M.A.D.D. Rhythms and Chicago Tap Theatre to Hold Weekend of Classes and Performances

M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Chicago's premier Tap collective, and Chicago Tap Theatre,Chicago's vibrant dance company preserving and celebrating Tap, as Chicago Tap All-Stars, a production collaboration to bring unity and connection across the entire Tap community, present events, a performance and a V.I.P. screening of "Bojangles" celebrating National Tap Dance Day and the Year of Chicago Dance, May 21 - 25. Tickets for events vary from free to $120 for a multi-event participation. Information, registration and tickets may be found at https://bit.ly/chicagotapallstars.

"We came together in the spirit of unity, transparency and accountability! We are being the change we want to see," said M.A.D.D. Rhythms Artistic Director Bril Barrett. "Chicago's tap community has been fractured for a long time and it feels so good to be shuffling towards a solution!"

"It is such a distinct pleasure to work with Bril and M.A.D.D. Rhythms to create this incredibly necessary celebration of the Chicago tap dance community and be a part of something that is in the service of sharing our common language, healing our community and hitting the wood!," added Chicago Tap Theatre Artistic Director Mark Yonally.

Chicago Tap All Stars events, in chronological order, include:

Saturday, May 21 at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr.

Full Day of Workshops

Ticket for the entire day: $120

Classes for all levels and experiences will be available with instructors Bril Barrett, Starinah "Star" Dixon, Jay Fagan, Sterling Harris, Donnetta "LilBit" Jackson, Nico Rubio, Molly Smith and Mark Yonally.

Sunday, May 22 at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr.

Chicago Tap All-Stars Performance: Bridging the Gap: One Step at a Time

3 p.m.

Ticket Price: $28 - $42, with VIP tickets for $75

Streaming: FREE - $40 (June 3 - 12)

Representing the breadth of diversity of Chicago tap dance, Chicago Tap All-Stars sponsor a performance called Bridging the Gap: One Step at a Time. This performance is a celebration of the inclusivity, connection and talent of many of Chicago's all-star performers. The performance features Marty + Jessica Bronson, Chicago Tap Theatre, Jenai Cutcher, Tre Dumas, Jay Fagan, Footprints, jorsTAP, M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Jimmy Payne Jr., Matt Pospeshil, Nico Rubio, Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre and Patti Vickerman.This performance will be recorded and available for streaming June 3 - 12 during Chicago Dance Month.

Wednesday, May 25 at the New 400 Theater, 6746 N. Sheridan Rd.

VIP Presentation of "Bojangles"and Tap Jam

Doors open at 6 p.m., event begins at 6:30 p.m.

Ticket price: $50 - free popcorn and cash bar

In celebration of National Tap Dance Day on Wednesday, May 25, guests are invited to join the Chicago Tap All-Stars at this VIP event including a Chicago Tap All-Stars' Tap Jam and a showing of the 2001 film "Bojangles" starring Gregory Hines as the legendary performer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. This is an exclusive event with only 40 tickets being sold.

ABOUT CHICAGO TAP THEATRE

Founded in 2002, Chicago Tap Theatre is a growing and vibrant dance company dedicated to preserving the quintessentially American dance form of tap while taking it to the next level of creativity, innovation and quality. CTT performs exclusively with live music provided by some of Chicago's finest musicians playing everything from Duke Ellington to David Bowie and many artists in between. Under the dynamic direction of master teacher and performer Mark Yonally, CTT has gained a loyal and sizable following in Chicago and continues to tour both nationally and internationally. Having pioneered the "tap opera" format, which tells stories with compelling characters and intriguing plots, CTT has used the language of tap dance, live music and narration to move audiences for more than 19 years.

ABOUT M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS

M.A.D.D. (Making A Difference Dancing) Rhythms is a phenomenal tap dance collective whose "SOLE" purpose is to spread the love and joy of tap worldwide. What started as Bril Barrett and Martin Dumas III's formula for giving back, is now, after more than 20 years, a full-fledged 501 (c) 3 performing arts company, quickly gaining a reputation for representing the true essence of tap: RHYTHM! The company is composed of young, versatile tap dancers from all over Chicago. Their ages range from 17 to 45 years old, and their backgrounds are equally diverse. The one thing they all have in common is a love for "the dance."

M.A.D.D. Rhythms' mission is to preserve, promote and contribute to this art form called tap. They teach its history, represent its culture and advocate for its future. M.A.D.D. Rhythms use this beautiful dance/music form to make a difference in the under-served communities of this world by connecting and caring for the youth of this world. Believing that having access and options gives a child a greater chance at a positive life, M.A.D.D. Rhythms spread the joy, love, discipline and expression of tap to as many children as they humanly can!

M.A.D.D. Rhythms' performance opportunities, in short, have included: Dance Africa Chicago, Dance Chicago, The Stars of "Dance Chicago" in Istanbul, Turkey, M.A.D.D. Rhythms Canada's "Release Yourself" and "Great Feets of Rhythm," Downbeats Canada's "Embrace the Rhythm," Miami's Art-Deco Festival, An Expo for Today's Black Woman, Kwanzaa Festival, The African Festival of the Arts, St. Louis Tap Festival, Boys and Girls Clubs National Conference, the Chicago Historical Society's Summer Performance Series, and DuSable Museum's educational theatre series. They have also produced nine full-length productions, created the annual Chicago Tap Summit and educated more than 200 students via The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy.

In an effort to continuously give back to their communities, they have also worked with many public and private schools and volunteered performances for various community affiliated organizations including A.C.E.S. (Athletes Committed to Educating Students), Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, Nikola Tesla Alternative High School for Girls, TCA Health and Nutrition Fair, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and Rainbow House.

YEAR OF CHICAGO DANCE

In deep partnership with the local dance community, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) have designated 2022 as the Year of Chicago Dance. This citywide, year-long focus on dance is the first of its kind in the U.S. The collaborative initiative will activate Chicago's dance industry to address critical issues facing dancers and the field of dance including funding, space, and capacity building - and to consider the sustainability of this work. The Year of Chicago Dance will, of course, also include dance performances, social dancing, and special events for the public in dozens of venues throughout the city.

Pictured: (L to R) Molly Smith and Sterling Harris perform JUST THE TWO OF US from Chicago Tap Theatre.

Photo Credits: Paul Chrisanti

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