St. Louis 16th Tap Festival Continues to Inspire Tap Dancers
The St. Louis Tap Festival honored Dr. Marion Coles in a week-long celebration of tap dancing in St. Louis July 23-29. Coles, who is now 92 years old, began her career as a lindy hopper with the team of Taylor-Edwards. When her partner decided to retire from show business, Coles became a chorus girl, dancing at the Apollo, and on many circuits and numerous theatres all over the country.
She married entertainer Honi Coles, who was well-know for his tap dancing and received the National Medal of Art, but is better known to the younger generations as the band leader in "Dirty Dancing."
At this year's Festival, Coles taught a chorus girl routine that was one of the most popular dances ever taught at a festival. The big band music, the steps, and the moves inspired the entire class. They loved the dance! This routine will travel to many cities from those who learned it and who intend to pass it on. Karen Callaway Williams, who also taught classes of her own, assisted Coles. "It was one of the most wonderful times in my life and it lasted an entire week," Coles proclaimed.
Dr. Prince Spencer taught classes in slide technique. Spencer danced with the Four Step Brothers all over the world, and was usually the last to dance where he performed his many famous slides, jumps and flips. The Step Brothers created the "Challenge Dance" that is used at nearly all tap gatherings. The group claps as each dancer performs individually doing their best steps...definitely a challenge. The audience loves it and improvisation flourishes.
Another senior hoofer who returned this year was Dr. Jimmy Slyde, who served as Master of Ceremonies for the performance and a popular choice with students and audiences. Dr. Slyde, nominated for a Tony for his performance in the New York and Paris productions of "Black and Blue," has danced all over the world. He has been a supporter of the St. Louis Festival for many years and never misses.
Harold Cromer was a member of the vaudeville team of Stump and Stumpy. Cromer danced on Broadway with Ethel Merman, Betty Grable and Bert Lahr in "DuBarry Was a Lady." In the theatre performance at the Festival, Cromer, at 93 years old, danced the story of his life from a shoe-shine boy to a Broadway artist. He concluded with "Bojangles," singing and playing the harmonica. The audience jumped to their feet applauding him. Talented Sarah Reich assisted him in the performance and in class.
Festival founder and executive artistic director Robert L. Reed's classes were packed. He has several hoofers' groups in different cities and they all came together in St. Louis. Reed designed a sixteen faculty member teaching staff that passed on its unique knowledge to the tap dancers who were eager and anxious to have the information.
Bril Barrett of MADD Rhythms in Chicago always delivers great classes with music that is appealing to all generations. Barrett grew up attending the St. Louis Tap Festival and he is now an important part of the events. He brings a group from MADD Rhythms and believes it is a great place for dancers to have continuing education.
Students had the opportunity to learn unusual hat skills from Rod Ferrone, a gifted performer who began his tap dancing with Henry LeTang. Students were supplied with hats and canes and divided into groups to learn the many skills Ferrone presented.
Wisdom and Dee Mack, who returned by popular demand from last year's Festival, taught Hip Hop classes. Both have appeared in many music videos and tours.
Avi Miller and Ofer Ben, manufacturers of great tap shoes, taught classes and served as Masters of Ceremony for the participants showcase. They always present great warm-up classes with excellent combinations and routines.
Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards is sensational. She always gives a difficult class and keeps people thinking and wanting more. The hot-shot students look forward to her difficult classes. She is a wonderful example of how to dance and look. She is always dressed beautifully, her performance costumes are very feminine, and she dances in heels. She is a regular teacher at the Festival.
Shelley Oliver is not only an excellent teacher, but is responsible for producing some of the best tap music with her husband David Leonhardt and his jazz group. The albums are produced to incorporate stop time and punctuations that assist tap dancers in performance and class. She was a founding member of Manhattan Tap and was a co- artistic director/choreographer with the company, but left New York after she married and had children.
This year was Karen Callaway Williams' first time as a faculty member, and she taught well planned classes that showed her ability as a teacher, and assisted Marion Coles.
Robert L. Reed III earned a star spot on the faculty this year. His feet are extra fast and he has grown up helping the festivals in many ways. He toured with "Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk" and has performed all over the country.
Logan Miller, protégé of Robert L. Reed and captain of the St. Louis Hoofer's Club, has studied the style of the Step Brothers for seven years. He has assisted Dr. Jimmy Slyde and Dr. Prince Spencer in classes at previous festivals. He is proud of becoming a faculty member this year and inspires younger dancers. His dad, Randy Miller, serves as coordinator of everything to assist Reed.
The classes, performances, demonstrations, and panels featured at the Festival allow tap lovers to meet, get to know, and learn from many senior hoofers. The Festival also gives those with more experience a chance to get to know the younger dancers and to watch them grow and develop. The annual St. Louis Tap Festival is a treasure to the art of tap, tap lovers, and tap dancers everywhere.
Read more of Melba's columns on www.melbasdance.com.