Produced by Toffan Rhythm Projects
in partnership with Harbourfront Centre
August 19-21, 2022
Join us to experience legacy, tradition, and innovation in tap dance:
Shows - Workshops - Panel Discussions - Nightly Jams
FRIDAY AUGUST 19
OPENING NIGHT!
Between Two Di's
Harboufront Centre Theatre 7:30pm
TITDF Jam
Brigantine Room
9:30 - 11pm
SATURDAY AUGUST 20
Workshops
Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre
10am - 2:30pm
Panel Discussions
Harbourfront Studio Theatre
3-5pm
Convergence
Harboufront Centre Theatre 7:30pm
TITDF Jam
Brigantine Room
9:30 - 11pm
SUNDAY AUGUST 21
Workshops
Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre
10am - 3pm
Panel Discussions
Harbourfront Studio Theatre
3-5pm
Perspectives in Rhythm
Harboufront Centre Theatre 7:30pm
TITDF Jam
Brigantine Room
9:30 - 11pm
Scroll down for full details, box office, and registration links!
After much anticipation our festival returns this summer welcoming Dianne Walker, “America’s first lady of tap” (Boston Herald), well known as a pioneer of the tap resurgence in the 1970’s, her iconic contribution to Broadway’s Black & Blue, the only female dancer included in the Hoofer’s Line alongside Jimmy Slyde, Chuck Green, and Savion Glover to name a few, as well as her ongoing role as “Aunt Dianne” to the tap community, acting as a trusted mentor worldwide.
By submission only, selected Canadian tap dancers ages 18-30 will have the opportunity to be a part of a unique residency program with Dianne Walker.
Submissions are now closed. Please click below to learn more about the program.
DIANNE WALKER
RESIDENCY PROGRAM
photo credit: Turn Out Radio
Also visiting from the US is Jumaane Taylor (Chicago).
With his ensemble of 4 musicians and 4 dancers he’ll present Supreme Love, exploring John Coltrane's A Love Supreme with all original choreography and improvisation. Following runs in Chicago, Jacob’s Pillow, and various dance and music festivals, this will be the Canadian Premiere. Joining the cast are Toronto musicians Chris Gale, Lauren Falls, and Thompson Egbo-Egbo.
photo credit: Christopher Duggan
photo credit: The Art of Movement Photography
New commissioned work debuts from David Lafleur and Ella Steele in a cross Canada collaboration. From Gatineau, Winnipeg, Calgary, Montreal, and Toronto, their group “(in)sight” presents an exciting exploration of rhythm at our 2022 festival.
Also featured, an excerpt from Trax, a film by Canadian tap icon Lisa La Touche - discovering unknown Tap Dance ancestors, sending her on a journey exploring the borderless Black History unimaginable right underneath her feet.
As well, the next stage of development of Her, from Toronto’s Dianne Montgomery, originally premiering at the inaugural 2017 festival for which she composed both the music and choreography.
photo credit: ES Cheah Photography
And finally, closing up the festival we're thrilled to welcome Max Pollak (NYC) who transforms one body into three instruments. A tap dancer, vocalist, and body percussionist, Max blends these mediums within an Afro-Cuban musical context, providing audiences with a completely innovative approach to playing rhythm.
PERFORMANCES:
Friday August 19: Between Two Di's
We begin with Dianne Montgomery’s Her. Originally commissioned as a 15 minute piece at the inaugural festival, this will be Montgomery’s extension into a 30 minute work.
The second set highlights the incomparable Dianne Walker (Boston), featuring the dancers from our new generation residency program hailing from across Canada, repertoire from Leon Collins - her treasured mentor, live music, and personal anecdotes.
Saturday August 20: Convergence
Set one includes our new festival commission: (in)sight - a collaboration between Winnipeg’s Ella Steele and Gatineau’s David Lafleur followed by a screening (excerpt) of Trax - a film by Lisa La Touche.
Set two features the Canadian premiere of Supreme Love (Chicago). Celebrating John Coltrane's A Love Supreme with live jazz and tap dance, the work displays the spiritual, artistic and historical values that infuse human life, using a symbol of nature to transcend hope.
Sunday August 21: Perspectives in Rhythm
Set one highlights the performance ensembles from the Toronto Rhythm Initiative summer youth programs with choreography by Ella Steele, Cori Giannotta, Johnathan Morin and a participant collaboration from the pre-professional track directed by Allison Toffan. Also featured are David Cox, Tanya Knights, Travis Knights, Cori Giannotta & Johnathan Morin, and The Rhythm Ensemble.
Set two showcases Max Pollak performing a solo set sharing his original compositions through a cappella, duo pieces, and with full band support.
photo credit: William Frederking
photo credit: William Frederking
Location for all shows:
Harbourfront Centre Theatre
231 Queens Quay W
Toronto, ON
7:30pm
Festival show packages & group rates available:
(packages are for box office only, not workshops)
*group rates are automatically applied for purchases above 10, 15 and 20*
WORKSHOPS:
Workshops and Masterclasses will be offered by visiting festival artists. Due to capacity, all classes will be capped at 30 participants.
SATURDAY AUGUST 20:
2 hr masterclasses with Dianne Walker & Max Pollak
SUNDAY AUGUST 21:
Workshops with the cast of Supreme Love:
2 hr masterclass with Jumaane Taylor & drummer Isaiah Spencer
1 hr with Christina Carminucci, Ian Berg, Star Dixon
Click below for prices, times, and to register:
photo credit: ES Cheah Photography
OBSERVER PASSES FOR WORKSHOPS & MASTERCLASSES NOW AVAILABLE:
Location for workshops & masterclasses:
Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre
627 Queens Quay W
Toronto, ON
PANEL DISCUSSIONS:
Panel Discussions will be moderated by Festival Artistic Director, Allison Toffan, taking place on
Saturday & Sunday from 3-5pm.
SATURDAY AUGUST 20: A LIFE IN TAP DANCE
Panelists: Dianne Walker & Max Pollak
SUNDAY AUGUST 21: PROCESS & PROGRESS
Panelists: Dianne Walker, Ella Steele, David Lafleur, Jumaane Taylor, Dianne Montgomery, Travis Knights
Location:
The Brigantine Room
235 Queens Quay W
Toronto, ON
ADMISSION IS FREE!
(no registration required, capacity 162)
NIGHTLY JAMS:
Following each show, head over to the Brigantine Room in the main building and join us for our nightly jam sessions hosted by Tatiana Alfaro with her crew of fabulous local musicians.
Admission is FREE!
TITDF Jam
The Brigantine Room
235 Queens Quay W
9:30 - 11PM
On Behalf of the Toronto International Tap Dance Festival,
Toffan Rhythm Projects & Harbourfront Centre graciously recognize the generous support from:
Can't make it to the festival, but you'd like to show your support?
Please consider donating to our fundraising platform. It is not only to help us reach our goals for this year's event to be successful, but also to support the continuum of our values - more accessibility in the future through more free programming, and the opportunity to elevate the diverse voices of our homegrown excellence in tap dance, alongside other global leaders in our scene.
We'll be accepting donations through our online fundraiser up until 11:59pm on Monday August 22 here:
A contribution of any amount is greatly appreciated.
On behalf of the entire production team, we thank you so much for your support!