For many people viewing the masters of tap dance on screen is entertaining, but actually seeing their famous routines on stage is an awesome experience.
Tapestry Dance Company realizes that when it comes to tap dance, the past is just as important as the present.
The company’s latest production, The Souls of Our Feet, celebrates both the traditional and contemporary styles of this American art form.
Souls of Our Feet will be offered during a special showing at Pike Performing Arts Center on Jan. 19.
This fast-paced production honors the work of such legends as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, the Nicholas Brothers, Charles “Honi” Coles, Eleanor Powell, Jeni Legon, Motown choreographer Cholly Atkins and film star Fred Astaire as well as contemporary tap masters.
Souls of Our Feet is a montage of film and live performance that features segments with footage of tap icons, followed by live stage routines by members of the 20-plus Tapestry Dance Company. Their work is combined with music played by the Eddy Hobizal Jazz Trio.
“It’s a mix of video clips and live dancing,” explained Jeff Maess, director of the Pike Performing Arts Center. “They don’t try to recreate the steps of the classic dancers because that is virtually impossible. But what they do is dance in the same style as the legends, and it’s very entertaining.”
Maess added that Souls of Our Feet complements the Pike Performing Arts Center’s goal of offering a variety of diverse productions.
“We’ve been hosting productions like this for over 10 years, and it’s common for us to bring in a dance company that’s doing something different than what’s being done by other dance companies.”
The Tapestry Dance Company is a professional, non-profit dance organization based in Texas that was established in 1989 by rhythm tap dancer Acia Gray and ballet/jazz artist Deirdre Strand. Home to several resident artists and sponsor of several touring productions, the company has worked with such tap luminaries as Fayard Nicholas and Gregory Hines.
In a statement, the company says it is a unique privilege to be able to offer a unique performance such as Souls of Our Feet:
“It is our goal to truly celebrate the wonderful world of tap dance with not only a selection of film classics, but to be able to showcase some of the incredible artists that people don’t know.”
Since its first run the production has received positive reviews, including one written by theater critic Clare Croft following an encore performance in Austin, Texas. Writing for the Austin American Statesman newspaper, she noted that the most fulfilling moments of the production arrive when the dancers themselves seemed overwhelmed by the talent of their predecessors.
“When dancer Jason Janas finished ‘On With the Dance’ from the 1937 film ‘The Varsity Show,” then stopped, chest up, and proudly watched John “Bubbles” Sublett and Ford “Buck” Lee dance on the screen at the back of the stage, Janas made the sincerest connection between Tapestry’s today and all those tapping yesterdays.”
Souls of Our Feet will be shown on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. at the Pike Performing Arts Center, 6701 Zionsville Road. Tickets are $20 and $18, with special discounts for seniors. For more information call (317) 216-5455.
