Chicago Tap Summit: M.A.D.D. Rhythms 25th Anniversary
Description
The Chicago Tap Summit — the premier Illinois tap dancing event of the year, presented by M.A.D.D. Rhythms — returns for a landmark edition celebrating M.A.D.D. Rhythms' 25th Anniversary. For three unforgettable days, immerse yourself in the rhythm, artistry, and soul of tap through electrifying classes, thought-provoking discussions, and a joyful celebration of the tap community.
This year's Summit features two world-premiere performances: "Oscar Plays Gershwin", curated by M.A.D.D. Rhythms Co-founder and NEA Fellow Bril Barrett, and "My Personal Stash" by master choreographer and M.A.D.D. Rhythms Co-founder Tre Dumas. Plus, experience a screening of "Beyond a Shuffle", a documentary exploring the profound impact Bril Barrett has had on the youth of Chicago.
Whether you've been dancing for decades or are stepping into your first class, this is where the heartbeat of Chicago tap comes alive. Don't just watch the magic — be part of it.
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Community Events
- 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Chicago Tap And Jazz Bus Tour
Load In 3:30 pm Take of 4:00 pm $25 Explore Chicago's historic Bronzeville neighborhood, once known as the "Black Metropolis," the cultural and economic heart of Black Chicago during the early 20th century. Discover the places where jazz legends and tap dance pioneers lived, worked, and performed, and learn how Bronzeville became a nationally recognized center of music, entertainment, business, and innovation. From the legacy of the Great Migration to the vibrant nightlife of the historic Stroll, experience the rich history that shaped generations of artists and left an enduring mark on American culture.
- 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Welcome Party
FREE Kick off the 9th Annual Chicago Tap Summit and the 25th Anniversary of M.A.D.D. Rhythms with an unforgettable evening of food, music, rhythm, and community. Join fellow artists, dancers, and friends as we gather to celebrate the legacy of tap, share stories, make connections, and set the stage for an inspiring weekend of movement and creativity. Come ready to eat, jam, and celebrate 25 years of M.A.D.D. Rhythms and the vibrant spirit of Chicago’s tap dance community!
- 12:45 pm - 2:00 pm
Faculty Panel Discussion
FREE for Registered Students | $15 Join our esteemed faculty for an inspiring conversation as they share favorite moments from M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ rich history, reflect on the journey that brought us here, and explore what it takes to create meaningful new work and sustain a lifelong career in the arts.
- 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Double Bill: My Personal Stash And Oscar Plays Gershwin
Doors 7:00 pm Show 7:30 pm $50 The performances include two world premieres from the two founders of M.A.D.D. Rhythms. Bril Barrett’s “Oscar Plays Gershwin,” a vibrant tap production using dancers' feet as percussion to reimagine Oscar Peterson's George Gershwin album and Tre Dumas’s “My Personal Stash,” a work that honors his father, Martin Dumas Jr., by transforming Rasputin Stash's soul/funk grooves into a vibrant tap percussive experience.
- 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Beyond A Shuffle: A M.A.D.D. Rhythms Documentary
Doors 3:30 pm Documentary 4:00 pm $35 “Beyond A Shuffle” is about Bril Barrett, who started M.A.D.D. (Making A Difference Dancing) Rhythms as a way to lead a life of example for his younger siblings, as well as give back to the youth of Chicago. Barrett wanted to create a company whose model was one of respect for the art and history of tap dance and whose permanence would create stability for its members. More than two decades later, M.A.D.D. Rhythms has since touched the lives of thousands of dancers and young people, whether they were pursuing the incredible training of being a company member, needed a positive alternative to the streets of Chicago or just as an outlet to express themselves or improve their quality of life.
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