THE AUSTRALIAN TAP DANCE FESTIVAL SHUFFLES INTO MELBOURNE 28 SEPT - 5 OCT Featuring a world-class line-up of top tap talent, masterclasses, jams, showcases and Rhythm Empire gala event Classes for all skills, levels and ages! Whether you are 6 or 60, tap dance is a fun way to fitness and recreation. Australia's Top Celebration of Tap Shuffles into Melbourne This Spring The 8th annual Australian Tap Dance Festival will once again shuffle into Melbourne this Spring, 28 September - 5 October, featuring a world class line-up of spectacular tappers on show at Australia's premiere celebration of Tap. The Australian Tap Dance Festival is the only one of its kind in Australasia and offers an action-packed week of tap including choreography, masterclasses, battles, special events and showcases for all ages and skill levels. Culminating with the highly anticipated Gala event - Rhythm Empire - displaying the highest caliber of tap talent. The festival runs at the renowned Ministry of Dance, a full accredited dance and training studio founded by acclaimed Australian dancer and choreographer Jason Coleman. This year's faculty features an exceptional line up of accomplished tap dancers including headliner Omar Edwards (USA)- a 23- year tap veteran who has performed around the world and on Broadway in Bring Da Noise Bring in Da Funk along with appearances at the White House, the Hollywood Bowl, and on Showtime at the Apollo and the Ellen Degeneres television programs. Other esteemed faculty include Winston Morrison (founder of Melbourne Tap Dance school and Australian Tap Dance Festival Director), Thomas Wadelton (international Australian performer trained under Tap Dogs founder Christopher Horsey), Bill Simpson (creator of Strictly Gershwin and founder of Just Tap and Red Hot Rhythm performance group), Shane Preston (current coach of the IDO World Championship Australian Team ), Jack Egan (The Forge Tap Project), Eden Read (Opera Australia, The Space Dance & Arts Centre), Jessie Cram (Rhythm Tap Melbourne, Darren Disney (original Tap Dog dancer and funder of D3 Darren Disney Dance studio), Gary Stocks (former coryphée Australian Ballet), Tania Chodasewicz (Capitol Performance Studio Sydney) and Emma Wickham (creator of Footnotes tap troupe). Each carefully selected faculty member will be offering exclusive teaching of masterclasses and residencies for all ages and levels as well as performances for audiences. Rhythm Empire - Australian Tap Dance Festival Gala Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 7 PM - 8:30 PM The Irving Hall Malvern, Victoria, Australia 3143 Tickets · $20 - $36 www.trybooking.com On Saturday 5th October at 7pm, the highly anticipated event of the Australian Tap Dance Festival will present international and Australian tap dancers showcasing everything you love about tap dance and more. An evening of music, rhythm and toe-tapping entertainment! Enjoy the sound and movement of Australia's best tap dancers from shows such as So You Think You Can Dance, 42nd Street, Tap Dogs, plus their hard working residency performers, and international headliner and Bessie Award Nominee, Omar Edwards (Bring in Da Noise Bring in Da Funk, Showtime at the Apollo, Black and Blue) from New York. Be excited and inspired by the entertainment and diversity of the wonderful art form of tap dance. Media review of previous years Gala Shows (by Dance Informa and Dance Writer): ​​​ "Experiencing tap dance is a unique experience because you feel the rhythms created by the dancer and travel a physical journey with them. If you think 'Anything Goes' is the height of the art form just wait until you see everything else it can be under the exploration of great artists such as Egan and Butterfly!" "Even as an audience member who knows virtually nothing about the technical aspects of tap dance, I couldn't help but be impressed by the energy and dynamism exhibited by the dancers, and the varying styles of performance - from funk to Flamenco to hip-hop" "If this show can prove one thing, it is tap can blend into any dancing style. If you are a fan for long legs and bowler hats, there are Broadway numbers with live vocals for you. If you are hot for some Flamenco, there are routines inspired by Paso Doble. The audience even gets to indulge in a little Michael Jackson tribute" "When the visiting artists did their solo pieces it became clear that we were seeing some of the world's best on this local stage in Armadale." Seating is allocated. Be sure to book early for the best seats in the house, front and centre!