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Miscellaneous Tap Musings: Tap Activism and Trivia |
ACTIVISM:
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Now that the arts in the US are poised for more budget cuts with possible elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) it seemed appropriate to have a small section devoted to support for related activism as well as links to information resources. Here's a list of some links to governmental resources and online grass roots activism.
WEB RESOURCES:
Here is a mailing address for the National Association of Artists OrganizationsThe group American Arts Alliance (202/737-1727) has an action sheet of steps to take in shaping and delivering your message to your legislator and community. This is a valuable resource for any arts group.
Date: 30-JUL-1993 08:42 Description: Macy's Tap-O-Mania on Aug 22nd in NYC "Last summer (1992) 6,008 children and adults from every walk of life tapped their way down 34th St. to keep their place in the Guinness Book of World Records. As part of Macy's Tap-O-Mania, they helped Macy's and America surpass their own world record for the Largest Assembly of Tap Dancers to dance in a single routine..." The above was taken from the entry form I received yesterday. The deadline for entering is today, July 30th, 1993. No fax number is given. The Tap-O-Mania hotline is (212) 290-5249 and New York radio station WPLJ will announce up-to-the-minute info on the event. I learned of this event last year when a small photo (of 6000 people in Mickey Mouse ears) and caption appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer after the event. A time isn't given. The 22nd is a Sunday. It will probably be AM. Tap captains will be teaching the routines over the next few weeks. I suppose the hotline has more info... Macy's Special Productions Dept. 19th Floor 151 West 34th St. New York, NY 10001 Note: I don't work for Macy's. I'm a tap fan and find this a hoot!
One fellow in Russia tap dances on his hands! His Web site has a video showing his technique (site is in Russian, but there is an "EN" button at top for English.) Occasionally, tap companies create tap events to promote their company and tap dance in general. Events have performers tap dance through the streets, across bridges, up the stairs of the Washington Monument, in outdoor shim-sham workshops as well as dropping in to dance with a club's jazz band. A number of these may coincide with the celebration of National Tap Dance Day in the US (and now celebrated world-wide.) A recent (May '97) article in the Smithsonian Magazine describes some of these events and the surge in interest in tap dance and in tap-based shows.
From: WELLS@cgi.com Description: Re: Where's the Dancing in Star Trek: TNG >From: cac2@bunny.gte.com (Crankin' Carl) >They have had some minor dance scenes. Dr. Crusher (played by >Gates McFadden; I love that name) has been portrayed as the >ship's dance expert as well as the theater director. She gave >Data dance lessons once... Dr. Crusher is a prize winning TAP DANCER. Data asks for dance lessons prior to a wedding unaware that the Dr.'s speciality might be inappropriate for the venue. Don
[Ed. Note: This is the episode where the main plot involves the Enterprise taking the female Vulcan ambassador to confer with the Romulans. Miles and Keiko also marry on this episode which creates Data's desire to learn to dance. This info will be handy skimming TV schedules or videocassette cases when available on video. A correspondent lists it as "Season 4, Episode 85 "Data's Day" of ST:TNG" PJC]
There is a nice homage to Fred Astaire in the film Tango Lesson (by Sally Potter.) The lead taps soft shoe in the kitchen with lettuce leaves and other kitchen implements to impress the film writer/director. A great scene...
I suppose most movie musicals require some suspension of disbelief. We are expected to accept some character breaking into song and dance to express his or her feelings. Tap dance is always ripe for parodies of this situation. Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein has the monster doing a soft shoe with his creator and Christopher Walken does an amazing strip routine while tapping in Pennies From Heaven to "Let's Misbehave." The film also starred Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters (also tapping in a big production number.)
The Tall Guy starring Jeff Goldblum and Emma Thompson (in her first screen role) has Jeff in the lead of a musical version of the "Elephant Man." Needless to say it includes a chorus line of tap dancing elephants.
Available on video and not to be missed...
CHALLENGING questions confront Nancy Drew when she attempts to solve the mystery of the strange tapping sounds in the house of the retired actress. Who is the tapper? How does he gain access to Miss Carter's house, despite securely locked doors and windows? Why do the tapping sounds come in Morse code? Is there a sinister motive behind the prowler's actions?While trying to learn the answers to these and other puzzling questions, Nancy finds her investigations complicated by the dishonest administrator of a will and by a thief who steals the actress's prize Persian cats.
Now Nancy communicates with the ghostlike intruder by tap dancing in code, how she outwits three criminals wanted by the police, and how she brings happiness to Miss Carter in a romantic reunion with the actress's former leading man will thrill the lively young detective's host of fans.
ED. NOTE: Very little tapping in the book, originally released in 1939 and re-released in 1969. If you're really interested,
Title: The Clue of the Tapping Heels (#16 in the series)
Author: Carolyn Keene
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap, 1969
ISBN# 0-448-09516-5 (Trade edition)
0-449-19516-X (Library edition)REFERENCE:
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