The American Tap Dance Foundation Celebrated at Lincoln Center

The American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF) will be honored on Thursday, July 11 at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Bruno Walter Auditorium, 111 Amsterdam Ave, from 6-8pm. Hosted by the Board of the American Tap Dance Foundation and the Jerome Robbins Dance Division of the Library for the Performing Arts, A Celebration of The American Tap Dance Foundation will include the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Tony Waag, ATDF Founding Artistic/Executive Director, for his 24 years of service, leadership, and inspiration to the tap community. This event is FREE and open to the public. Registration is advised.

Directed by four-time Tony Award nominee Randy Skinner, the celebratory evening will include live performance, speeches, and a screening of archival footage reflecting on the history of the Foundation. The lineup includes actor Bill Irwin and top tappers Chloe Arnold and Michelle Dorrance; a presentation of “Just in Time,” restaged and choreographed by Tony Waag; “Taking a Chance on Love,” performed by Brenda Bufalino & Tony Waag, choreographed by Charles “Honi” Coles and Brenda Bufalino; and a performance by “Tap & Tray,” with dancers Kurt Albert & Klaus Bleis from Germany. Lynn Schwab, Karen Callaway Williams, Jenai Cutcher, Ivan Owens, Adante Power and Felipe Galganni – ATDF staff, teachers, and ATDF Artists in Residence – round out the performance cast.

Speeches will be given by Lynn Dally (Director of Jazz Tap Ensemble), Barbara Duffy & Margaret Morrison (American Tap Dance Orchestra Alumni); Terry Brock (Portland Dancer/Teacher & Recent Hoofer Award Recipient), Deborah Mitchell (Director of New Jersey Tap Ensemble), Acia Gray (Artistic Director Soul to Sole Tap Festival – Austin, Texas), Hoagy B. Carmichael (son of the legendary composer and former member of ATDF Board), and Mercedes Ellington (Artistic Director of Duke Ellington Center for the Arts). Video greetings will be broadcast from Brazil, as well as special notes from dancers DeWitt Fleming, Dario Natarelli, Caleb Teicher, Max Pollak, and Demi Remick.

After decades of sharing the joy of tap dance, the Board of the American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF) and its leadership announced on March 4 the closing of The American Tap Dance Center, located at 154 Christopher Street in New York City, effective June 30. Also announced was the downsizing of the ATDF non-profit organization (which will retain its 501c3 status as a nonprofit organization to produce projects and programs in the future) and the cancellation of Tap City, the annual New York City Tap Festival, which would have celebrated its 24th year. The Library of the Performing Arts tribute event on July 11 will honor the ATDF legacy.

“NYC Tap Dance Central,” a new company with the goal of continuing the Youth and Adult educational programs offered by ATDF, has been created by Susan Hebach, longtime ATDF staff member and Director of the ATDF Youth Program and Tap City Youth Ensemble. Programming will begin in September 2024 at the Tap Dance Center’s current space, 154 Christopher Street #2B, New York, NY 10014. “NYC Tap Dance Central” will include a dedicated tap dance space for tap artists. For more information, visit NYCTapDanceCentral.com or email Ms. Hebach at shebach@nyctapdancecentral.com.

Chloe Arnold Apt. 33 Sing Sing Sing at ATDF Rhythm in Motion, Tap City Festival, Photo credit Amanda Gentile