Community, Equity, Excellence: A Preview of “Bridging the Gap” at the Harold Washington Cultural Center

Starinah “Star” Dixon of M.A.D.D. Rhythms from 2021 performance of “HOOFIN’ IT” /Photo: Nate Crossley

M.A.D.D. Rhythms and Chicago Tap Theatre are coming together to celebrate National Tap Dance Day in a performance entitled “Bridging the Gap: One Step at a Time” at the Harold Washington Cultural Center Sunday, May 22. Dancing under the name of the Chicago Tap All-Stars, one goal of the event is to set the stage for more collaboration and inclusivity in Chicago’s expansive tap scene.
“All Stars was created to work with the tap community to create a place where all can feel welcomed,” Bril Barrett, artistic director of M.A.D.D. Rhythms emails. “As All Stars, we celebrate this art form in an environment that encourages individuality, originality while paying respect to the past and laying the groundwork for a strong future. This project is predicated on three values: community, equity and excellence. Community is the bedrock of Chicago Tap All Stars, and a defining part of Tap Dance, in the past and present. Equity is a guiding principle of Chicago Tap All Stars and is critical in making a future free of the historical inequities of the past. Excellence is a hallmark of Chicago tap dance. Ultimately, the hope is that this organization and its activities can help heal the tap community.”

The show will feature performances—most with live music—by Marty and Jessica Bronson, Tre Dumas, Jenai Cutcher, Jay Fagan, Footprints, Jimmy Payne Jr., Matt Pospeshil, Nico Rubio, the Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre and Patti Vickerman. For those unable to make the one-day-only event, “Bridging the Gap” will be recorded and livestreamed June 3-12 as part of Chicago Dance Month.

“Bridging the Gap: One Step at a Time” at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 South King Drive. Sunday, May 22 at 3pm. $28-$42. Tickets at Eventbrite.com.