American Tap Dance Foundation to Host Fred and Adele Astaire Awards Next Season

The American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF), Tony Waag, Executive Director, has announced ATDF has been selected to administer the prestigious Fred and Adele Astaire Awards beginning with the 2016/2017 Broadway season.

"I was so honored and excited when Mrs. Fred Astaire chose us. I see this as an opportunity to expand our mission and a unique way to reinforce the admiration and relationships between the Broadway and Concert tap communities," said Mr. Waag.

"I was introduced to Tony Waag and the American Tap Dance Foundation by my close friend Gregory Hines in 2001 and have been gratified to see his organization flourish. I have authorized Tony to administrate the Astaire Awards because of his proven commitment to raising public awareness of dance, in particular tap dancing, as a positive and inclusive form of self-expression which has developed into an internationally recognized American art form." - Mrs. Fred Astaire

In anticipation of its new role, ATDF will present a special ASTAIRE AWARD to The American Dance Machine for the 21st Century (ADM21) on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the Tap Foundation's TAP AWARDS (Duke on 42nd Street), one of the featured events of Tap City, the 16th anniversary of the New York City Tap Festival (July 9-16).

ADM21 was founded in February of 2012 in order to continue the legacy of the late Lee Theodore and The American Dance Machine, to ensure that significant musical theater choreography and the techniques that propelled such works, could be preserved, studied and shared with today's audiences. Nikki Feirt Atkins is the founder and artistic director.

The Astaire Awards were established in 1982 to honor individual excellence in Broadway performances where dancing is a major component of the role. The award committee for this year's Broadway season will be announced in the near future.

In addition to the ASTAIRE AWARD, the 2016 ATDF Tap Awards evening will include presentation of the ATDF annual HOOFER and TAP PRESERVATION AWARDS and the induction of five tap legends into the INTERNATIONAL TAP DANCE HALL OF FAME. *Details below

IF YOU GO:

THE AMERICAN TAP DANCE FOUNDATION TAP AWARDS
Tuesday, July 12 at 9pm - The Duke on 42nd Street - 229 W 42nd Street, NYC

TICKETS
General $20
Children 17 & under/Student/Senior: $10

• 2016 Fred and Adele Astaire Award - American Dance Machine for the 21st Century
• 2016 Hoofer Award - Roxane Butterfly and TEd Levy
• 2016 Tap Preservation Award - Germaine Ingram
• 2016 Tap Dance Hall of Fame Awards - Ludie Jones, Harriet Browne, Apollo Chorus Line, Master Juba, Copasetics

*Film presentations and performances will be included in this year's Awards Evening

ABOUT TAP CITY - The New York City Tap Festival - Presented by The American Tap Dance Foundation, the Tap City line-up will include The Tap Treasures Tap Dance Storytelling Tour (July 11, 12, 13), Tap Awards (July 12), Tap Treasures Showcase (Thur. July 14 at 7 and 9:30pm) and Tap it Out (Friday, July 15 at 6 and 6:30pm) - a free, outdoor public celebration at Five Points/Foley Square, 111 Worth Street, the spot where tap dance began. More than 150 students of all ages and levels will hoof it out in a thunderous chorus of tapping feet.

Tap City draws participants from around the world. The Festival offers expansive adult, pre-professional and youth training programs with internationally renowned teachers and numerous diverse premiere performances & citywide events.

The American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF) is a non-profit organization committed to establishing and legitimizing Tap Dance as a vital component of American Dance through creation, presentation, education and preservation. For more information and a schedule of upcoming events visit: atdf.org

Pictured: Fred and Adele Astaire. Photo courtesy American Tap Dance Foundation Archives.