TDRN UK Online Talk Series: Sportin’ Life: John W. Bubbles, An American Classic with Brian Harker and Jane Goldberg

TDRN UK Online Talk Series: Sportin’ Life: John W. Bubbles, An American Classic with Brian Harker and Jane Goldberg

Wednesday 16th November 2022 19:00 GMT | 11:00 PDT | 14:00 EST/EDT | 20:00 CEST £6

Book here

In this session we hear from Brian Harker, author of ‘Sportin’ Life: John W. Bubbles, An American Classic’ about his research into the life and legacy of tap dance master John W. Bubbles. 

Brian Harker will introduce Bubbles as a pioneering tap dancer and major figure in the American performing arts and discuss his experience of writing Bubbles’s first biography. In the course of his remarks he will show photos and videos of Bubbles in various performing contexts.

Jane Goldberg, who knew Bubbles towards the end of his life, will join the conversation to share stories of her time spent with this extraordinary, talented and hugely influential man.

 

Synopsis of ‘Sportin’ Life: John W. Bubbles, An American Classic’ by Brian Harker

John W. Bubbles was the ultimate song-and-dance man. A groundbreaking tap dancer, he provided inspiration to Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, and the Nicholas Brothers. His vaudeville team Buck and Bubbles captivated theater audiences for more than thirty years. Most memorably, in the role of Sportin’ Life he stole the show in the original production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, in the process crafting a devilish alter ego that would follow him through life. Coming of age with the great jazz musicians, he shared countless stages with the likes of Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Ella Fitzgerald. Some of his disciples believed his rhythmic ideas had a formative impact on jazz itself. In later years he made a comeback as a TV personality, revving up the talk shows of Steve Allen and Johnny Carson and playing comic foil to Bob Hope, Judy Garland, and Lucille Ball. Finally, after a massive stroke ended his dancing career, he made a second comeback―complete with acclaimed performances from his wheelchair―as a living legend inspiring a new generation of entertainers. His biggest obstacle was the same one blocking the path of every other Black performer of his time: unrelenting, institutionalized racism. Yet Bubbles was an entertainer of the old school, fierce and indestructible. In this compelling and deeply researched biography, his dramatic story is told for the first time.

About Brian Harker

Brian Harker is Professor of Music at Brigham Young University. Two-time winner of the Irving Lowens Award for best article on American music, he is the author of Sportin’ Life: John W. Bubbles, An American Classic; Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings; and Jazz: An American Journey. He lives with his wife in Orem, Utah.

Jane Goldberg is a comedian, writer, tap dancer and key architect of the tap renaissance of the 1970s. She is the founder of the Changing Times Tap Dance Company and the author of the book “Shoot Me While I’m Happy,” with foreword by the late Gregory Hines. Her extensive tap archives now reside at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and are open to the public. Her main act is Rhythm & Schmooze, and she has a Traveling Tap Museum.

 

Network Session September 2022: Tap Dance Notations – Teaching through different learning modes

Network Session September 2022: Tap Dance Notations – Teaching through different learning modes

Wednesday 21st September 2022 19:00 GMT | 11:00 PDT | 14:00 EST/EDT | 20:00 CEST FREE

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Susan Filipiak will lead discussion around tap dance notation methods, uses and opportunities before we open the floor for group discussion.

Tap dancers all have their most favorite, comfortable learning strategy – be it visual, aural, spatial, verbal, musical, kinesthetic.  To reach all their students, and especially beginners of all ages, tap teachers need to utilize all learning modes.  

Susan Filipiak will lead discussion in using the spoken and written mode.  Looking at tap dance notation systems (Stanley Kahn, Joan Hill, and her own “Tap Alphabet” she designed for children), Susan will show the strengths of including a linguistic approach to teaching tap dance.

Susan Filipiak, Dexter, Michigan, US, recently retired after 40 years of teaching dance.   She was happy to learn from the master/mentors and was proud to carry forth their history, choreography, and lessons.  Susan spent equal time teaching in her studio, in higher education, and in regular K-12 classrooms (bringing dance into the classroom).

