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๐ National Tap Dance Day – 25th May (US)
Every year on 25th May, the United States celebrates National Tap Dance Day — a day dedicated to the uniquely American art form of tap dancing. Signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1989, the holiday honors the birthday of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (born May 25, 1878), one of the greatest tap dancers in history.
Tap dance combines African rhythms, Irish step dancing, and English clog dancing, creating a percussive art form where dancers' shoes become musical instruments. National Tap Dance Day encourages people to learn about tap history, attend performances, take a class, or simply enjoy the joy of rhythmic dancing feet.
๐ What Is Tap Dance?
A percussive dance form
- ๐ฉฐ Shoes — Leather shoes with metal taps on the toe and heel, creating distinct sounds.
- ๐ต Rhythm — Dancers create complex rhythms with their feet, often accompanied by music or a cappella.
- ๐บ Styles — Broadway tap (more theatrical), rhythm tap (focus on musicality, less arm movement), classical tap.
- ๐ถ Improvisation — Many tap dancers improvise, creating spontaneous rhythmic conversations.
๐ Bill "Bojangles" Robinson: The Legend
The man who inspired National Tap Dance Day
- ๐ Born — May 25, 1878, Richmond, Virginia.
- ๐ญ Stage name — "Bojangles" (origin unknown; he may have borrowed it from a friend).
- ๐บ Innovation — Robinson revolutionized tap by dancing on his toes (upright style) instead of the flat-footed style common at the time.
- ๐ฌ Film career — Appeared in 14 films, most famously with Shirley Temple (e.g., The Little Colonel, 1935). Their staircase duet is iconic.
- ๐ Breaking barriers — Robinson was one of the first African American entertainers to perform solo on Broadway and break color barriers in Hollywood.
- ๐ Famous move — The "stair dance," his signature routine.
- ๐ Legacy — Robinson's birthday was officially recognized as National Tap Dance Day in 1989.
๐ A Brief History of Tap Dance
- ๐ Roots — Tap emerged in the 19th century from the fusion of African rhythmic dance (gioube, patting juba) and Irish/English step dancing.
- ๐บ๐ธ Minstrel shows — Tap was performed in blackface minstrel shows (problematic origins), but evolved away from that context.
- ๐ญ Vaudeville — Tap became a staple of vaudeville theaters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- ๐ฌ Hollywood golden age (1930s–1940s) — Tap stars like Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly, Bill Robinson, Eleanor Powell, and the Nicholas Brothers graced movie musicals.
- ๐ Decline (1950s–1970s) — Movie musicals faded; tap was seen as old-fashioned.
- ๐ Revival (1980s–present) — Shows like 42nd Street (1980), Tap (1989 film), Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk (1996), and Happy Feet (2006) revived interest.
๐บ Tap Dance Legends
- ๐ Bill "Bojangles" Robinson — The master of upright tap and the "stair dance."
- ✨ Fred Astaire — Elegant, innovative, and famous for dancing with shadows, drums, and even the ceiling.
- ❤️ Ginger Rogers — Astaire's partner; she did everything he did, backwards and in heels.
- ⚡ Gene Kelly — Athletic, casual style; used props like umbrellas, lampposts, and rain puddles (Singin' in the Rain).
- ๐ฉ The Nicholas Brothers — Fayard and Harold — known for dazzling acrobatics and splits down staircases (Stormy Weather, 1943).
- ๐ Eleanor Powell — Fast, precise, powerful tapping; one of the few female tap stars of Hollywood's golden age.
- ๐ฅ Gregory Hines — Led the tap revival in the 1980s and 1990s; starred in Tap (1989) and White Nights (1985).
- ✨ Savion Glover — Known for "rhythm tap" (heavy on percussion, minimal arm movement); created Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk (1996).
- ๐ Debbie Allen — Dancer, choreographer, actress; continued legacy on TV and stage.
๐ฌ Iconic Tap Movie Moments
- ๐ง️ Singin' in the Rain (1952) — Gene Kelly dancing in the rain (the title number).
- ๐ช The Little Colonel (1935) — Bill Robinson and Shirley Temple tap on stairs.
- ๐ฉ Stormy Weather (1943) — The Nicholas Brothers' spectacular staircase routine.
- ๐ญ Tap (1989) — Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, and legends like Sammy Davis Jr. and Sandman Sims.
- ๐ง Happy Feet (2006) — Animated tap‑dancing penguin — introduced tap to a new generation.
๐ Tap Shoes and Technique
Tap dancers create sound using metal taps:
- ๐ Tap design — Two plates per shoe (toe and heel), attached with screws. Different materials (steel, aluminum, or composite) produce different sounds.
- ๐ ️ Adjustable taps — Some modern taps allow screw adjustments to change sound.
- ๐ฆถ Basic steps — Shuffle, flap, ball change, brush, scuff, cramp roll, buffalo, time step, paddle and roll.
- ๐ต Call and response — Dancers may exchange rhythmic phrases like jazz musicians.
๐ How to Celebrate National Tap Dance Day
- ๐ Watch a tap dance video — YouTube is full of performances: Bill Robinson, Fred Astaire, Gregory Hines, Savion Glover.
- ๐ฌ Watch Singin' in the Rain or Tap — Classic tap movies.
- ๐ Take a tap dance class — Many studios offer one‑day introductory classes for adults or children.
- ๐ Try tapping at home — If you have a wooden floor, improvise. (Soft floor recommended; avoid concrete.)
- ๐ Learn about tap history — Read about Bill Robinson, the Nicholas Brothers, and the African roots of tap.
- ๐ข Share a tap video — Post with #NationalTapDanceDay #TapDance #Bojangles
- ๐️ Attend a live performance — Check local dance studios, theaters, or schools for May 25 events.
๐จ Art & Tap Dance
Tap has inspired visual artists: paintings of dancers in motion (Edward Hopper's Two on the Aisle), photography of performance moments, and sculptures of tap shoes. The rhythm and energy of tap make it a dynamic subject.
๐ Tap Around the World
- ๐บ๐ธ United States — Birthplace of tap; major festivals include "Tap City" (New York) and "LA Tap Fest."
- ๐ฌ๐ง United Kingdom — Strong tap tradition; the "Tap Attack" company; London's Pineapple Studios.
- ๐ฆ๐บ Australia — Growing tap community; annual "Australian Tap Festival."
- ๐ฏ๐ต Japan — Enthusiastic tap scene; Shohei Kikuchi and other world‑class tappers.
- ๐ซ๐ท France — Paris tap festivals and international competitions.
๐งญ A Message of Rhythm
On this 25th May, listen to the rhythm of tapping feet — not just on stage, but in your own heart. Tap dance reminds us that music lives in our bodies. We don't need instruments to create art; we just need our shoes, a floor, and a sense of rhythm. Bill Robinson once said, "I don't dance with my feet — I dance with my heart." So today, tap your foot. Clap your hands. Find your beat. And celebrate the joy of making music with every step.
๐ Every step is a note. Every dancer is a musician. ๐
๐ฟ Read more ๐ CRA Arts Blog
๐จ Shutterstock: craarts
▶️ YouTube: CRA Arts Channel
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