DONATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
|
DONATE NOW
Thank You!
|
|
|
| SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER! |
 As
summer sizzles, we're doing our best to kick back and have some fun in
the sun, and hope you are too. But autumn classes are just around the
corner, so plan ahead and enroll early, 'cuz if you snooze, you just
might lose!
|
KNOCK ON WOOD Studio News
|
 Enjoy your flip-flops while you can, but get ready to dust off your tap shoes and get ready for fall! Our 14-week Fall Session
begins September 8 and features all of your favorite instructors, rarin' to go with a new season of great classes. Register by August 18 for the early-bird discount!
Sophisticated Tappers - There is still some space in our new 4-week class for the 50+ crowd. Learn the art of rhythm tap, meet new people, enjoy some exercise, and improve your coordination and balance, all while enjoying some cool jazz in the summertime! Beat the heat, join our air-conditioned Sunday afternoon classes, August 3 to 24. (Tap shoes are recommended, but not required.)
Knock On Wood is very happy to welcome Young At Heart tap
dance company. Since 1998, this company has been sharing its love of
tap dancing with the metro DC area through performances at festivals,
malls, retirement communities and other similar venues. They have
recently started renting studio space at KOW for their rehearsals, and
we look forward to their continued presence. Currently, they can be
found in Studio B on Thursday evenings.
Knock On Wood Wish List - Many of you are probably upgrading your television sets to prepare for the switch to digitial. If anyone would like to 'hand me down' a t.v. for the studio lobby, we'd be grateful. Our aging 13" set has seen better days, but is an important tool. A larger set would be most welcome, and would help our dancers continue to learn from viewing footage of our choreographers, the old masters, and other useful DVDs and videos. And of course, your donation would be tax deductible.
August is mighty quiet at KOW, but we're busy planning exhilarating master classes, fun tap parties, and other special events. Give this "sneak peek" link a little tap to see some of the great things in store for everyone at Knock On Wood in 2008-09!
|
| TAPPERS WITH ATTITUDE News |
 TWA is looking forward to an exciting 18th season, and we can't wait to get started! While you read this, a group of us are at the Chicago Human Rhythm Project's Youth Tap Ensemble Conference. When we return, we'll "chill" for a couple of weeks, rest our feet, and then get right back to work! (Photo by Enoch Chan)
We're proud that our very first performance of the season is as the opening act at the Metro DC Dance Awards; this year, we are finalists for Outstanding Youth Performance 2008 and also Overall Production - Small Venue. Ms. Vicki is also a finalist for Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education, so keep your fingers crossed for all of us!
We're still busy lining up plans for our season, but here are some TWA events to watch for:
- Metro DC Dance Awards (Sept. 8)
- Asburn VillageFest (Sept. 27)
- Arts on the Avenue (Oct. 4)
- Dance Place (March 8 & 9)
- Juvenile Diabetes Benefit (April 25)
- Atlas Performing Arts Center (June 14 & 15)
|
|
THE JIM and CAROL TRAWICK FOUNDATION offers NEW SCHOLARSHIPS
|
At KOW, Kids Get Into Tap, Not Into Trouble!
We are thrilled to announce an important and exciting partnership with The Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation, who recently awarded TWA, Inc. a 3-year grant to fund needs-based youth scholarships. We have long hoped to implement a needs-based scholarship program and thank the Trawicks for their generous support and ongoing commitment to the arts in our region. This is just the beginning of the development of our scholarship capabilities; we will be seeking additional funding sources to expand the program's scope in subsequent years.
The first year's funding of Trawick Taps! provides for two fully-paid 1-year TWA scholarships for the 2008-09 season, and two fully-paid 1-year scholarships for KOW classes (upcoming fall, winter, spring).
The TWA scholarship process is already underway, and the scholarship recipients will be notified soon. The KOW scholarship process has just begun: any current, or prospective KOW student can still apply for a scholarship; the application deadline is August 15. Selection of KOW scholarship recipients will be concluded by September 2, in time for the fall semester.
Applicants must be 9-17 years of age as of September 1, 2008; the program is targeted toward Montgomery County residents, but residents of other jurisdictions are eligible; financial need must be demonstrated. An applicant essay and letter of recommendation will be required.
To get your scholarship application, please call KOW right away (301-495-0395). You can also visit our website for more info, but the application is not downloadable.
|
| CLICK 'N CLACK, the TAP-IT SISTERS - Trivia Corner |
 Born in New York City, this "triple threat" (singer, dancer, actor) made his Broadway debut as a teenager. He was signed to appear in "Du Barry Was A Lady", with Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman, and Betty Grable, and toured with the show for years. For a young boy from Hell's Kitchen, this was pretty heady stuff - and just the start of a legendary career.
 In the 1920's, he would sneak out of school to go watch Bill "Bojangles" Robinson perform, and would try to dance up and down the stairs just like "Bo." Eventually he, too, started performing on the vaudeville circuit, where he studied all the terrific acts around him, and learned from all of them. He was eventually cast in films, and toured the world.
In the late 1940's, he teamed up with James "Stump" Cross to form the well-known song and dance comedy team, Stump and Stumpy. They appeared in leading theaters and night clubs all across the United States and internationally, touring with stars like Nat "King" Cole, Stan Kenton, Sophie Tucker, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, and many more.
 In the late 1950's, when this kind of work dried up, this tenacious performer became the Master of Ceremonies on "The Biggest Show of Stars", working with young artists like Aretha Franklin, Frankie Avalon, Buddy Holly, Fats Domino, Marvin Gaye, Chubby Checker, and Chuck Berry.
A man of remarkable and diverse talents, he is a perennial favorite on the tap festival circuit, and has shared stories, song, and dance with generations of tap enthusiasts. His classic work, "Opus One," is in the repertoire of Tappers With Attitude.
QUESTION: This jack-of-all-trades began tap dancing in a unique and unusual way. What special tap dancing talent does he possess?
LAST MONTH'S ANSWER: What song-and-dance man first did the Moonwalk as part of a dance performance? In spite of his on-screen tough guy, hooligan, gangster persona, James "Jimmy" Cagney was in fact a compulsive reader, and wrote poetry in his spare time. Rumor has it that he never DID say, "You dirty rat" in any of his films, but he DID perform the Moonwalk!
|
|
 Knock On Wood and Tappers With Attitude appreciate the work of
Dance/MetroDC in its efforts to unite and support the DC area's dance
community. Dance/MetroDC is the only comprehensive source for dance
performances, events, master classes, workshops, jobs, auditions and
more in the DC metro area. Check their website for more information or to subscribe to their newsletter.
|
Knock On Wood Tap Studio8700 Georgia Ave., Suite B
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-495-0395
Our programs are sponsored in part by funding from
the Montgomery County government and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County,
The Jim and Carol Trawick Foundation, The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation,
Dallas Morse Coors Foundation, and the Washington Post.
|
|
