to an end. It was inspiration from friends Maud Arnold and Jason Samuels Smith who encouraged her to put her tap shoes back on and begin living life again. This renewed passion stirred her to put together a festival to bring Houston tap dancers together to share their own stories, and to share their love of dance.

Come and be a part of this exciting event! Tap participants can expect to learn the latest moves and tap dance innovations, as well as performing onstage with faculty in a final concert. Dance instructors can attend FREE of charge with ten registered students. For registration and ticket information, please call 281-480-8414, or visit www.spacecitytapfest.com.  

All Intermediate and Advanced classes to be held at Kennedy Dance Center, 15210 Hwy 3, Suite 109, Webster, Tex. Registration / Meet & Greet Feb. 26 @ 6:30-8:30, to be held at Hilton Garden Inn @ 750 W. Texas Ave in Webster, Texas 77598 Tap Jam Feb 27, at 8-9:30, also to be held at Hilton Garden Inn on Texas Ave. Tap Concert to be held at University of Houston Clear Lake Bayou Theatre Feb 28, at 7:00pm.