Charles “Honi” Coles was an American rhythm tap dancer known for his speed and sophisticated style. He was a founding member of the Copasetics, as well as one-half of the popular vaudeville duo “Coles & Atkins,” whose song-and-dance routines epitomized the vaudeville class act—routines that countered blackface stereotypes. Coles’ later collaborative work with tap dancer […]
Tomorrow night at 7 pm, the American Tap Dance Foundation will host a special performance at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room in honor of legendary jazz pianist and composer Duke Ellington. The program, aptly titled “Tap Ellington,” will feature the Duke Ellington Center’s Big Band and tap stars like Tony Waag, Brenda Bufalino, Sam […]
When American Tap Dance Foundation artistic director Tony Waag was in college, he attended a tap workshop conducted by Brenda Bufalino. The two hit it off, and Bufalino became his mentor. From the get-go, Bufalino was supportive of Waag’s stylistic choices. “She always encouraged me to have my own voice. I came out of a […]
Tony Waag’s annual Tap City dance festival in New York City has a new program this year—Tap Treasures: a Tap Dance Storytelling Tour. Participants learn about the history and evolution of tap dance through a three-day tour of Manhattan locations where the best and brightest stars made their marks. Locations include the Apollo Theater in […]
Harold (above) and Fayard in Stormy Weather (1943) In our May issue’s History: Lesson Plan, we learn about Fayard and Harold Nicholas, aka the Nicholas Brothers, the tap dancing duo from Philly known for their one-of-a-kind “flash act” performances that combined fearless stunts, technical proficiency and brilliant showmanship. Watch the Nicholas Brothers in “I’ve Got […]
Congratulations to Jennifer DiDonato, Editors’ Choice for the Dance Teacher Video of the Month! While on faculty at the New York Film Academy in New York City, DiDonato choreographed and directed this tap dance video, Babble by Bombershay, in the style of a black-and-white silent movie. Advanced tappers from the school’s musical theater certificate program […]
Brenda Bufalino’s adult tap class at ATDF Instead of hibernating during these dark winter months, teachers and students can brush up on dance history at Tap Talks, the latest program from the American Tap Dance Foundation. Founded in 1986 by Charles “Honi” Coles, Brenda Bufalino and Tony Waag, ATDF is all about establishing tap’s place […]
In 2012, “Tap it Out” was held at the World Financial Center. There aren’t many opportunities to see 300 feet tapping in sync—unless you own Happy Feet on DVD. But this weekend, “Tap it Out” will give New Yorkers a show to remember. The performance will conclude the American Tap Dance Foundation’s week-long Tap City […]
Want to see what it’s like to climb the ranks of major NYC dance companies? “Dance212” is bringing viewers the inside scoop with an encore presentation of its Second Companies season. Follow five young dancers as they train and perform with their dream companies: ABT II, Ailey II, Graham II, Taylor 2 and the American […]