Vancouver Tap Dance News

Vancouver Tap Dance Society Announcement

ON MAY 25th, CELEBRATE NATIONAL TAP DANCE DAY WITH VTDS
From 6:45-8:45 pm at our studio; see flyer on website

SUMMER BOOT CAMP- July 18-22, 2011
This camp is always filled to capacity. 30 STUDENTS ONLY. Registrations are already coming in- so make sure you reserve your spot immediately.  Faculty: Danny Nielson and Jessie Sawyers.
Brochure and registration on our website.

Vancouver International Tap Festival
September 2-4, 2011

Faculty and Performers: Once again our festival lineup includes the world’s top Tap Dancers and Mentors: Dianne Walker, Billy Siegenfeld, Gene Medler, Jason Samuels Smith, Chloe Arnold, Sarah Reich, Melinda Sullivan, Lee Howard, Theo Hill, Travis Knights, Matty Shields, Terry Brock, Danny Nielson, TapCo, NCYTE, and Tap Con Sabor.

Master Classes: Here are just some of the highlights of the wonderful opportunities awaiting all dancers: Dianne Walker’s Leon Collins Routine 2 residency, Billy Siegenfeld’s Jump Rhythm Jazz Technique, Jason Samuels Smith’s Choreography, Travis Knights presentation of Henry LeTang, Professional Development workshops and Musicality Development with Theo Hill. Chloe Arnold will smack you with her own moves, Sarah Reich will open doors to Latin Rhythms and Matty Shields will share slides and smooth flash. There is more, much more, in our intense and extensive program for 2011.

THREE SPECIAL FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES
A.C.G.I. (Anybody Can Get It)
September 2, 2011, Vancouver Playhouse
Tap superstar Jason Samuels Smith and his famed ACGI Company are bringing a dynamic program to Vancouver, a very special presentation for our festival. Accompanied by live music, the company’s performance will showcase Samuels Smith’s intricate rhythms and original style, while also featuring a troupe of talented tap soloists: Chloe Arnold, Lee Howard, Sarah Reich and Melinda Sullivan, in a frenzy of movement and sound

TAP TRILOGY
September 3, 2011, Norman Rothstein Theatre
More than 30 of North America’s rising young stars will take to the stage in this totally unique, one-time festival presentation. When you have the luxury of fusing the artistic lens of Gene Medler, Danny Nielsen and Sarah Reich, as your backdrop to showcase the finest young talent today, you can guarantee a great many Wows from the audience.

A NIGHT AT THE WALDORF
September 4, 2011, Waldorf Hotel, Hideaway Room-Host Dianne Walker
I’m excited and can’t wait to share this experience! The inspiration for this very special evening performance came from the legendary former hub of our city’s night life, “The Cave.”
Among the most popular upscale clubs in Vancouver’s entertainment history, it opened in 1937 and thrived for decades, showcasing thousands of top billings such as Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald and Mitzi Gaynor - who all took to the Cave stage before starring as Vegas headliners. 
In their heyday Tap masters, Harold Cromer, Ernie Brown, Jimmy Slyde, Cholly Atkins, and others dazzled Cave audiences. Eleanor Powell - making her comeback in her mid 50’s as a headliner in Vegas – was among the many stars that showcased their work here.
There will be two performances: “Back in the Day,” featuring Danny Nielson, Travis Knights, and Matty Shields, with Jamie Ausmus and Barbara Vargas, collaborating to present their version of what the masters would have performed at The Cave; and “The Comeback,” in which Terry Brock with Troy McLaughlin will showcase the amazing artistry of Eleanor Powell.

Festival program, brochure and ticket sales will be posted to our website at the end of April. www.vantapdance.com

Sas Selfjord, Executive Director