America’s oldest and most comprehensive festival of tap celebrates its 34th year with two weeks of rhythm bending, in-person education and performance programs by a combination of veteran and next generation artists. Attendees may take one class or a combination of masterclasses, courses, or choreographic residencies.
Classes will take place at Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building in the Annex, Studio 300 at 410 S. Michigan Avenue with concerts at The DuSable Black History Museum, the legendary Jazz Showcase, and the Studebaker Theatre in the Fine Arts Building.
Rhythm World 2024 Features 4 Unique Performances at 3 Iconic Chicago Venues . . .
Sunday, July 14, at 5:00 PM FREE
The Chicago Human Rhythm Project welcomes you back to The DuSable’s Black Legislators Auditorium, to premiere a new tap dance work with Stone Soups Rhythms. A new rhythmical investigation, ‘Ugly Flavors’ will show a sample for the first time at this venue, with choreography by CHRP artistic director Jumaane Taylor. This work will incorporate all tracked music by Columbia Symphony Orchestra from “Rite of Spring” PART 1, and live Ornette Coleman selections from the Brent Griffin Jr. Trio. With prolific tap solos from Rhythm World artists Jason Janas, Naomi Funaki, Cartier Williams and Melissa Almaguer.
This project was supported by the Changing Times Tap Initiative, a division of Changing Times Tap Dance Company, Inc.
New York, NY.
Tuesday, July 16, at 6:30 PM
The Chicago Human Rhythm Project welcomes you to our annual Jazz Showcase concert. An improvisational tap show led by our artistic director, Rhythm World 34 faculty, invited tap dancers and the Eric Hochberg Trio. Returning to Rhythm World, master practitioner Jason Janas, legendary tap dancer Cartier Williams and special guests.
Wednesday, July 17, at 7:00 PM FREE
This is the students' chance to express themselves with their own performance work. Chicago Human Rhythm Project opens up the concert floor for the Rhythm World 34 Student Showcase. If you either have a solo, small or large group routine you’d like to perform, THIS is your opportunity! We look forward to witnessing your work during our final festival week. Performance submissions no longer than 5 minutes. Please sign up with info@chicagotap.org if interested.
Friday, July 19, at 7:00 PM FREE
Hoofing at the legendary Studebaker. Join the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s final festival concert! We bring our annual tap dance festival concert from Rhythm World 34 down to the Studebaker Theatre in the Fine Arts Building! Expanding percussive sound, space and time. Solos by the iconic Derick Grant, new champion breed Naomi Funaki, Flourish Dance Academy founder Martin Bronson, masterful artist Cartier Williams and CHRP’s own Lane Alexander. With new work being presented by faculty choreographer Sarah Savelli, including Karrissa Royster and Stone Soup Rhythms.
2024 Rhythm World Festival Brochure
Classes will take place at Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building in the Annex
2024 Education Programs
All classes are held in Studio 300 at the Fine Arts Building
410 S. Michigan Ave, 3rd FloorChicago, IL 60605
Masterclasses
Beginner/Intermediate, Intermediate, & Advanced
July 12, 13, 14, 20, &21
All up to the “master” in the room. The masterclass is an audition style setting. Meaning, you pick up whatever they put down. This week’s faculty will grant you with daily tap inspirations. Sharing their masterful ideas for that level. It could be a warmup, an across the floor, a combination, or all of the above but particularly structured for the students in the room. Beware of what artistry these tap masters share with you, it will take you a step closer to understanding this art form.
The materials may change in each particular masterclass, so the rhythmic journey may be risky. But brilliantly informative for the craft.
Faculty: Lane Alexander, Melissa Almaguer, Martin Bronson, Naomi Funaki, Derick Grant, Jason Janas, Reggio McLaughlin, Anthony Morigerato, Karissa Royster, Sarah Savelli, Jumaane Taylor, & Cartier Williams
All Masterclasses are 80 minutes.
Fees: $30 Per Masterclass
Courses
Learn something to stay with you on your tap journey. The classic festival ‘course’ track where you are guaranteed to take something home. Maybe it’s just a couple of steps that catch your ear, though hopefully it’s a few bars of continuous tap combinations and variations that will become helpful for your eternal rhythmic experience. Building off of those artists’ ideas, rather than just routines, would be the focus here. Though the routine aspect is practiced here.
Faculty: Lane Alexander, Naomi Funaki, Karissa Royster, Sarah Savelli, & Cartier Williams
Each class is 80 minutes/day for 4 consecutive days.
Fees: $100 Per Course
Beginner/Intermediate, Intermediate & Advanced
Tuesday, July 16 - Friday, July 19
Choreographic Residency
Beginner/Intermediate, Intermediate, & Advanced
Tuesday, July 16 - Friday, July 19
What does it mean to choreograph tap? When we are choreographing this style, is it tap or something else with tap? In order to honor tap, we must keep tap dancing. During this residency we are putting you in the space with 2 of the most defining voices of our field. Here we teach you how to compose or choreograph for tap. Strategically creating a rhythmical flow that compliments the music, but also exemplifies the art of tap. Within the works shared this week, you will learn how to build for this dance, fitting for the concert stage.
Faculty: Derick Grant, Anthony Morigerato
Each residency class is 80 minutes/day.
Fees: $150 Per Choreographic Residency
2024 Artists
Hotel Accommodations
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