CALENDAR
|
November 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2008
Don't Sweat the Technique Class
|
DONATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
|
DONATE NOW
Thank You!
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES:
Please pledge your support for
TWA, Inc. via the
Combined Federal Campaign.
Our number is 68430.
Thank You!
|
|
|
KNOCK ON WOOD Studio News
|
 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!Tidbits for Tappers Turns One-Year-Old!
Don't Sweat The Technique!
Our new mini-class explores Tap FUNdamentals. Different instructors
each week will offer unique perspectives on different skills, from
shuffles and flaps to turns and syncopation. Dancers at all skill
levels are encouraged to participate, however you must be age 13+
(younger students may seek prior permission from studio director). Join
us November 2, 9, 16 & 23 from 1:00-2:00pm. Tap here for more FUNdamental info!
 Sophisticated Tappers!
KOW's summer class for the 50+ crowd was such a hit, we are offering it
again. Whether you're a new dancer or just want to dust off your tap
shoes and jump back in, you'll enjoy this opportunity to make new
friends, enjoy great exercise, and improve coordination and balance! Sign up now for the next Sophisticated Tappers series: November 2, 9, 16 & 23, from 2:30-3:30pm.
Calling all TapGirls, ages 8-14! Sign up today for this exciting 4-class series celebrating girlPOWERtap,
taught by 4 of our fave female faculty members! They'll lead you thru
exercises designed to help you become a more confident improv dancer
and learn some hot new flash moves. You'll pick up tips to improve your
technique, tricks to thrill your audiences ... and so much more. The
series kicks off November 16 from 2:30-4:00pm with TWA's own Assistant
Director, Ms. Lisa Swenton-Eppard. Cost is $30 per class, or sign up for the series for just $100.
Don't forget about our special pre-Thanksgiving weekend!
Wild, Wacky, Wonderful Weekend with TONY WAAG!
 * Friday, November 21 - Our first-ever Master Class For Kidz Only
featuring the incomparable Tony Waag! Dance critic Eva Yaa Asantewaa
says, "I'm convinced that Tony Waag is one of those people put on earth
to help me find my smile when I most need it." The fun kicks off with a
1-hour master class (7-8pm) for tappers ages 8-12 with minimum 2 years
experience.
* Stay around from 8-9pm for our first Kidz Only Friday Night Tap Party,
with tap jams, rhythm games and more, hosted by Tappers With Attitude.
Tony will bring his ukulele (that's a promise, not a threat!).
* Saturday, November 22 - Tony will also teach a fun-filled Master Class for Tappers 13+, with minimum 2 years tap experience, from 11:30am-12:30pm.
 ALOHA! Ever want to go to Hawaii in December? Here's your chance ... sort of. Join us for the first-ever KOW Tap Luau!! All three studios will be open for a fun-filled evening of tap jams, games, crafts, live music, tropical snacks, and more. Come dressed in your best Hawaiian shirt or other tropical attire. Let's warm up the winter with this exciting new event - you will NOT want to miss it! WIth special guest Ann Kilkelly. Friday, December 19, from 7:30-9:30pm.
Tap Into the New Year: Two-Day TapLab for Kidz 8-14
It's winter break and we all want to have a blast, so come on and join us, we're cookin' up all kinds of tap fun for our 2-day mini-camp! Members of TWA will join KOW staff, offering tap classes and choreography sessions, other dance activities, games, and more. We'll be stirring up plenty of good times in TapLab; join us, beat the winter doldrums, make new friends and share in the fun! TapLab will take place Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 29-30. Tap here for more info.
JOB OPENING at KOW: Part-time Administrative Assistant
We're looking for an administrative assistant to our Studio Director. The successful candidate must be able to handle a wide variety of tasks, 15 hours weekly. Schedule is flexible, including at least one evening a week and some weekend hours. If you are interested in dance and/or nonprofit arts management, and want a congenial work situation, this is a great place to be. So if you have excellent communication and computer skills, contact Ms. Yvonne Edwards, 301-495-0395, vox #2.
|
| TAPPERS WITH ATTITUDE News |
 Don't let these performance dates pass you by!
