Lois' Tap Lane: All-Star Tap and Jazz Salute

Friday, May 13
The Regent Theatre

Tix: $28/$24 (students, seniors, groups) Phone: 781-646-4849 www.regenttheatre.com  

• Saturday Workshop Information
• Saturday Flash Mob Information
• Sunday's "Tappin in the Center"
• Read the Bio's of this years artists
• Reduced rate hotel information

This year the Boston-area celebration of International Tap Dance Day recognizes an adult tap student, Lois O'Hara, who for 20 years has been a hilarious and spirited member of the New England tap community.  Last spring when Lois was given a lousy medical diagnosis of irreversible lung disease, the tap community began looking for ways to help.

Dancers and musicians from New England, New York, and Europe have volunteered to perform in this one-night only spectacular, not a fundraiser or a benefit but a gift concert conceived by local dancer Josh Hilberman to acknowledge Lois' tremendous and energetic 20-year participation in classes, workshops, festivals, jams, and performances.

Lois' dream line-up illustrates how many people and communities one dancer may touch:

Brenda Bufalino, one of the true pioneers of modern tap, and producer Tony Waag ('the pied piper of tap dance," NYT) represent New York, along with two former Bostonians, acclaimed film choreographer Kelly Kaleta and up-and-coming Ryan Casey.

International tap icons Tap and Tray--the german duo of Kurt Albert and Klaus Bleis--heard about the concert and volunteered to come from Germany. 

Lois' first came onto the tap scene at Ryles Jazz Club, watching the collective Stoptime-- Hilberman, long-time expert Julia Boynton, Maine's Drika Overton, and New Hampshire's Gay Nardone--who will all be performing.

Sean Fielder, a Bostonian who made his fame in Broadway's "Noise/Funk," and a favorite of Lois, brings his amazing solo artistry to the show.   "Lady Di" Dianne Walker may cut short a Japanese tour to make the event.

Bamidele Dancers and Drummers, from Western Massachusetts and Guinea, Africa, come to honor Lois from their days together at the Portsmouth Percussive Dance Festival.

On an average Monday night you will find Lois hard at work at the Dance Inn, in class with co-producer and favorite teacher Thelma Goldberg, working with the About Time Tappers and the Legacy Dancers.  Both 'home' groups will be represented in the concert.

Lois' selection of musicians includes two wonderful pianists, tap icon Paul Arslanian and local jazz master Yoko Miwa; Berklee's Herman Hampton on bass; Scott Goulding on drums; and tap favorite Jorge Perez-Albela on percussion.  Local blues vocalist Little Rose rounds out the accompaniment.

Lois was recognized by New York's Tap City with a first-time award in the summer of 2010, acknowledging she and her tap buddy Avis as fervent supporters.  Now Boston gets a chance to celebrate her as well, with a collection of dynamic, contemporary, talented artists who will surely produce a night to remember.

Flash Mob

Saturday, May 14th - Lexington Center

Thelma Goldberg invites tap dancers of all ages and ability levels to perform the Shim-Sham Shimmy in Lexington Center as part of the Revelry in Lexington month-long celebration and in partnership with Dance Inn Production's annual International Tap Dance Day celebration. The Shim-Sham Shimmy has a rich history in American Tap Dance and has evolved into the "international anthem" of the world's tap community, bringing dancers together in a joyous rhythmic celebration. Join Thelma as she is accompanied by the William F. Diamond Fife and Drum Corps in a truly unique percussive and musical event that will brighten your day and have you shuffling through Lexington Center. Youtube has many variations of the shim-sham if you want to join in but you are unsure of the choreography. All are welcome to participate as we dance with the "pied-pipers" through Lexington center. For more info, contact Thelma at tgoldberg@thedanceinn.com.

Special Event!

Saturday, May 14 at The Regent
2:00-3:15 - Come to the Book Signing and Poetry Reading with Brenda Bufalino from her new book “Circular Migrations"

Workshops

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Regent Studios – 7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA 02474
The Dance Inn - 1403 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington MA 02420

One class: $20.00, Two classes: $35.00
Minimum class size: 8 dancers.

Click here to download the Registration Form

The Dance Inn
1403 Mass. Ave.
Lexington, MA 02420

Fax: 781-861-2981

Workshop Schedule

Tappin' in the Center

Sunday, May 15; 12:00 - 1:00
The Visitor's Center, Lexington Center

A free outdoor tap show on the Visitor’s Center lawn will conclude the festivities that started on Friday night with the gala concert at the Regent Theatre.   Our celebration of International Tap Dance Day continues with International tap icons Tap and Tray--the german duo of Kurt Albert and Klaus Bleis, some of NYC’s hottest young performers, Lexington’s own local tap star Ryan Casey, the About Time Tappers, the Legacy Dance Company, tappers from the Dance Technique Program and other local artists.  Come by with a blanket or chairs and a picnic lunch and enjoy the percussive energy that will have you dancing on the lawn of the visitor’s center.  Participate in this unique Revelry in Lexington event and discover the amazing talent and events that our town has to offer.  For more information contact Thelma Goldberg at The Dance Inn, 781-863-5360.

Hotel Information

Reduced price hotel rooms for out-of-towners:
Aloft Hotel in Lexington
"Regent Group May 2011"
727 Marrett Road
Lexington, MA 02421
(781) 761-1700
$99/two double beds