Some of the World’s Top Tap Dancers arrive in region to instruct, perform, meet and celebrate Philly. Friday-Saturday, June 26-27.

For the 6th year, Jaye Allison, Founding director of New LEJA Dances, organizes Jaye Allison’s Philly TAP Challenge (JAPTC) with The Philadelphia Civic Ballet Company (the oldest dance company in the Commonwealth of PA.), to honor Philadelphia’s Tap history. Her vision links today’s generation to Philadelphia streets from the 1930s- 80s, inspiring the future. Open workshops and performances with various styles of Classical and Hoofing Tap Dance, African, Hip-Hop and Lindy Hop styles include: Jason Samuels Smith, Dianne ‘Lady Di’ Walker, Nicholas Sisters, 2nd Generation Silver Belles, Chloe Arnold, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Karen Callaway Williams. Showcase appearances include Philadelphia hoofing professionals, Robert Burden Jr., Rochelle Haynes, Corinne Karon, JoAnna Turner, Darrell Williams, Tim Yue and more along with many students represent the Philadelphia Region over this 2 day blowout of TAP TOWN Philadelphia.

JAPTC is devoted to recognizing the treasure chest Philadelphia holds for Tap and making Tap Dance synonymous with Philadelphia. There are 4 components: Workshops with Master teachers and professionals, Philly TAP Idol Competition (age appropriate), 2 nights of Performance Showcases (Friday, Amateurs and Professionals – Saturday, Professional), the Virtual Quilt Project Premiere.

Philadelphia Inquirer: “TAP TOWN” City Paper “LEJA celebrates and affirms the nurturing power of African American culture.” DANCE Magazine “LEJA’s dancing reinvigorates the standard African American concert dance vocabulary.”

American TAP History – “Yesterday, Today and Forever – in Philadelphia! Workshops, Performances, Showcase, “Tap Challenge Dance-Off,” All-Star Tap Jam Reception, Films and Documentary, Live Jazz, and more!!!”

The Philly Tap Challenge presented by New LEJA Dances, the co & Philadelphia Civic Ballet Co. and made possible through a PA state DCED grant, Senator Mike Stack, and The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through Dance Advance.

JA’s Philly TAP Challenge ‘09 ON FIRE!

Friday-Saturday, June 26-27
all events held at the following locations:
Community Education Center (CEC), 3500 Lancaster Ave
Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center (GBDC), 3611 Lancaster Ave
The Arts Bank Theater (ABT), Broad & South Streets

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY

At Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center (GBDC) or Arts Bank Theater (ABT)

GBDC Studio A
10:00a Stretch Class (PCBC)
10:30a Paddle n Roll (Jaye Allison)
11:40a Choreography (Darrell Williams)
2:30p Student Class (Chloe Arnold)
3:55p Student Class (Karen Callaway Williams)

GBDC Studio B
10:30a Hip Hop
11:40a Lindy Hop
2:25p African

ABT
7:30p Showtime Amateur / Professional Showcase*

At Community Education Center (CEC) in the East Community Room  (ECR) or Meetinghouse Theater (MT)

CEC –ECR
10:40a Teachers Only (Dianne Walker)
11:55 Student Class (Jason Samuels Smith)
2:25p Student Class (Nicole Nicholas)
3:45p Teachers Only (Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards)

CEC – MT
1:25p Tap History (Tony Nicholas)
2:30 Films

SATURDAY

At Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center (GBDC) or Arts Bank Theater (ABT)

GBDC Studio A
10a Stretch Class (PCBC)
10:30a Student Class (Corinne Karon)
11:40a Student Class (Tim Yue)
2:30p Student Class (Robert Burden)
3:55p Student Class (Dianne Walker)

GBDC Studio B
10:30a Hip Hop
11:40a Lindy Hop
2:25p African

ABT
7:30p Showtime Amateur / Professional Showcase*

At Community Education Center (CEC) East Community Room  (ECR) or Meetinghouse Theater (MT)

CEC -ECR
10:40a Teachers Only (Chloe Arnold)
11:55 Student Class (Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards)

CEC – MT
11a Tap Films
1:30p Tap History (Dianne Walker)
2:30 Films

CEC – ECR:
2:25p Student Class (Cathie Nicholas)
3:45p Teachers Only (Jason Samuels Smith)

*Both showcases featured house band is the first Lady of Jazz Guitar, Monnette Sudler and her Quartet.

Tickets on sale on Dance Box Office
http://www.DanceBoxOffice.com

Information & Updated Schedules
http://www.phillytapchallenge.webs.com/