Philly Tap Challenge "ON FIRE!"

Philly TAP Challenge "ON FIRE!" officially announced!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jaye Allison, 215-490-3717
May 1, 2009 534 South 56th Street 1st floor
Philadelphia, PA 19143
newleja@yahoo.com

JA’s Philly TAP Challenge ‘09 ON FIRE! It’s Over the TOP!
Take ten! Only $10 for any class or ticket, no registration fees! VISIT:www.phillytapchallenge.webs.com

Some of the World’s Top Tap Dancers arrive in region to instruct, perform, meet and celebrate Philly. Friday-Saturday, June 26-27, all events held at the following locations:
Community Education Center (CEC), 3500 Lancaster Ave; Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center (GBDC), 3611 Lancaster Ave & The Arts Bank Theater (ABT), Broad & South Streets, along The Avenue of the Arts

Friday – Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center (GBDC) or Arts Bank Theater (ABT)
GBDC Studio A- AM: 10a Stretch Class (PCBC) - 10:30a Paddle n Roll (Jaye Allison) – 11:40a Choreography (Darrell Williams)
PM: 2:30p Student Class (Chloe Arnold) – 3:55p Student Class (Karen Callaway Williams)
GBDC Studio B- AM: 10:30a Hip Hop – 11:40a Lindy Hop PM: 2:25p African
ABT -7:30p Showtime Amateur / Professional Showcase*
Community Education Center (CEC) in the East Community Room (ECR) or Meetinghouse Theater (MT)
CEC –ECR AM: 10:40a Teachers Only (Dianne Walker) – 11:55 Student Class (Jason Samuels Smith)
MT – PM: 1:25p Tap History (Tony Nicholas) – 2:30 Films
ECR: 2:25p Student Class (Nicole Nicholas) 3:45p Teachers Only (Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards)

Saturday – Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center (GBDC) or Arts Bank Theater (ABT)
GBDC Studio A- AM: 10a Stretch Class (PCBC) 10:30a Student Class (Corinne Karon) – 11:40a Student Class (Tim Yue)
PM: 2:30p Student Class (Robert Burden) – 3:55p Student Class (Dianne Walker)
GBDC Studio B- AM: 10:30a Hip Hop – 11:40a Lindy Hop PM: 2:25p African
ABT -7:30p Showtime Amateur / Professional Showcase*
Community Education Center (CEC) East Community Room (ECR) or Meetinghouse Theater (MT)
CEC -ECR AM: 10:40a Teachers Only (Chloe Arnold) – 11:55 Student Class (Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards)
MT – 11a Tap Films... 1:30p Tap History (Dianne Walker) – 2:30 Films
ECR: 2:25p Student Class (Cathie Nicholas) 3:45p Teachers Only (Jason Samuels Smith)

*Both showcases featured house band is the first Lady of Jazz Guitar, Monnette Sudler and her Quartet.
Info and tickets available online at www.phillytapchallenge.webs.com

For the 6th year, Jaye Allison, Founding director of New LEJA Dances, organizes JAPTC with The Philadelphia Civic Ballet Company (the oldest dance company in the Commonwealth of PA.), to honor Philadelphia’s Tap history. Her vision links today’s generation to Philadelphia streets from the 1930s- 80s, inspiring the future. Open workshops and performances with various styles of Classical and Hoofing Tap Dance, African, Hip-Hop and Lindy Hop styles include: Jason Samuels Smith, Dianne ‘Lady Di’ Walker, Nicholas Sisters, 2nd Generation Silver Belles, Chloe Arnold, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Karen Callaway Williams. Showcase appearances include Philadelphia hoofing professionals, Robert Burden Jr., Rochelle Haynes, Corinne Karon, JoAnna Turner, Darrell Williams, Tim Yue and more along with many students represent the Philadelphia Region over this 2 day blowout of TAP TOWN Philadelphia.

JAPTC is devoted to recognizing the treasure chest Philadelphia holds for Tap and making Tap Dance synonymous with Philadelphia. There are 4 components: Workshops with Master teachers and professionals, Philly TAP Idol Competition (age appropriate), 2 nights of Performance Showcases (Friday, Amateurs and Professionals – Saturday, Professional), the Virtual Quilt Project Premiere.
Philadelphia Inquirer: “TAP TOWN” City Paper “LEJA celebrates and affirms the nurturing power of African American culture.” DANCE Magazine “LEJA’s dancing reinvigorates the standard African American concert dance vocabulary.”
American TAP History - Yesterday, Today and Forever – in Philadelphia! Workshops, Performances, Showcase, “Tap Challenge Dance-Off,” Semi-Formal Reception Ball, Films and Documentary, Live Jazz, and more!!!
The Philly Tap Challenge presented by New LEJA Dances, the co & Philadelphia Civic Ballet Co. and made possible through a PA state DCED grant, Senator Mike Stack, and The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through Dance Advance.