PUTTING TAP DANCE RESEARCH IN THE SPOTLIGHT
TDRN UK provides a space for researchers, artists, academics, and practitioners to share knowledge, information, and research around Tap Dance.
Our steering team is made up of nine individuals that are performers, educators, artists, academics, writers, producers and often many of these at once.
We want to reflect a broad understanding of what research in Tap Dance is, and can be by engaging with the public, Academia, the Arts sector and cultural industries. We do this through holding our own events, presenting at conferences and festivals, publishing our own material and sharing information and resources through our website and social media.
The TDRNUK Research Festival is back for a 3rd year with online events and an in-person day in Manchester, UK on Saturday 22nd June 2024
Network Sessions hosted by the TDRN UK steering group. These informal but structured sessions that are FREE and open to all. Connect with other people that are interested, or involved in doing research around tap dance.
For the next few sessions we are getting in to all things tap dance and sound! Shoes, microphones, floors, live sound, recording… These sessions lead by Lee Payne and Annette Walker will share information about suppliers, contacts and resources, as well as opening up the chance to have group conversations and ask questions.
Our next Network Session – Saturday 4th May in Liverpool, UK
Read our blog entries for previous sessions so you can see what we have been discussing and get some helpful resources around particular topics.
April 2021: Tap Dance Folk Traditions
May 2021: Tap Dance and Vernacular Dance
June 2021: Tap Dance and Popular Culture
August 2021: Shoes and Taps
September 2021: Building Tap Floors
October 2022: Step Dance with Simon Ramsey Harmer (recording of presentation)
Our Online Talk Series creates a platform for researchers to share their work with a wider tap dance audience.
Next Online Talk Series event –
Duke Ellington’s Dancers – The Women
TUES 23 April 2024 18:00 – 19:30 BST | 10:00 PDT | 13:00 EDT | 19:00 CEST £6 / PWY
Join Allana Redecki as she shares her ongoing research into the careers of Duke Ellington and his collaborators. This session delves into the fascinating life stories of Aida Overton Walker, Elida Webb, Fredi & Isabel Washington and Marie Bryant.
Learn how their different careers evolved over time spanning performance, teaching, social activism and community building. We celebrate their triumphs, and learn more about the tribulations they faced in coping with colorism, sexism, racial and professional prejudice. These women and more will be the subject of this webinar, featuring photos, music and film clips to celebrate and appreciate the dancers who performed with Duke Ellington.