How to Survive Tap Festivals

Tap festivals are a fun way to hone your skills and learn as many things as you can throughout the weekend, the week, or the month! You may be able to make new friends from around the world, and stay connected to contemporary tap masters and the tap community. However, it be overwhelming when you are not adequately prepared, so here's a little survival guide to help ease your way through based on past experiences.

1. What classes do I take?

Honestly, you are your best judge when it comes to your level and ability. However, I would recommend those who have very little rhythm tap experience to go for an advanced beginner or intermediate class. These classes are more likely to break down concepts that are different from most syllabus tap classes out there in Singapore.

For those with more experience under their belts, feel free to take an intermediate-advanced, or advanced class. If you would like to be able to retain the new combinations, an intermediate-advanced class is better at facillitating that. Advanced classes are often fast paced, and the instructor is not likely to help break down the steps for you. If you're going in a group, you are more likely to remember things if one of you picks up a certain portion of the footwork while the other picks up another portion. It is much harder to go alone. If it helps, have a pen and paper ready to jot down the steps so that you can remember it for later!

2. How do I plan my trip?

Usually, there are official hotels linked to the tap festival in that area. But if you're looking for something that doesn't hurt your wallet, you could go to AirBnb or Couch Surfing to find cheap accomodations. Remember to book your flight and classes early so that you could nab on an early discount.

You should also come prepared to change your Singapore dollars into the local currency of the tap festival so that you could get your food or sightsee if you have the time. Like A Local is a neat website in the works that recommends good hangouts to avoid the tourist traps.

3. Will I experience culture shock?

For places like the Stockholm Tap Festival, there may be a language barrier with locals, but the lessons are conducted in English, and there weren't any complains from fellow Singaporean tap dancers who went there before. However, if you go to a tap festival in a suburban area, there might be a culture shock from the stand offish attitudes of the locals there as the location is not so popular with tourists. Most known tap festivals however, do attract other foreigners from Brazil to Taiwan, so you'll be fine knowing there are other aliens around you too.

4. How should I pack my tap shoes?

It's best to put them in your check in bag, as the metal plates may arouse suspicion if it is in a carry on while being scanned in the airport. Some tap dancers in Singapore packed 2 tap shoes with them just in case of of the shoes became too uncomfortable for them. I personally just use one Capezio K540 taps because these shoes are padded for maximum comfort such that I can take 4 classes in a day and jam without complaining of foot pains.

5. 4 classes in a day?!

And more! Some tap festivals would plan a 15 minute break in between, whereas some are back to back. Pick and choose your classes wisely so that you can have your lunch break as well. Grab an isotonic drink/Red Bull/iced tea so that you can recharge after every workshop as back to back classes can take a toll on your body.

Most of all, you should just go an enjoy yourself, and bring back what you've learned to share with the tap community in Singapore. Tap dance has always been about sharing and spreading information from person to person, so rep our country and get yourself out there!

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