Tap dance, creating music with your shoes.
Tap dance originated in the United States by blending various types of dance styles from different cultures. It combined West African step dances with Scottish, Irish, and English dances like clogs, hornpipes, and jigs.
For a long time, people believed that tap dance started when enslaved Africans and Irish servants observed each other’s dances on Southern plantations. But later, in the 20th century, researchers suggested it might have developed in crowded urban areas like New York City’s Five Points District, where people from various ethnic backgrounds lived closely together, influenced by the rhythms of the machine age.
In the 1800s, dance competitions were popular entertainment. These contests, also known as “cutting contests,” helped new talent grow as dancers learned from each other. One of the earliest recorded contests happened in 1844 between Black dancer William Henry Lane, or Master Juba, and Irish dancer John Diamond.
The addition of “taps” or metal pieces.
The primary place to showcase tap dance during this time was in minstrel shows, which peaked around 1850 to 1870. Tap dance evolved over the following years, mixing elements from various styles like buck dancing, soft-shoe dancing, and buck-and-wing dancing.
The tap dance we know today started to take shape in the 1920s when “taps” (metal pieces) were added to shoe soles, making it easier to produce the distinctive tapping sound.
This led to the emergence of tap dancing as a recognized art form, seen in shows like “Shuffle Along” in 1921. Tap dancers like Harland Dixon and Jimmy Doyle played a crucial role in shaping the art with their skills and creativity. They also influenced American music in the early to mid-20th century, as drummers drew inspiration from their rhythmic patterns and innovations, which were ahead of their time in syncopation.
Taps and brooms.
You wouldn’t believe that such a combination exists, would you? But yes, if you think of dancing and music, you can actually incorporate anything that creates sound.
This is a perfect example of that unusual combination. When a group of tap dancers used brooms on stage to create an artistically made tap dance choreography, everyone was stunned because it turned out great both to the eyes and ears.
They were led by one of Israel’s foremost and seasoned tap dance instructors, Yuval Beck. He holds the distinguished title of an honorary member within the international organization AIDT and has imparted his knowledge through numerous master classes and workshops both in Israel and overseas.
Yuval’s talents extend beyond teaching, as he has graced stages nationwide with his remarkable performances and directed numerous acclaimed professional shows.
Within his studio, an array of tap classes awaits eager learners, catering to children, teenagers, and adults of all skill levels. Regardless of age or experience, there is a tap class tailored to suit everyone’s passion and enthusiasm for this rhythmic art form.
Commended choreography.
Actually, it wasn’t just the tap dancing and brooms that carried the entire performance but also the colorful visuals of their costumes. It undeniably made a huge impact in adding not just color but also overall appeal and flavor.
Beck and his team of amazing dancers managed to incorporate different broom sounds into almost the entirety of their performance. Nobody missed a tap and nobody missed a beat, everyone was in unison all throughout.
The tap dance performance ended flawlessly and the audience showered the performers with cheers and rounds of applause. We can’t wait to see what they’d use next on their performance, a mop perhaps? Well, let’s find that out on their next performance.
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