Dancing Shoes
Bringing Soul to Sole: Tapestry's annual tap festival showcases an American artform
As the only full-time tap company in the country, Tapestry Dance Company has made a name by venturing near and far to spread the American art of tap dance. Last fall, the professional company traveled to China for a month-long trek where they performed the award-winning show, The Souls of Our Feet to international audiences, many of whom were unfamiliar with the indigenous art form.
This week, Tapestry brings its mission home with 12th Annual Soul to Sole Festival, an Austin-based tap conference and festival that began on Monday, May 28, and runs through Sunday, June 3.
Soul to Sole Festival brings teachers and dancers from around the world to Austin — also home to the International Tap Association — for a week-long celebration of tap. At the heart of the festival is an intensive program that includes 42 master classes, seven full choreography exercises, freestyle "tap jams" and panel discussions.
Taught by an impressive list of accomplished teachers ranging from Tapestry co-founder Acia Gray to guests from Chicago, New York City and Paris, Soul to Sole Festival has tracks fit for students of all levels, novice to master.
The festival also has offerings for those who aren't ready to break out their dancing shoes quite yet. In addition to a full schedule of classes, Tapestry will close out this year's festival with two special performances at the Long Center for the Performing Arts that are open to the public.
Friday, June 1: Soul to Sole Showcase
Join Tapestry and the students of the 12th annual Soul to Sole Festival for a showcase wrapping up the week’s events with performances by festival attendees.
Saturday, June 2: Friends In Time/ Soul to Sole Faculty Concert
The Soul to Sole faculty will show off their skills at a special Saturday evening showcase. Featuring international artists, as well as local and national soloists and companies, the Faculty Concert will take audience members on a diverse trip through the unique world of rhythm tap.
Immediately after the Soul to Sole Festival, Tapestry Dance Company is headed north to continue its mission of spreading the art of tap through a series of performances in Trois Rivieres, Montreal, Canada.
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For more information about this weekend's Soul to Sole Festival performances, visit www.tapestry.org.