Chicago Human Rhythm Project to Host 2013 RHYTHM WORLD, 7/22-8/4

Highlighting the depth and breadth of national and international tap artistry, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, the nation's premier presenter of American tap dance and contemporary percussive arts, presentsRhythm World, the oldest and most comprehensive festival of American tap and contemporary percussive arts in the world, July 22-August 4, 2013 in downtown Chicago. Rhythm World is presented in association with theMuseum of Contemporary Art, Chicago.

CHRP's 23rd annual festival of performance, education and community outreach programs, directed by Founder and Director Lane Alexander, features an extraordinary master faculty in two weeks of residencies, courses, workshops, master classes, student showcases, tap jams, a cutting contest and conferences for the field at the American Rhythm Center, located in the historic Fine Arts Building, as well as faculty concerts at the Jazz Showcase and the Edlis Neeson Theater at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago.

Tap Scholar Awards

Each year, CHRP awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving, talented teens so they may participate in Rhythm World. This year, 20 deserving students earned tuition support during CHRP's February 2013 Winter Tap JAMboree and at select auditions around the globe (Tokyo, Zurich, Rio, Stuttgart and Toronto). "These scholarships support CHRP's mission to build community by bringing together students from different backgrounds and places to meet their international peers and study with great and emerging masters," said Alexander. Founded in 1995 to honor the life of CHRP Co-Founder Kelly Michaels, the Rhythm World Tap Scholar Award program has provided more than $225,000 in financial aid to more than 200 talented, deserving young dancers from Chicago and throughout the United States as well as international exchange students.

Education programs

Rhythm World begins July 22-26 with intensive residencies led by Chicago native, Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Ted Louis Levy; next generation tap phenomenon Jason Janas; and international tap performer Charles Renato from Brazil.

Courses, workshops and master classes take place July 29-August 4. The highly respected faculty of master teachers, many of whom have taught at the festival throughout its 23-year history, includes Lane Alexander, Bril Barrett, Julie Cartier, Zada Cheeks, Starinah Dixon, recent Princess Grace Award winner Michelle Dorrance,Martin "Tre" Dumas, Derick K. Grant, Jason Janas, Lisa La Touche, Nico Rubio, Sarah Savelli, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Jumaane Taylor, Dianne "Lady Di" Walker, Sam Weber, Mark Yonally, Nicholas Young and guests from Brazil Marina Coura, Charles Renato and Leonardo Sandoval.

The KIDS Program July 30-August 1 offers intermediate tappers ages nine through 12 a curriculum including oral and video histories, tap technique classes, improvisation instruction and individual development of style and expressive ability. After Work Adult Courses also take place July 30-August 1.

Conferences for the field

Now in its 12th year, CHRP's annual Youth Tap Ensemble Conference (YTEC) and PrepTEC, now in its fifth year, take place July 29-August 2. YTEC is one of the most comprehensive programs available to tap ensembles. Students work with masters on technique and improvisation, meet with specialists regarding related disciplines and learn new choreography. PrepTEC offers the same opportunities for study to intermediate-level tappers.More than 90 dancers between the ages of 12 and 19, representing 10 youth tap ensembles from the U.S., Brazil and Canada, will gather to study new choreography, technique, improvisation and theatre-related topics. This year's YTEC and PrepTEC participants will learn original choreographies from Charles Renato, Jumaane Taylorand STOMP's Nicholas Young.

All education programs take place at the American Rhythm Center, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago. To register, visit chicagotap.org or call 312-542-CHRP (2477).

Performances by Rhythm World faculty, students and Virtual Rhythms winners

Rhythm World features a performance component during its second week. The opening night July 29performance at 8 p.m. features Rhythm World faculty and students performing with jazz musicians at the Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court. Tickets are $10-25 at the door.

Rhythm World culminates with CHRP's annual festival concerts, "JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance," featuring a host of extraordinary foot drummers and percussive arts masters July 31, August 1 and August 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Edlis Neeson Theater at the MCA, 220 E. Chicago Avenue. Also on these programs are the winners of Virtual Rhythms, CHRP's fourth online competition offering exposure for emerging tap choreographers and videographers. The programs, accompanied by the Greg Spero Trio, are as follows:

- July 31--Broadway and Bronzeville: Tony-nominated and Helen Hayes and Emmy award-winning performer and choreographer Ted Louis Levy offers an excerpt of his show Sammy - The Life and Times of Sammy Davis Jr., with performances by Chicago's M.A.D.D. Rhythms and Rhythm World guests including STOMP's Lisa La Touche and Jason Janas accompanied by the Greg Spero Trio and a screening of the 2013 Virtual Rhythms Videography winner.

- August 1--Berkshires and Brazil: Brazilian "sapateado" guest artists Marina Coura, Charles Renato andLeonardo Sandoval (featured on Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony's Q-Vida!), accompanied by their Brazilian quartet--Rodrigo Paiva, Alexandre Damaria, Leandro Fortes and Rafael Calegari--perform a world premiere evening of Brazilian rhythms and dance created for the MCA. And direct from the world premiere of her evening-length work The Blues Project at Jacob's Pillow, Bessie and Princess Grace Award winner Michelle Dorrance shares the stage with Broadway stars Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Derick K. Grant, STOMP's Nicholas Young and CHRP's ensemble BAM! performing Dorrance's award winning Push Past Break with the Greg Spero Trio.

- August 3--Bad Boys, Back Beats and Best Bets: Jason Janas, Sam Weber, Martin "Tre" Dumas,Jumaane Taylor and Nico Rubio push the limits of dynamic physical rhythmic expression with the Greg Spero Trio, joined by emerging voices "discovered" at this year's festival and the 2013 Virtual Rhythms Choreography Winner.

Tickets to the "JUBA!" performances are $25-$32 and go on sale May 25, National Tap Dance Day.Call 312-397-4010 or visit mcachicago.org. Performances sell out every year, early purchase is advised. All programming is subject to change.