As well as sharing ideas, techniques and resources, we will open the floor for you to have group conversations, ask questions and share your own approaches.

Research Festival 2022

Research Festival 2022

 

  • Tap dance workshops, panel discussions, research presentations, live music tap jam.
  • Online and in-person!
  • Tuesday 5th and Thursday 7th April online
  • Sunday 10th April in person @ De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
Book here

Tap Dance Research Network UK present a programme of events that brings together tap dance performers, artists, scholars and researchers throughout the UK and North America.

Whether you tap dance or not, or are simply tap-curious, TDRN UK welcomes everyone to join us as we delve into the richness and diversity of research and creative practices in tap dance today.

The Research Festival celebrates the practical research of these diverse individuals by sharing embodied knowledges through practical workshops, presentations, and group discussions. We are also hosting a live music tap jam closing party. We welcome dance scholar Thomas DeFrantz, world renowned Canadian tap artists Travis Knights and Lisa La Touche, and connect with some of the UK’s leading tap and percussive dance artists and growing research community.

If you are looking to hit the boards with your shoes, there are practical sessions suited to all levels of experience and you can take part in the closing party tap jam where tap dancers jam with live music.

Tuesday 5th April – Online | 18:30 – 20:45 BST | 13:30 EDT | 10:30 PDT

‘Imagining The Perfect Ecosystem For Tap Dance’ A Discussion with Travis Knights and Lisa LaTouche

In this virtual discussion, LaTouche and Knights will dive into their personal experiences as well as researched historical events to analyze and determine the keys to environments that make tap dance thrive.

Thursday 7th April – Online | 12:00 – 13:00 BST | 07:00 EDT

‘Foot Percussion Discussion’ with Hannah James, Simeon Weedall, Rosamaria E. Kostic Cisneros

This online panel will discuss the individual practices of dancers from tap, clog, and flamenco dance. These practitioners will discuss approaches to working with rhythm, live music, and evolving performance practices.

Thursday 7th April – Online | 19:00 – 20:30 BST | 14:00 EDT | 11:00 PDT

Thomas DeFrantz ‘The history of the relationship between rhythm tap dance and the concert stage – an introduction’

Renowned dance scholar Thomas DeFrantz shares his research and thoughts around tap dance and the concert stage with a focus upon historical context. Followed by an open discussion.

Sun 10th April

11:00 – 18:00 – In-person event @ De Montfort University, Leicester, UK

19:30 – 21:30 Tap Jam Closing Party, Leicester, UK

  • Tap dance artists and researchers share insights from their practice and artistic research.
  • Tap dance workshops for all levels.
  • Film screening and talk about Jack Evan’s film Date Leap with Lee Payne.
  • Panel discussion: ‘Learning and growing through tap dance’ with Lexi Bradburn (Sole Rebel Tap), Harriet Spence (Theatre Tap London) and Lee Payne (Bruckfeet Productions). Chaired by dance educators and researchers from TDRN UK, Dr Trish Melton and Dr. Karen Wood. The panel will discuss their current approaches to tap dance teaching – including strategies, class content and embedding tap dance history and culture.
  • Routes into research – a practical introduction to developing your own research project idea. Ask questions, make connections and learn about opportunities and how to access them.
  • Open space discussions – Tap Dance Futures.
  • Closing party live music tap jam with Tap Rhythm Project hosted by Ademola Junior Laniyan.

Tickets

* Online day ticket (for Tues the 5th or Thurs 7th April) £10/ £8.50 concessions (includes access to a recording)

* In-person day ticket for Sun 10th April £60/ £50 concessions

* Whole festival ticket for all online events and in-person day £70/ £60 concessions (includes access to a recording of online events)

* Pay what you can option for all events – please contact info@tapproject.com for details

As a non-profit organisation, TDRN UK are not able to absorb booking costs into ticket prices which will be additional to those listed above.

Delivered in partnership with C-DaRE Centre for Dance Research at Coventry University and CIRID Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Dance at De Montfort University.

