Tap Dance Archive to be Published by Library of Congress

A reception in celebration of TAP DANCE IN AMERICA: A TWENTIETH-CENTURY CHRONOLOGY OF TAP PERFORMANCE ON STAGE, FILM, AND MEDIA, a new Library of Congress interactive archive by tap dance historian CONSTANCE VALIS HILL, will take place on Friday, February 12, 7:30pm, at the American Tap Dance Foundation, where Ms. Hill serves as Director of Preservation. The reception, at the Foundation's American Tap Dance Center, 154 Christopher St., NYC, will kick off a weekend of discussions, films, master classes, jams and concert performance in honor of the publication of this milestone collection.

TAP DANCE IN AMERICA, a free Library of Congress online database, will contain the most comprehensive and detailed collection of tap dance documentation on record. LIVE ON FEBRUARY 12, the interactive encyclopedia will include a 3,000 record database searchable by title, date, venue; dancer, choreographer, director, producer and performance medium (film, television, radio, stage, club) as well as by names of "tap numbers" and tap choreographies. In addition to the 2820 records of tap performance, 180 biographies of twentieth-century tap dancers will be included, contributed to the archive by Ms. Hill.

"To be a tap historian is to be a sleuth, to revel in newly found bits of information as if they are nuggets of gold," said Ms. Hill about the painstaking recovery of material. According to American Tap Dance Foundation Artistic/Executive Director Tony Waag, "the archive will be an amazing resource for the tap community, and the entire world. And it's FREE. This online encyclopedia is a gift that will keep on giving."

The American Tap Dance Foundation will host all February 12-14 weekend events, in different locations.

ATDF WEEKEND PROGRAM:

Friday, February 12, 2016

American Tap Dance Center - 154 Christopher St. #2B (between Greenwich & Washington St.)

· 7:30pm - Reception for Constance Valis Hill and Library of Congress Tap Dance Database Screening

· 8:00 pm - Tap Talk & Film "About Tap," followed by an open discussion with producer/director George T. Nierenberg, winner of the ATDF 2014 Tap Preservation Award.

*About Tap, a PBS special featuring Gregory Hines, looked at three tap legends, Jimmy Slyde, Chuck Green and Steve Condos, to explore how an artist finds his/her personal style. George T. Nierenberg, winner of the ATDF Tap Preservation Award in 2014, is an acclaimed Producer/Director whose career has spanned the worlds of independent features, network, cable and international television. His fascination with the roots of American culture has led to a series of remarkable non-fiction films.

February 12-14, 2016 WEEKEND TAP INTENSIVE??

The Rockin' in Rhythm Teen Tap Intensive will bring together dynamic and diverse youth ensembles from across the country to perform their best works on a New York City stage, and learn new rhythms and moves with their contemporaries in special master classes. The event has classes, rehearsals, a jam and then a concert performance. The goal is to unite, share and inspire through a weekend of "rockin' rhythms" & music.

· Saturday, February 13, 2016 (6:30-8:30pm)?Tap Jam

DANY Studios - 305 West 38th St. (bt. 8th & 9th Ave.) - Hosted by tap luminary Michela Marino Lerman Live Music! ??

· Sunday, February 14, 2016 (5pm)"Rockin' in Rhythm" Show - Washington Irving High School - 40 Irving Place (bt. East 16th & 17th St.)

TICKETS:

General: $20 To purchase call (646) 230-9564? Students (age 17 & under) & Seniors: $10 - VIP/Fundraising: $40