First DC tap festival starts today

Maud Arnold (left)  Chloé Arnold (above)

Multi-talented tap dancers and sisters, Chloé and Maud Arnold, have organized the first District of Columbia tap dance festival, DC Tap Fest, which will be held at DC Dance Collective, 4908 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. starting 2:00 today, Friday, April, 17th and ending Sunday, April 19th. The three-day extravaganza will feature 30 classes taught by 17 instructors. The classes run about an hour and 15 minutes. Friday’s classes start at 4:15, and Saturday and Sundays start at 9:30. The classes are offered to beginning level students, intermediate and advanced. Two introductory classes will be available each day for first-time dancers.

 Each night of the event will also feature special performances. Friday will offer a Jam Session at DC Dance Collective starting at 8:30 P.M. hosted by R&B singer, Mya.

Saturday, April 18th, 8:00 P.M. the all-star faculty and DC tap companies will honor Dianne Walker and Dr. Harold “Stumpy” Cromer at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, 3500 R St., N.W. The tickets are $20.00-$30.00. Dianne Walker or Lady Di is a world famous, multi-award winning tap dancer. She was taught by Jimmy “Sir Slyde” Mitchell, Mildred Kennedy-Bradic and Leon Collins. She has performed on Broadway and appeared at the Rainbow Room with Ruth Brown, her most memorable performance. She has a master degree in education and has taught at Harvard, UCLA and Wesleyan and other higher learning institutions. Dr. Cromer formed a comedic dance duo with James Cross known as Stump and Stumpy. The dance duo had a prolific career, performing with Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas, recording songs, appearing in movies, radio and television, and influencing comedians Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin and Mel Brooks. Both Walker and Cromer will be teaching tap and tap history classes at the festival.

Sunday, April 19th at 6:00 P.M. at DC Dance Collective student tappers will showcase their talent, and a cutting contest (tap dance battle) will be held. The seating for Friday and Sunday shows are very limited. It is recommended that tickets be purchased in advance, since the jam session and student showcase are almost sold-out.

The Arnold sisters wanted to “inspire” the next generation. Both have been tapping for nearly 20 years, and have impressive careers in their own right.   Chloé Arnold says, “My sister and I grew up dancing. It’s our responsibility to make sure the young people here get the same opportunity that we had.”  This tap festival is a great start.