       

How to get here / places to stay:

https://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/how-to-find-us/how-to-find-us.aspx

Places to eat:

https://www.dmu.ac.uk/dmu-students/your-dmu-experience/where-to-eat-and-drink/where-to-eat-and-drink.aspx

Map:

https://www.dmu.ac.uk/documents/study-documents/undergraduate-study-documents/visit-us/pedestrian-map.pdf

Getting here:

By Train

High-speed train links connect Leicester to London and many other large towns and cities, while bus and coach services provide great value and reliable connections across Leicester and to most parts of the UK. Park-and-ride services are also provided in the city.

By Car

M1 and A1: The campus is within easy access for travel from the north and south. M69 and M6: Close by for those travelling from Birmingham, Wales and the South West. Please use the postcode LE2 7DP to be directed to our main car park. Disabled parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Whitman Women: HERstories

Whitman Women: HERstories

Thursday 2 December 2021 19:00 GMT | 11:00 PST | 14:00 EST | 20:00 CET £6/£4

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Who were the Whitman Sisters? Join us to learn how the Whitman Sisters were trailblazers, performers, producers, and businesswomen as they brought innovative tap dance to Black Vaudeville. Dr. Karen Campbell Kuebler presents her findings from the media of the time, sharing the fascinating life stories that highlight the links between then and now. As an experienced educator, Karen offers ideas and resources to broaden your approach to teaching tap dance history considering issues such as race and gender in performance.

Karen Campbell Kuebler is always moving and learning. As an undergraduate dance major in the 1980s, Kuebler realized her knowledge in dance history was severely lacking. This initiated a career-long research initiative to explore, connect, and apply dance history in her teaching and learning process. Kuebler began teaching Dance and French in Baltimore County in 1991. Since 2009, Kuebler has taught Dance History courses at Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland and presented her research at conferences near and far since the 1990s. Kuebler shares her passion for dance history with her elementary students, colleagues, university students, family, and friends. She is excited to share the HERstory of the Whitman Women in her first textbook and looks forward to more revelations in dance history research.

Network Session February 2022: Teaching Tap – Improvisation

Network Session February 2022: Teaching Tap – Improvisation

Tuesday 22 February 19:30 GMT | 11:30 PDT | 14:30 EST/EDT | 20:30 CEST FREE

Book here

The next few sessions will focus on key areas of tap dance teaching and education. In each session, Trish Melton and other members of the group, will share their thoughts and experiences from their own teaching practice and research in tap dance pedagogy.

Improvisation is a core skill of a tap dancer and this discussion will highlight teaching strategies in use in various practices which are aimed at developing improvisational skills through listening to the music through our ears and our feet. 

Trish Melton will share games and activities drawn from practices used back in vaudeville but updated for todays studio: trading and “stealing” steps, for example. Jess Murray will share her approach to delivering tap classes and training programs that centre improvisation to develop technique, musicality and creative devising strategies.

As well as sharing ideas, techniques and resources, we will open the floor for you to have group conversations, ask questions and share your own approaches.

 

Network Session January 2022: Teaching Tap – Repertoire

Network Session January 2022: Teaching Tap – Repertoire

TDRN UK Network Session: Teaching Tap – Repertoire

Tuesday 18 January 2022 19:30 GMT | 11:30 PDT | 14:30 EST/EDT | 20:30 CEST FREE

Book here

The next few sessions will focus on key areas of tap dance teaching and education. In each session, Trish Melton and other members of the group, will share their thoughts and experiences from their own teaching practice and research in tap dance pedagogy.

We are fortunate that today we still have access to Tap Dance Masters who have a link to the originators of iconic, authentic tap dance repertory.  In this discussion Dr Trish Melton will share ways to incorporate repertory in our tap dance classes to develop our knowledge of tap dance origins, our understanding of jazz music and the structure of historical repertory routines.  She will discuss the importance of acknowledging our teachers and the provenance of the repertory.

As well as sharing ideas, techniques and resources, we will open the floor for you to have group conversations, ask questions and share your own “research-in-progress” to gain feedback in developing your own approaches. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the future development of tap dance teaching.