How do you celebrate such a special day as Tap Dance Day? You get all your friends together, you reminisce, you dance together, you learn some new things, you give a few scholarships away, you get an award, you hang out some more, and then you do something completely new. This upcoming weekend will be full of celebrations for me, and I am so grateful to be able to share such moments.
Getting all your friends together…
On Saturday evening I will be receiving the Flo-Bert Award for Lifetime Achievement and Excellence in the Art of Tap Dance. There is no way that I would be able to accept such an honor without sharing the moment with those who’ve given so much to the crazy visions I’ve had over the years. On the boards, those people have been the members of Cats Paying Dues. So we’re planning a special something for the Tap Extravaganza. It’s been such a blast to reconnect with company members from as far back as 2005 (I can’t believe it’s almost been 10 years), and I’m looking forward to sharing the stage with them on Saturday night at the 25th celebration of National Tap Dance Day.
Learn some New Things…
The Tap Legacy Foundation is launching a brand new website on the 25th Anniversary of National Tap Dance Day. TapDanceDay.org will feature the first full documentation of the establishment of National Tap Dance Day, and serve as a platform for the continued celebration of the art form on an annual basis. It’s been great to learn about where the idea for the legislation came from, who was involved, and even some precursors to the bill that no one knew about!! Read the full story when the site launches this Sunday May 25th.
Giving a few Scholarships away…
The Tap Into Freedom Summer Intensive Social Media Scholarship winners (sponsored by SoDanca) will be announced on Sunday, May 25th, the 25th Anniversary of National Tap Dance Day!!! There’s time to get in on the Ruben Sanchez Dancewear Scholarship (for new customers only, purchase required) if you haven’t already. Otherwise note that early registration ends on May 26th!
I get an award…
On Saturday night at 7:00pm at the Norman Thomas High School Auditorium, I will be one of four recipients of the Flo-Bert Award for Lifetime Achievement and Excellence in the Art of Tap Dance. I am humbled beyond belief to receive the same honor that had been bestowed on the men and women whom I’ve looked to for wisdom during the entirety of my journey as a tap dancer. What an honor. Come and join me at the Tap Extravaganza!!! (Tickets available at the door)
You hang out some more…
During the 1989 PBS special, Tap Dance in America, Gregory Hines says that tap dancers don’t often get together, and so when we do we take the chance to hang out. So this Saturday night, we’re going to take the chance. After the Tap Extravaganza, I’m going to make my way to The Cutting Room (44 East 32nd Street, off Park Ave.) just to hang. This is the venue where I performed Andrew Nemr and Friends a few times last season. It has a great vibe, long bar, and lots of room for people to chill. Come by and hang!!!!
And now for Something Completely Different…sort of…
On Sunday, the actual day, May 25th, Bill Robinson’s birthday and the 25th Anniversary of National Tap Dance Day, I’ll be doing something I’ve never done before. I’ll be giving a sermon at Graffiti Church. But like most of my public speaking, I’ll be tap dancing while doing it. My faith has been an integral part of my life, and I try not to hide it, but actually giving a sermon is definitely new territory for me. I’ll be speaking at 10AM and 6:30PM. If your curious or interested, come see and hear me do something new.
