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33

July 14 - 23, 2023

Chicago's International Festival of American Tap
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Jumaane Taylor
Artistic Director

Photo by Kristie Kahns Photography
 

America’s oldest and most comprehensive festival of tap – is back and under the direction of Jumaane Taylor, a visionary and accomplished teacher, performer, choreographer and producer. Taylor has reimagined this year’s festival to offer two weeks of rhythm bending, in-person education and performance programs by a new ensemble of teaching and performing artists. Attendees may take as few as ONE class or as many as four classes per day over two weeks.

 

Classes will return to Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building with concerts at Navy Pier’s Lake Stage, Jazz Showcase, the Black Legislator’s Theater at the The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center and the Jay Pritzker Pavilioin in Millennium Park.

CHRP will comply with all City, State and Federal mandates related to vaccination status, room and theater occupancy as well as cleaning protocols.

Please contact us at registration@chicagotap.org or 312-542-2477.

Rhythm World 2023 Features 5 Unique Performances at 5 Iconic Chicago Venues . . . 

Performances
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Black Legislators' Auditorium at The DuSable Black History Museum

and Education Center

740 E 56th Pl

Sunday, July 16, at 4:00 PM  FREE

Rhythm World 33 concert 1 starts here! The Chicago Human Rhythm Project welcomes you back to the DuSable Museum ’s Black Legislators Theater, to premier two new tap dance works. Stone Soups Rhythms work ‘Cheap Suites & Hotels’ will showcase choreography by CHRP artistic director Jumaane Taylor. Closing is the remarkable ‘Free Spirts Suite’ by Christina Carminucci, Rhythm World 33 faculty from New Jersey.

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Jubalee Gala Honoring Philip and Marsha Dowd at the Jazz Showcase

806 S. Plymouth Court

Tuesday, July 18, at 7:00 P

The Chicago Human Rhythm Project welcomes you to our annual Jazz Showcase concert. An improvisational tap show led by our artistic director, Rhythm World 33 faculty, invited tap dancers and the Eric Hochberg Trio. Returning to Rhythm World, intergalactically known Alexandria “Brinae Ali” Bradley from Flint, Michigan, master practitioner Jason Janas, legendary tap dancer Sam Weber and special guests.

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Navy Pier's Polk Bros Park Lake Stage

699-601 E Grand Ave

Wednesday, July 19, at 7:00 PM    FREE

Hoofing at the Pier! Join the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s final festival week! We bring you a taste of our annual tap dance festival concerts from Rhythm World 33 all to the Navy Pier stage! Stone Soup Rhythms and special guest! Premiering Stone Soup Rhythms ‘Cheap Suites & Hotels’ choreography and improvisation by Jumaane Taylor, with the Eric Hochberg Trio.

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Millennium Park Residency

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

201 E Randolph St

CHRP is one of four Chicago nonprofit organizations who have been granted funding and resources to present free public programming as part of Millennium Park’s robust summer season. This residency opportunity will open Pritzker Pavilion and other park cultural amenities for all to witness innovative performances, beautiful collaborations, and diverse public programs.

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Education Programs

2023 Education Programs

Masterclasses

Beginner, Intermediate, & Advanced
July 14, 15, 21, & 22

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.

Masterclass Faculty July 14 & 15: Christina Carminucci, Melissa Almaguer, Orlando Hernãndez, & Byron Tittle.

Masterclass Faculty July 21 & 22: Linda Sohl Ellison, Sam Weber, Jumaane Taylor, Jason Janas, Ali Bradley, & Reggio McLaughlin.

Fees: $30 per master class

Courses

 Learn something to stay with 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 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.

Courses Faculty: Linda Sohl Ellison, Sam Weber, Jumaane Taylor, Jason Janas, Brinae Ali,  & Reggio McLaughlin.

Fees: $100 per course

Intermediate & Advanced
Tuesday, July 18 - Thursday, July 20

 

Teacher Training

Tuesday, July 18 - Thursday, July 20

What should teachers teach? There are some technical standards that most tap dancers agree on. Though there are also certain advancements in the techniques that most of us are unaware of. The week of the ‘Teacher Training’ will update you on where we are in tap technically and rhythmically. Incorporating and connecting with those important standards, while also learning how to incorporate some historical archives into our lessons. Discussing how they can apply what they’re learning to their curriculum.

 

Teachers Certification Faculty: Linda Sohl Ellison, Sam Weber, Jason Janas, and Ali Bradley.

Fees: $350

Choreographic Residency

Intermediate & Advanced
Tuesday, July 18 - Saturday, July 22

Introducing the Dianne Walker Foundation in association with the Leon Collins Institute, preserving the work of Leon Collins that’s rooted in the art of tap dance and includes his core of acclaimed teachings. The rhythms of these four-chorus routines are beautifully and seamlessly joined musically. All can be danced to jazz standards, and they become the foundation of a dancer’s “tap alphabet” to propel professional tap dancers as well as start the journey of those who just put on tap shoes. This incredible work will further develop dancers’ technical prowess, expand their choreographic lens, and move dancers to a deeper understanding of working with musicians. This level of insight into tap dance supports complex, innovative and clearly articulated choreography. Choreographic Residency Faculty:  Dianne Walker.

Fees: $150

Artists

Hotel Accommodations

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