TAP INTERNATIONALS Set for 7/11 at Symphony Space

The world's leading artists will present and explore new work in a tap dance global mix at TAP INTERNATIONALS, Thursday, July 11 at Symphony Space, (PJ Sharp Theater), 7:30pm. The production is part of the week-long annualTAP CITY Festival (July 6-13), presented by the American Tap Dance Foundation in Tap's home town, New York City.

Tap Internationals will feature a mix of international artists, including soloists, contemporary tap ensembles, raw talent and leading tap masters, who will combine tap dance with world music, body percussion, gumboot, funk, swing, step dance, vocals and storytelling in an evening of global magic. New work will be introduced, demonstrating tap's fluidity and evolution, particularly its ability to intersect with a broad cross-section of percussive dance, music and cultures.

Participants include Brenda Bufalino (US), Flavia Costa (Brazil), Felipe Galganni (Brazil), Corey Hutchins (US), Chikako Iwahori (Japan), Ryan Johnson (US), Kazu Kumagai (Japan), Lisa La Touche (Canada), Winston Morrison (Australia), Claudia Rahardjanoto (Germany/Indonesia), Rumba Tap (Cuba), Lynn Schwab (US), the Tap City Youth Ensemble (Africa/US), and Nicholas Young (US).

International tap dance has truly come full circle. Tap dance, which began in America in the 1800's on plantations, and on city streets, is now produced all over the globe. Tap dance festivals and tap dance studios have sprung up as far away as Beijing! Like its kissing cousin jazz, tap has become an international form of expression. It now returns to us subtly transformed by the many cultures that have adopted it as an art form. Tap Internationals present outstanding dancers representing Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Germany Indonesia, Japan, France and the USA.

TAP INTERNATIONALS will perform on Thursday, July 11 at 7:30pm at Symphony Space - PJ Sharp Theater, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY. Tickets: General $36 (Day of Show $40); Children 17 & under/Symphony Space Member/College Student/Senior: $20 (Day of Show $24). For more information, visit: http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/7937-tap-international-global-rhythms. Box Office: 212.864.5400; Hours: Tues - Sun from 1 - 6pm. (Box office windows remain open on the night of a show until one half hour after curtain)

Drawing participants from around the world, Tap City, July 6-13, will be presented by The American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF), featuring film presentations, awards, master classes and performance events by international artists. The week's happenings will culminate atnoon on Saturday, July 13, with 150 tap dancers hoofing it out in the heart of Manhattan at Father Duffy Square/Times Square in a free, public, outdoor celebration.

ADTF was founded in 1986 by tap master Charles "Honi" Coles, his protégée Brenda Bufalino, and the Foundation's current artistic and executive director, Tony Waag. Called the American Tap Dance Orchestra until 2001, the organization was directed and choreographed by Ms. Bufalino and presented hundreds of stage performances and films from 1986 through 1999. From 1989 to 1995, it also operatedWoodpeckers Tap Dance Center, where tappers from all over the world gathered for classes, workshops, jam session and performances. In 2002 with a new generation of tap dancers and enthusiasts, the Orchestra was renamed under the artistic direction and leadership of Tony Waag.

Pictured: Brenda Bufalino. Photo-Lois Greenfield; Kazu Kumagai. Photo-Leslie Kee; Lisa LaTouche. Photo courtesy ATDF.