- Cathy & Marcy's 23rd Annual
Winter Family Concert (Dec. 6)
- Tappy Holidays (Dec. 12)
Symphony Space, New York
- Dance Place (March 7 & 8)
- Juvenile Diabetes Benefit
(April 25)
- Atlas Performing Arts Center (June 14 & 15)
|
|
EVER-IMPORTANT KOW FUNDRAISING: Opportunities Through CFC & Sally Foster
|
"Be a Star in Someone's Life" With CFC
 TWA, Inc. is proud to be affiliated with CFC (Combined Federal Campaign), the world's largest and most effective workplace charity campaign. We really need to see an increase in individual contributions again this year, to help offset the very difficult times that the arts are facing in this economic climate. You can help by donating to TWA, Inc. thru CFC - if you are a federal employee and would like to donate to TWA, just click here and enter "tappers" in the search field. You can also download our CFC flyer and give it to friends, family and neighbors who are federal employees. Be sure to tell them to use our CFC number, 68430, when donating. Thank you!
Sally Foster Benefits KOW
  As gift-giving season approaches, please remember that you can purchase high quality gift wrap and accessories, gourmet chocolates, and much more through Sally Foster's website, and KOW will receive a generous portion of the proceeds. Just click on "Give Credit," select "Group/Acct #," select "Group/Acct #" again on the next page, and enter our account # 0746195 (it's easier than it sounds!). Thank you!
|
| *****NEWS FLASH*****NEWS FLASH***** |
 At long last, KOW has a hi-rise faucet in the ladies' room, so water bottles up to 12" in height can now be filled at this sink! We are hoping that this will cut down on the use of throw-away plastic bottles.
For now, the mens' room is without a new faucet, but don't worry, we haven't forgotten about you! We plan to upgrade a faucet there too, as soon as our budget permits.
PLEASE HELP US BY BRINGING YOUR REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLES
FROM HOME!!
|
TWA ALUMS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Rita Wison
|
 Rita M. Wilson has been dancing for over 20 years. She began studying at the Davis Center for the Arts and then moved on to the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet. In her late teen years, she joined Tappers With Attitude, which afforded her the opportunity to dance at the Apollo Theater. Since then, Rita has earned her BS degree in Business Management; her MBA, concentrating in Nonprofit Management; and is currently working on her MA, concentrating in Managerial Accounting. She has used her educational background to develop a nonprofit organization that aids in offering dance scholarships around Washington, DC. Rita has also formed a small tap company that rehearses in her home studio, and is on the faculty at KOW.
|
CLICK 'N CLACK, the TAP-IT SISTERS say... TAP INTO KNOWLEDGE!
|
 This month's TIDBITS dance legend was born in Springfield, MA on November 21, 1912. "Discovered" at age 11, she began a career that included vaudeville revues and Broadway musicals, as well as 14 films. Dance Magazine quotes her as saying, "I never had the slightest idea of becoming a professional dancer when I first went to dancing school... Mother thought it might be a good way of curing me of bashfulness, and it was."
 Her film career captured her distinctive energy and enthusiasm, and showcased her as an exceptional dancer and acrobat, in addition to being an amazing tap dancer. She choreographed and staged most of her own numbers, including pieces like the sensational "drum dance" in Rosalie, which required 27 cameras and 2000 extras.
Director/choreographer Busby Berkeley said about her, "We rehearsed the ending of Fascinatin' Rhythm over and over, and it was two in the morning before we got it right... she was battered and bruised, but never complained. Not a whimper! She wouldn't give up until I had got what I wanted on film. After the preview of the picture, she thanked me. I've known very few women that talented and that gracious."
She appeared with many top leading men including Robert Young, George Murphy, Nelson Eddy, and Fred Astaire. She seldom danced with her co-stars; she was so clearly so much better than most of them, she primarily performed as a soloist. However, in Broadway Melody of 1940, she appeared with Fred Astaire. Together they performed to Cole Porter's Begin the Beguine, which many consider one of the greatest dance performances on film.
QUESTION: Who was Frank Sinatra speaking of when he said, "You know, you can wait around and hope, but I tell you, you'll never see the likes of this again."
LAST MONTH'S QUESTION: What tap legend's career included more than 20 visits to the Ed Sullivan Show?
MS. VICKI'S ANSWER: "I only saw Clayton 'Peg Leg' Bates in live performance once, but what struck me was that his dancing was a fascinating combination of rhythm and tone, incorporating the contrasts in pitch he could achieve with his peg leg's wooden bass-tone and the other leg's higher pitched, metallic tap sound. Bates himself said that he wanted to be as good as any two-legged dancer - but I think he was far better than most!" To learn more, read: "Knockin' on Wood: Starring Peg Leg Bates" for grades 1-4.
|
|
 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.
|
|
