Research Festival 2022
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Tap dance workshops, panel discussions, research presentations, live music tap jam.
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Online and in-person!
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Tuesday 5th and Thursday 7th April online
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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.