This ain’t yo momma’s tap dance. Think STOMP, but not really. More like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly possessed by Savion Glover. (P.S., if you’re reading this Savion, I’ve loved you since you showed up on Sesame Street. Good times, good times.)
Besides the whole tap dance being a really totally rad thing (shit, did I just date myself with the r-a-d word?) here’s some other reasons why you should go:
1) You’ll be patriotic without being political: Tap Dance is all-American. And I quote: “Tap is an American theatrical dance.” It blends moves from the Irish Step Dance, the English Clog Dance and the African Dance Movement. I mean really, when was the last time you did something truly American? Mc-Scratching yourself while drinking a Mc-Flurry that you won from Mc-Monopoly so does not count.
2) If you’re not about the whole “patriotic thing” you can go all international by attending the Masters of Rhythm. Yukiko Misumi from Japan will be rocking the stage, as well as Grant Swift who was born in New Zealand. Misumi has performed in numerous clubs in Japan and has performed in 2002, 2003 and 2004 at the New York City Tap Festival. She’s also Japan’s International Association representative. Swift has performed and taught all over the whole wide world—London, Singapore, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. I’m also assuming that he has a really sexy accent… and he’s performed on Broadway. I’m swooning. I’m really swooning.
3) Tap Dance is sexy. For real. Masters-of-Rhythm. Figure that one out, guys. This event has the potential for a seriously hot date. Who doesn’t want to do it after watching fit, slightly sweaty bodies thumping around rhythmically for hours? Duh. Don’t forget that you have the opportunity to get thoroughly buzzed pre-show in the courtyard. Ka-ching! In there like swim wear, baby.
4) The dancers are hot. Hotter than your boyfriend or girlfriend. Believe me. I have seen photographical evidence that your eyes will thank you for attending this performance. Don’t act like this is a stupid reason. You know you wouldn’t want to go so bad if the dancers were fugly.
5) You can go to tap dance lessons beforehand and feel smart. Who doesn’t like to feel smart? On Nov. 3, 4 and 5 you can actually take tap lessons from some of the hot and talented performers of the Masters of Rhythm. Seriously, when are you ever going to get the chance to learn tap from people like Jason Samuel Smith? Smith was an original member of Savion Glover’s NYOT (Not Your Ordinary Tappers), has performed at The White House, on Regis & Kathie Lee and has won both an Emmy and an American Choreography award. Some fun, yeah? Beginning to advance students are welcome.
6) Professional dancers from North America, Australia and Japan will perform numbers choreographed by Emmy Award-winning choreographer Jason Samuels Smith and directed by Chloe Arnold. Professional performers include Lynn Dally, artistic director of the legendary Jazz Tap Ensemble; Mark Yonally, artistic director of Chicago Tap Theater; Grant Swift, New Zealand-born dancer, choreographer and producer; Julie Cartier, artistic director of Especially Tap Chicago; Jimmy Payne Jr. of Perfect Timing Chicago, and Yukiko Misumi, founder of Japan’s Artistic Rhythm Tap Network.
7) Live accompaniment will be onstage by jam-artists Sal Godinez (keyboards), Marcus Johnson (bass), and Michael Buono (drums). And Maui radio personality Kathy Collins will host.
So really, you should go. I’m gonna go and be the girl trying her hardest not to throw her panties on the stage because, as you may have noticed, tap dance kind of turns me on. It’ll turn you on, too.
So clippity-clop your way down to the MACC and get your tickets before somebody else does. For more information (and that photographical evidence of the hot performers) visit www.mauitapexperience.org or call the MACC at 242-SHOW (7469). MTW
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