Scholars Day: April 11, 2012

Cultural Exchange: Tap Dancing in Mexico

Tap dance is a uniquely American art form. A blend of traditional cultural dance forms, tap dance is rooted in vernacular traditions of the African American expressive culture, and it also draws on the intricate footwork of Irish step dancing and Lancashire clogging. Is it possible these are the only cultural dances that have contributed to rhythm tap dance, or have other cultures influenced the art form as well? Further, what happens when rhythm tap dance is placed outside its native land? How might this American percussive dance form interface with other traditional percussive dance forms today? This session will investigate these questions as the presenter reveals her experience of sharing tap dance and learning traditional Mexican Folkloric dance in a cultural exchange with dancers in Puebla, Mexico.

Please note that presentation times are approximate. If you are interested in attending sessions with multiple presentations, please be in the room at the start of the session.