American Tap Dance Foundation Slates Summer Dates for TAP CITY 2017

The American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF), Tony Waag, Artistic/Executive Director, announced today its 2017 line up for TAP CITY, the NYC Tap Festival, July 8 through July 15.

The week-long festival includes performances by local and International Artists, the ATDF Tap Dance Awards, master classes and a "Tap Treasures" tap dance tour, all in celebration of this uniquely American art form right in tap's hometown, New York City.

New to Tap City this year is, "Tap Ellington," Friday, July 14 at 7pm (The Appel Room, Jazz at Lincoln Center) a celebration of Duke Ellington, the legendary icon of American Jazz. Ellington's music and unique legacy of introducing, promoting and presenting tap dancers to audiences all over the world will be honored with tap dance performances and live music by the Duke Ellington Center's Big Band, conducted by Eli Yamin.

The ATDF TAP AWARDS, on Wednesday, July 13 (The Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre at Symphony Space), will honor Ayodele Casel & Sam Weber, The Jerome Robbins Dance Division of The New York Public Library, Duke Ellington & the Cotton Club Girls and Boys. The second annual Tap Treasures Tour will kick off the Tap City week on Monday, July 10, offering an important historical dimension to the Festival. From legendary theaters to rehearsal spaces, pivotal moments in tap dance history will be explored.

This July, the American Tap Dance Foundation will celebrate 31 years since its founding by tap master Charles "Honi" Coles, his protégée Brenda Bufalino, and the Foundation's current artistic and executive director, Tony Waag.

TAP CITY, The New York City Tap Festival, celebrates the organization's ongoing commitment to establish and legitimize tap dance as a vital component of American dance through creation, presentation, education and preservation. ATDF is in a unique position as both a promoter of the new and preserver of the living history of tap dance.

TAP CITY LINEUP:

· MONDAY, JULY 10 - "Tap Treasures Tour" - An afternoon/evening tour (2-8pm) will visit legendary theaters and rehearsal spaces, marking pivotal moments in tap dance history.

· TUESDAY, JULY 11- Copasetic Boat Ride - 6:30-9:30pm - Circle Line Marina, Pier 83 - Opening social event and cruise around Manhattan with live band, performances and jam. VIDEO To purchase visit: Boat Ride Tickets or call (646) 230-9564.

· WEDNESDAY, JULY 12 - Tap Dance Awards -7pm - The Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre, Symphony Space 2537 Broadway at 95th Street - Film presentations and performances will honor Ayodele Casel & Sam Weber, recipients of this year's Hoofer Awards; The Jerome Robbins Dance Division of The New York Public Library, recipient of this year's Tap Preservation Award, and inductees Duke Ellington and The Cotton Club Girls and Boys into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame. VIDEO TICKETS $15.To purchase visit: Tap Awards Tickets.

· FRIDAY, JULY 14 - "Tap Ellington" Show - 7pm- Jazz at Lincoln Center - The Appel Room, 10 Columbus Circle - A musical celebration of Duke Ellington's life, music and unique legacy of introducing, promoting and presenting tap dancers to audiences all over the world. Master of ceremonies Tony Waag and the Duke Ellington Center's Big Band conducted by Eli Yamin join together in honor of this legendary icon of American Jazz with tap dance performances by emerging raw talent, contemporary soloists and leading tap masters including Brenda Bufalino, Ayodele Casel, Mercedes Ellington, Caleb Teicher, Sarah Reich, Sam Weber, Josette and Joseph Wiggan, the New American Tap Orchestra and others. TICKETS: General $75; Children 17 & under/Student/Senior: $50 www.jazz.org/events/t-6400

· SATURDAY, JULY 15 - "Tap Future" ALL STUDENT SHOWCASE - 5pm -Symphony Space, Peter J. Sharp Theatre - Tap City puts ALL of its students on stage in a fun show of youth, teen and adult students. Tap dancers will perform for each other in an informal performance featuring the newly minted work from all of the Tap City Residencies from the Youth, Pre-Professional and Adult Programs. TICKETS General $40; Children 17 & under/Student/Senior: $20 To purchase visit: Tap Future Tickets www.symphonyspace.org/event/9601/Dance/tap-future-tap-citys-all-student-showcase

For more information, visit American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF) online.

Photo Credit: Amanda Gentile