Toffan Rhythm Projects is thrilled to present the inaugural TORONTO INTERNATIONAL TAP DANCE FESTIVAL, presented in partnership with Harbourfront Centre, June 2–4, 2017 at Harbourfront Centre.
With roots in percussive dance traditions such as African tribal dance and Irish jigs, tap dance became popularized on the vaudeville stage. Over the decades, tap dancing has taken on many forms but it has never lost its focus on the musicality of dance. International headlining acts Heather Cornell and Ted Louis Levy represent opposite ends of tap’s spectrum; one uses the sounds of their tap shoes striking the floor as percussion, the other performs accompanied by music in its full force.
The festival will kick off with What The Ear Sees led by Canadian Tap Dance icon, Heather Cornell at the Fleck Dance Theatre on Friday, June 2. Named “The Oscar Peterson of hoofing” by The Globe and Mail, Cornell’s new project, Making Music Dance (NYC) combines African balafon (similar to xylophone), violin, classical guitar, and percussive dance—tap and flamenco—as the sole percussion instrument.
Emmy Award-winner Ted Louis Levy will grace the Fleck Dance Theatre stage with A Class Act, Defined on Saturday, June 3. Joined by a selection of Canada’s finest up-and-coming tap dancers, and accompanied by the Toronto Jazz Orchestra, Levy proves that sophistication and talent transcend time. One of America’s premier tap dance artists, Levy appeared in, and received a Tony Award nomination for choreography with Gregory Hines for, Jelly’s Last Jam.
On Sunday, June 4, Rhythm & Sound will host The Jam in the Brigantine Room. The Jam includes live music, improvisation, choreography, and lots of special guests. Finally, the stage opens up and welcomes tappers of all levels to join in on an improvisation tap party to close out the Festival.
Local commissions from artists including Travis Knights, Dianne Montgomery, Johnathan Morin and Paula Skimin will open for each headliner. Festival programming also includes masterclasses and workshops with Festival artists, a residency program with Ted Louis Levy, and a series of panel discussions. For more information visit toffanrhythmprojects.com/toronto-international-tap-dance-fes.
With roots in percussive dance traditions such as African tribal dance and Irish jigs, tap dance became popularized on the vaudeville stage. Over the decades, tap dancing has taken on many forms but it has never lost its focus on the musicality of dance. International headlining acts Heather Cornell and Ted Louis Levy represent opposite ends of tap’s spectrum; one uses the sounds of their tap shoes striking the floor as percussion, the other performs accompanied by music in its full force.
The festival will kick off with What The Ear Sees led by Canadian Tap Dance icon, Heather Cornell at the Fleck Dance Theatre on Friday, June 2. Named “The Oscar Peterson of hoofing” by The Globe and Mail, Cornell’s new project, Making Music Dance (NYC) combines African balafon (similar to xylophone), violin, classical guitar, and percussive dance—tap and flamenco—as the sole percussion instrument.
Emmy Award-winner Ted Louis Levy will grace the Fleck Dance Theatre stage with A Class Act, Defined on Saturday, June 3. Joined by a selection of Canada’s finest up-and-coming tap dancers, and accompanied by the Toronto Jazz Orchestra, Levy proves that sophistication and talent transcend time. One of America’s premier tap dance artists, Levy appeared in, and received a Tony Award nomination for choreography with Gregory Hines for, Jelly’s Last Jam.
On Sunday, June 4, Rhythm & Sound will host The Jam in the Brigantine Room. The Jam includes live music, improvisation, choreography, and lots of special guests. Finally, the stage opens up and welcomes tappers of all levels to join in on an improvisation tap party to close out the Festival.
Local commissions from artists including Travis Knights, Dianne Montgomery, Johnathan Morin and Paula Skimin will open for each headliner. Festival programming also includes masterclasses and workshops with Festival artists, a residency program with Ted Louis Levy, and a series of panel discussions. For more information visit toffanrhythmprojects.com/toronto-international-tap-dance-fes.
Toffan Rhythm Projects and Harbourfront Centre present
TORONTO INTERNATIONAL TAP DANCE FESTIVAL
June 2–4, 2017
Harbourfront Centre – 235 Queens Quay West
What The Ear Sees
Featuring Heather Cornell and Making Music Dance (NYC)
Plus two world premiere commissions from local artists
Dianne Montgomery and Travis Knights
Friday, June 2, 2017
Fleck Dance Theatre, 8pm
A Class Act, Defined
Featuring Ted Louis Levy and The Toronto Jazz Orchestra
Plus two world premiere commissions from local artists
Johnathan Morin and Paula Skimin
Saturday, June 3
Fleck Dance Theatre, 8pm
Panel Discussions
Moderated by Artistic Director Allison Toffan
Sunday, June 4
The Brigantine Room
2-6pm, FREE
The Jam
Hosted by Rhythm & Sound
Sunday, June 4
The Brigantine Room, 8-10pm
Masterclasses & Workshops run June 2–4
For more information and to submit suggested topics for panel discussions,
please contact toffanrhythmprojects@gmail.com
or visit toffanrhythmprojects.com/toronto-international-tap-dance-fes
Festival Pass – $85
Single Tickets range from $15 – $42.50
Panel Discussions – FREE
For more information and to purchase tickets visit: harbourfrontcentre.com/TorontoInternationalTapDanceFestival
or call 416-973-4000
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