The Philly Tap Challenge began when it bothered me how much I missed performing tap at the National Tap Dance Day Celebrations by Beverly, then Tap Team 2. it had been a couple years. I had no place to inspire my young tap kids any longer, and neither did anyone else! It needs to live again, and I can’t be the only person who feels this way, so believing in that simple thought, I integrated tap and percussion people to infuse the Coffeehouse gatherings.
PTC developed out of ‘the Coffeehouse’, a fundraising event I began at the Community Education Center in 2002 for the benefit of New LEJA Dances home seasons. Each of the 3 years the event thrived, it grew in performer reach and quality and became a friend to the tap dancer and many students testing their skill level in front of a live audience. Next I used the Coffehouse structure as the general format to celebrate National Tap Day and split the playbill with New LEJA Dances for 3 consecutive years until it’s audience had sufficient time to build. It was during this transitional period the Philadelphia Civic Ballet Co. joined as a presenter.
Since then , PTC has been standing on it’s own because of the support of its audience and growing into its established purpose. Highlighting the style and legacy of famous African Americans, their prodigy and the lineage being passed on today. LaVaughn Robinson - 2006, the Nicholas Brothers -2007, LEJA-2008; and for 2009, expanding the idea to not only honor and share the history, but to also actively mentor 5 young dancers in the history of 5 women in tap through its newest component, 'the Virtual Quilt' project.
Today PTC has successfully bridged the east coast - west coast tap community by attracting world class artists: Jason Samuels Smith, Chloe Arnold, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Dianne Walker, Karen Callaway Williams, the Nicholas Sisters and the original Silver Belles to share their collective legacies in the intimacy of classrooms and on stage for the general public.
Sponsors, partners and supporters include: Leeway Foundation, Commonwealth of PA DCED, Dance Advance a program of Pew Arts & Heritage, Wal-Mart, Leo's, Sen. Hardy Williams and Sen. Michael Stack
Submitted by Jaye Allison
