Today Is National Tap Dance Day!

National Tap Dance Day — The Bill

When was the bill passed?

On November 7, 1989 the bill was signed into law by President George Herbert Bush

Who was involved?

Nicola Daval, Carol Vaughn and Linda Christensen of the Tap America Project (TAP) were all very active in the promotion of the U.S. Joint Resolution declaring May 25^th National Tap Dance Day that was introduced and overseen by Congressman John Conyers and Senator Alfonse D’Amato.

Gregory Hines, Harold Nicholas, Savion Glover, Sandman Sims and many other tap dancers and supporters were present when Congressman Conyers announced the bill into affect.

Why May 25^th?

May 25^th is the anniversary of Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson’s birthday.

Who is Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson?

Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson (May 25, 1878 – November 25, 1949) is best known for his appearances as an American tap dancer on the stage and in film. Many recognize him for his dancing with child star Shirley Temple during 1930s. Tap dancers recognize his steps and dancing style as a tap dancer who was always on the balls of his feet.

“Robinson gained his nickname because of his reputation as a “jangler” and is immortalized in the song “Mr. Bojangles.” He arrived in New York in 1898 and, within ten years, was a vaudeville soloist and star, billed as Dark Cloud of Joy. His Stair Dance was perfected in the early 1920s, but Robinson’s number became classic as performed with Shirley Temple in The Little Colonel (1935), one of fourteen movies. The first of six Broadway shows was Blackbirds of 1928. Robinson reached an entirely new audience with Michael Todd’s Swing Mikado, when the production moved from the Great White Way to New York’s 1939 World’s Fair. The first black soloist to star on white vaudeville circuits, he was a headliner for forty years, known for strict tempos and smooth shifts executed on his toes. Robinson coined the word “copasetic,” to signify “all is fine.” Formed in 1949, the black dance fraternity became the Copasetics in his honor.” — Dance Heritage Coalition

More on Bojangles:

Tap Dance Hall of Fame – Online Bio || National Tap Dance Foundation

Some Excellent Film and Documentary Clips || Robinson Theater

Bojangles (film) starring Gregory Hines || Netflix (or via Amazon: Bojangles)

Rap A Tap Tap, Here’s Bojangles – Think of That! (children’s book)

Mr. Bojangles: The Biography of Bill Robinson

 

How do tap dancers celebrate National Tap Dance Day?

In the United States, many workshops are offered as well as performances and jam sessions.

To mention a few events taking place this year:

• “Tradition In Tap” – May 29^th-31^st in NYC. Honoring Bill Scheerer. www.traditionintap.com
• “Tap Extravaganza” – May 30^th in NYC. Honoring ATDF, BDC, Steps on Broadway, Randy Skinner and David Gilmore. www.nytap.org
• “Tap Jam at Skipper’s” – May 25^th in NJ (304 University Ave, Newark NJ  8:00PM-midnight)
• “Hoofer’s Night” – May 22^nd in Los Angeles at Universal Dance Design
• “So You Think You Can Tap?” – May 25^th in San Francisco, special guest Arthur Duncan www.soyouthinkyoucantap.com

National Tap Dance Day has evolved into an international celebration

To mention a few events taking place this year:

• Japan began celebrating “National Tap Day Japan” in 1991 with an annual performance that has taken place in the month of April. www.ntdj.tap-wonderland.com/
• Russia will have an “International Tap Day Celebration” May 24^th-25^th www.vortexdance.ru/news.php?id=84
• Spain’s Barcelona Tap Festival is May 23^rd-30^th www.tapbcn.com

How can YOU celebrate National Tap Dance Day?

• Attend one of the events listed above
• Watch a tap dance movie or documentary (Tap, White Nights, Singin’ in the Rain, The Cotton Club, Been Rich All My Life, By Word of Foot, No Maps on My Taps)
• Read a tap dance book (Inside Tap, The Souls of Your Feet, Tap Roots: The Early History of Tap Dancing, Gabriella’s Tap Shoes, Tap Dancing America)
• Look up Bojangles and other tap dancers on YouTube
• Visit www.famoustapdancers.com and watch footage
• Learn how to tap dance
• Spread the word about National Tap Dance Day
• Donate to an organization that supports tap dance
• Put your shoes on
• Register for a tap festival [Jersey Tap Fest (NJ), LA Tap Fest (CA), Rhythm World (IL), Motor City Tap Fest (MI), Tap City (NY), St. Louis Tap Festival (MO), Tap Into A Cure (Canada)…  and many more!] Visit the listing of summer festivals on Dance Advantage and check out www.tapdance.org for more tap festivals taking place internationally

Thanks to Hillary-Marie for her contribution to Dance Advantage on this special day! Be sure to check out the Jersey Tap Fest website and stay updated via their page on Facebook. Register TODAY (5/25/10) and get a 10% discount on packages.

A Native of New Jersey, HILLARY-MARIE is best known throughout the Tri-State area as a tap soloist, performer, choreographer and teacher who specializes in the American art form of rhythm tap dance. She established an entrepreneurial stance at a young age by managing local musicians in the tri-state area under Fireshot Promotions and is now the Founder and Director of Jersey Tap Fest, an annually fantastic New Jersey tap dance even that will educate and serve diverse students with great passion for tap dance. As a reputable tap dance instructor, Hillary teaches weekly tap dance classes across the state of New Jersey. In addition to the dance, look forward to seeing her featured in the Crystal Glass Cosmetics catalog.

Tell us how you are celebrating National Tap Dance Day in the comments!