Where the ShoesMeets the Blues by Gina Carrico


is held again under the canopy of the giant pecan trees at the Music Hall in Fair Park just prior to the Dallas Summer Musical’s (DSM) presentation ofMemphis. Preparations are underway to host tappers throughout fromthe DFWmetro- plex, and as far away as San Antonio, Tyler and Oklahoma. The 2012 Dance Council of North Texas (DCNT) Tap Scholarship Recipients are showcased every night of the event.


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In 1989, a U.S. Congressional Resolution designatedMay 25th as National Tap Day and honors the tap legend, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. President and Managing Director of the Dallas Summer Musicals,Michael Jenkins thought one day just wasn’t enough. When approached by Buster Cooper in 2007 to hold the event at the Music Hall at Fair Park, Jenkins asked “Can you do itmore than one night?” And Cooper’s answer was a resound- ing—Yes!Mr. Jenkins says, “I amhopeful that this encourages others to realize the impor- tance of dance, and for some of the younger ones in the audience, to think of dance as a career. Dance is one of themost important elements of livemusical theatre.”


ark your calendars fromMay 22 throughMay 26, 2012 and strap on your blue suede tap shoes! The annual show-before-the-show, the National Tap Dance Celebration,


When asked what they were taking away fromthe experience, themost common responses were that they had the opportuni- ty to learn choreography fromteachers outside of their studios and they hadmet other young dancers who shared their pas- sion for tap.


WilliamSheriff, 15, has only been tapping two years at Ballet Conservatory. He said the choreography was “hard, but fun” and that he puts in a lot of practice at home. This is his first time in the Hoofin’ Crew. TabithaWooten, 14, fromCommerce takes dance at hermother’s studio, Li-Sher Dance. “Mymomis my teacher so I amenjoying learning fromother teachers!” This is her 2nd year in the Crew.


The kids werework- ing on two pieces, “It Don’tMean a Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing” fromBubblin’ Brown Sugar choreo- graphed by Buster Cooper, and the open- ing number from42nd Street. I was impressed with their dedication and stamina through- out the day. Especially evidenced by Devon Hollifield, 13,who came to rehearsal even though she was sick— what a trouper!


Hoofin’ Crewin rehearsal. Pictured L toR:Antoinette Fisher, ShelbyBlattner,NatalieWaits, WilliamSheriff, Tracy Jordan and Joe Cutaia. Photo: ChristianWaits.


Master of Ceremonies for the evenings include Michael Serrecchia, director of Musical Theatre at KD College, and who was in the original


Amanda Stone is the powerhouse and DCNT Chair of the Tap Committee. She appreciates the opportunity to honorMr. Robinson and of course, to work with Buster Cooper. Amanda thinks that “the performing arts offer a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn to think on their feet.” Amanda and her com- mittee pull all the elements of a successful event together from auditioning the Hoofin’ Crew (more about themlater), to designing the commemorative shirts, PR, scheduling perform- ers, volunteers—you name it!


Tracy Jordan, Director of DSMHigh SchoolMusical Theatre Awards, is co-director of the Hoofin’ Crew along with Joe Cutaia, director of The Chaplin Cotillions. Twelve dancers, rang- ing in age from12 to 20 years old were picked from2 days of auditions and will be performing nightly. Yours truly got the opportunity to sit in on a rehearsal and talk to several of them.


page 12 May 2012 www.thedancecouncil.org


cast of A Chorus Line on Broadway; Persis Forster, director of Miss Persis Dance Studio in Arlington; and other local DFW celebrities. To close the show nightly, the audience is invited to join in The ShimSham, the National Anthemof Tap, led by Buster Cooper.


Mark your calendar and come to the patio of theMusic Hall in Fair Park every night fromMay 22-26, 2012 from7:00 PMto 7:45 PMto see themore than thirty ensembles tapping at the event. All performances at the National Tap Dance Celebration are free! Come out and celebrate the talents of these wonderful performers and stay to enjoy the Dallas SummerMusicals’ presentation of the Broadway hit—Memphis.


Gina Carrico is a long timemember of the Dallas dance community and free-lance writer for Dance! North Texas. Contact her at gina_ballerina@yahoo.com


DANCE!NORTHTEXAS a publication of the dance council of north texas vol. 15 • no. 2


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