New stuff from the Tap Fam on National Tap Dance Day!

There were so many new tap dance videos that came out on the days leading up to National Tap Dance Day. It made me more enthusiastic about compiling a blogpost listing these awesome tap dancers, hence I am posting twice today in conjunction with National Tap Dance Day. That, and I am also in line with Operation: Tap's mission to raise awareness about tap dance around the world. Check out their newest mission #missioncelebrate on Facebook and try to post as much as you can about tap dance on Bill Robinson's special day. But for now, sit back, relax, and be inspired when you get back on the wood!

Sarah Reich's new video was especially fun to watch. There was something about the cinematography, the music, and the taps, that invokes such a nice party atmosphere when you watch the video. The tap duet from the rapper was pretty unexpected, and personally, if I were to be in a band, this is the kind of sound I would go for - rap, jazz (and a sprinkle of pop), with tap dancing as percussion of course!

These ladies well into their golden age are an inspiration to watch. Even though the steps were pretty repetitive, it's great to know that the joy of tap dance can transcend age! There's always been a lingering fear of possibly getting a dance-ending injury, but when these stories are afloat, it always gives me hope.

If there's something a little more stunning that came out of Britain's Got Talent, it has to be this tap group. Although they adopted a more theatrical style, their short routine was enough to impress the judges. Now I know you straight ladies, gay men, and everyone else in the spectrum who are attracted to males, might be drooling at their looks, they also have still got skill to boot. My only comment is that their sound could be tighter. Either that, or the video is screwing up with the audio a little. I wouldn't know. Either way, enjoy a piece that rings back to the Fred Astaire/Gene Kelly days.

These Vassar students' got rhythm, period. It's really impressive to see an improv between a horn player and a tap dancer. I have done an improv percussion part with a guitarist before, but not with a brass instrument. So this is probably something I can look into when I find a saxophonist, trumpet player, or trombone player to jam with.

Last but not least, a voice that is often sorely missed in the tap family. Here's a video from Taiwan to complete this little world tour of tap dancers (North America, Europe, and Asia. I know we're missing Africa, South America, and Oceania, so we're waiting for you to jump in to share your stuff!) Again, this is a very interesting concept to explore, a collaboration between a belly dancer and a tap dancer, where the tap dancing acts as the percussion to accompany the belly dancer. Fusions like these are often criticised for taking away the essence of each of the art forms, but in this case, both of the dances actually complement each other while remaining true to its roots really well.

Now that I have these tap videos out of the way, Singapore, we're waiting for you to jump in and tap dance too! Send in anything you have over to this blog at the contact form and I would gladly share it in a blog post.

Until then, enjoy National Tap Dance Day, tappybody :D

#tapdance #nationaltapdanceday #missioncelebrate #OperationTap #tapvideos #tapfamily #tapdancevideos