CALENDAR
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February 1, 8, 15, 22
Don't Sweat the Technique Series
(4 week technique-only classes)
February 27
Kidz Tap Workshop (Ages 10-14)
With Jeffrey Williams
February 27
Kidz Tap Party
Special Guest: Jeffrey Williams
March 7 & 8
Tappers With Attitude present:
Tapestry of Rhythm
(Dance Place)
March 16-21
Skip Week at KOW
(Make-up classes)
March 23
KOW Spring Session Begins
Schedule Available Online: Feb. 15
March 27
Master Class & Tap Party
March 29
SUPER SUNDAY at KOW
girlPowerTap
Boys Bustin' Loose
Kathleen Cirioli-Master Classes
Prof.Tap Teacher Seminar
Special Guest: Kathleen Cirioli
April 6-10
JRJP Teen Tap Intensive
April 6-10
"Dance Passport" Spring Break Camp
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DONATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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DONATE NOW
Thank You!
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KNOCK ON WOOD Studio News
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Happy (TA)President's Day
from Mt. Tapmore!
(NOT "rocks in our head" but "our heads rock!")
Become a KOW Fan!
A terrific way to be "in the know" is to join KOW on Facebook. Become a "fan," and you'll find it simple to keep abreast of news and events. Special opportunities for TapHappiness sometimes come up suddenly - these will be posted on Facebook but might not appear in this newsletter. So come check us out on Facebook, where we'll be also be posting photos from master classes and events, and other news. Photo albums from the tap luau and recent master class are already posted, so drop by and see if you're included!
On Our Wishlist
Did Santa bring you a new small, digital camera? Is your older camera sitting on a shelf, collecting dust? KOW would dearly love to have an "onsite" camera that we could grab anytime a class is lookin' great, or there's Something Special going on. With a "resident" camera, we could shoot a few pix, quickly add them to our Facebook page... and voila... share more TapHappiness with our friends! If you have a hand-me-down digital camera in working order, please consider making it a tax deductible donation!
KOW TAP CAMPS for 2009
*SPRING BREAK CAMPS
 We have two terrific programs planned for Spring Break (April 6-10). For 'tweens and teens with some tap experience, we're pleased to announce the return of Jump Rhythm Jazz Project's Teen Tap Week. What a great way to stay busy and have a blast during spring break! And for younger dancers, including those with little or no prior tap, our dance-around-the-world Dance Passport program returns! Check out pix from last year's camp.
 *SUMMER CAMPS: 3 WEEKS!
And for those of you already making summer plans, here are dates for Summer 2009:
- July 13-17, 2009
- July 27-31, 2009
- August 10-14, 2009
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| TAPPERS WITH ATTITUDE News |
Special TWA Concert Notes:
TWA's Tapestry of Rhythm concerts at Dance Place feature our
high-octane young artists honoring classic tap dance and dancers,
presenting exciting works by contemporary tap artists, and adding their
own inventive new voices to today's tap scene. You'll want to be there
for these family-friendly events!
And... the Washington DC metro area comes together to celebrate two tap dance legends in LEGacy: A Tap Tribute to LaVaughn Robinson and Jimmy Slyde. Headline performances by Chloe Arnold, Robert Burden, Heather Cornell, Germaine Ingram, and Baakari Wilder.
Don't miss Tappers With Attitude in concert:
- LEGacy: A Tap Tribute to LaVaughn Robinson & Jimmy Slyde
(Feb. 7)
- Tapestry of Rhythm at Dance Place (March 7 & 8)
- 7th Annual World Dance Showcase at Publick Playhouse
(March 21)
-Juvenile Diabetes Benefit (April 25)
- National Tap Dance Day: Tap Into Silver Spring (May 29)
- Atlas Performing Arts Center (June 14 & 15)
Photo © Kevin D. Dohmen, www.luminousview.net |
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SAVE THE DATE: National Tap Dance Day 2009
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 It's too soon to let the (tap) cat out of the (shoe) bag, but we wanted to give you this important heads up right away. Knock On Wood & Tappers With Attitude are planning a terrific event to celebrate National Tap Dance Day 2009! Mark your calendar now, and stay tuned for updates.
You'll most definitely want to Tap Into Silver Spring on May 29.
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TWA, Inc. FUNDRAISING UPDATE
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  We love our donors!
So many of your have responded so generously to our annual fundraising appeal, YOU KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF!
In November, you probably received our annual appeal letter from our board of directors. Reponse has been generous - and heart-warming! If you misplaced your letter, we'd still be grateful for your contribution - every gift, no matter what size, is important to us. You can mail your check, or put your donation on PayPal or a credit card by clicking on the "Donate Now" button in the sidebar of this newsletter, or on our website.
The mission of Tappers With Attitude, Inc. is to provide tap dance education and performance opportunities for dancers of all ages and abilities; to foster pride in cultural heritage among children, youth, and adults in the communities we serve; and to preserve and promote the uniquely American art of tap dance, with an emphasis on the jazz and rhythm tap tradition.
Please know that you are all very important partners in our mission, and we are grateful for your ongoing support.
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CLICK 'N CLACK, the TAP-IT SISTERS say... TAP INTO KNOWLEDGE!
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 OUR VALENTINE'S DAY TAP SWEETHEART
In 1944, a young girl was born in Mumbai to Jewish parents who had fled to India from Burma. Hers was a very musical family - she grew up listening to classical Indian music, as well as classical Western music, and plenty of American jazz. As a teen, she studied Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form... and loved to dance to American rock and roll! All these elements combined helped her develop into an intellectually curious dancer of wide-ranging creative interests and sensibilities.
After moving to Brooklyn in the early '60's, she studied tap with the great Henry LeTang. She then married, moved to Paris, and began a family.
 She resumed her tap studies, and in the early '70's first saw the brilliant Jimmy Slyde perform. As their friendship deepened, so did her immersion in jazz, and in tap. She performed as a soloist, and in 1984 made her debut as Slyde's dance partner. They remained close until his death in 2008.
In 1989, the family moved to Chicago for 5 years and she became a well-known teacher and performer on the American tap dance festival circuit. She returned to Paris, but continues to perform throughout the world. Her daughter Leela is also a gifted tap dancer whose performances often feature her distinctively cutting-edge hip-hop sensibility.
QUESTION: Ms. Vicki says, "One of my favorite memories is of seeing her perform at Chicago's famed Jazz Showcase, with jazz violin legend Johnny Frigo." Can you name her? (Hint: you'll see her in our 2004 National Tap Dance Day show at the Kennedy Center.)
VALENTINE'S DAY CONTEST: Please email your answer to the studio. The first 20 correct responses will be put in a hat on February 14, and the winner's name drawn. The prize is a rare, autographed copy of photographer Peter Petronio's wonderful book, "Footprints: A Tap Dancer's World." This book is out of print, and used copies sell for over $200. This contest is open to all TIDBITS readers!
LAST MONTH'S Q&A: Those of you who joined us for Ann Kilkelly's January master class had a great time learning Howard "Sandman" Sims' Drum Round. Now you know his birth name, AND some of his classic choreography!
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 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.
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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.
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