The American Tap Dance Foundation announces 2023 line up for Tap City

Tap City, the New York City Tap Festival will return for its 23rd year Monday, July 3 through Saturday, July 8, with special events, local and international tap dance artists, choreographic residencies, and master classes. Tap City, produced by The American Tap Dance Foundation, is the week-long celebration of tap dance which returns to New York City each July.

“We’re thrilled to see tappers from near and far returning to New York to join us at Tap City. The Festival is a great tradition, and we’re excited to be back live for the second-year, post-pandemic,” said Tony Waag, ATDF Executive/Artistic Director.

This year’s events will kick off at The American Tap Dance Center, 154 Christopher Street in New York’s historic Greenwich Village, with Festival students, teachers, staff & guest artists gathering for a “Meet & Greet” and film presentation celebrating 23 years of Tap City. This welcoming Open House, on July 3, will be followed by a Copasetic Boat Ride around Manhattan on July 5; the return of Tap Treasures, a walking tour of New York’s famed tap dance landmarks on July 6; and, at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, Symphony Space, ATDF’s Tap Future concert and Tap Dance Awards on July 7, and Rhythm in Motion, Tap City’s boundary breaking tap dance concert performance on July 8.

The Copasetic Boat Ride will be on Wednesday, July 5. The boat boards at 6:30pm, sails at 7:00pm, and returns at 10:00pm. This is Tap City’s cruise around Manhattan with live music, entertainment and tap jam performances by Tap City festival students, teachers and local tap professionals. Tickets: General $45 (In Advance) $50 (On-Site) 

The Tap Treasures Tour will be on Thursday, July 6 from 6pm to 8pm. Tap Treasures was first introduced at Tap City 2016, designed to provide numerous opportunities for festival students, and the public, to learn more about and experience the rich evolution of tap dance in its hometown, NYC. Tap Treasures revisits eight historic locations in Manhattan that contributed to the development of the medium. Upon arrival, participants receive a “Tap Map,” identifying key locations important to tap dance history. Historic details and a fun, interactive discussion take place at each landmark – a walk down memory lane. Tickets: General $25 (In Advance) $30 (On-Site) 

On Friday July 7, enjoy the Tap Future Concert and the ATDF Tap Dance Awards. Tap City puts ALL their students on stage with newly minted work from the Tap City 2023 Residencies, selected works created by ATDF students and faculty with surprise guests. Film clips and performances will honor this year’s winners of the annual Hoofer, Tap Preservation, and International Tap Dance Hall of Fame awards. Tickets: General $45 (In Advance) $50 (On-Site) Children 17 & under/Student/Senior: $25. 

Finally, enjoy the Rhythm in Motion Concert Performance on Saturday, July 8 from 8:00pm-10:00pm. This year’s performance will revive classic repertory works by Brenda Bufalino, Lynn Dally, Acia Gray and Gregory Hines. Historic tap dance choreography will share the stage with boundary-breaking new takes on tap by ATDF Artists-in-Residence Vikas Arun, ACM Collective, Sydney Burtis, Erik Dacaminada, Felipe Galganni, Cara Hagan, and Demi Remick. Tap on Tap, an “all abilities” tap dance company integrating tap dancers and tap dancers with disabilities, will also show new work at this special performance. Tickets: General $45 (In Advance) $50 (On-Site) Children 17 & under/Student/Senior: $25.

In July, the American Tap Dance Foundation will celebrate 37 years since its founding by tap master Charles “Honi” Coles, his protégée Brenda Bufalino, and the Foundation’s current artistic and executive director, Tony Waag. Visit atdf.org to purchase tickets for this year’s Tap City Festival and to learn more.