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Toronto International Tap Dance Festival Produced by Toffan Rhythm Projects with support from Harbourfront Centre.
AUGUST 15 - 18, 2024
Join us to experience legacy, tradition, and innovation in tap dance:
Shows 🔹️ Workshops 🔹️ Panel Discussions 🔹️ Nightly Jams
After experiencing sold out programming in 2022, our third edition of the festival expands to a four day event for 2024, where the surfacing theme is DUALITY:
Two legacies, two commissions, two percussionists, two mediums of expression.
Box Office and Registration open JUNE 15, 2024
FOR MORE INFO VISIT
www.toffanrhythmprojects.com
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✨️RESTORATIVE CULTURE -- August 15th
Our 2024 festival opens with a film screening of Restorative Culture. Born of a 2021 film project produced by Luminato, curated by Travis Knights, the documentary explores local Indigenous Tap Dancer Johnathan Morin’s journey.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A, and a performance featuring Jonathan and live jazz trio.
TITDF will donate a portion of Opening Night's proceeds to an Indigenous charity of Johnathan's choice.
✨️GENESIS -- August 16th
The second evening of programming features NYC’s Brenda Bufalino. A pioneer of the 1970’s tap renaissance, she was integral in moving the form forward through her mentorship with Charles “Honi” Coles, touring with the Copasetics, Gregory Hines, and the Nicholas Brothers, and the creation of the American Tap Dance Orchestra.
A poet, author, vocalist, improvisor, and choreographer, Ms. Bufalino has received several awards from the National Endowment for The Arts, deeming two of her choreographies American Masterpieces. In addition, she's received The Flobert Award, The Tapestry Award, The Tap City Hall of Fame Award, The Dance Magazine, and the prestigious Bessie Award, all for outstanding achievement and contributions to the field of tap dance.
Still touring today as one of the world’s most in-demand artists, we're thrilled to welcome her to our festival!
Opening for Ms. Bufalino, we're thrilled to present two new works!
TITDF will present 15 minute commissions from Vaughan’s Ryan Foley - an established and celebrated voice, juxtaposed with Toronto’s Victoria Miller, an emerging artist forging her path through consistent musical collaborations.
Foley is set to collaborate with his daughter, contemporary dancer Madison Foley, and composer Nathan Hiltz, while Victoria is joined by a high impact ensemble to explore the music of the Soulquarians in collaboration with pianist Darryl Joseph-Dennie.
✨️CONVERGENCE -- August 17th
On day three, we're proud to present a double bill featuring Danny Nielsen’s In Conversation (Vancouver) and Michela Marino Lerman’s Love Movement (NYC).
Known for his prolific skill and musical sensibility, Danny is widely revered and respected across the globe.
In Conversation is Danny's collaboration with renowned Bulgarian pianist/percussionist Kristian Alexandrov which delves into the symbiotic relationship between tap dance and jazz piano. Touching on new takes of old standards, and original music, the two will co-create a performance drawing on everything from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B, hip hop and rock.
Offering his invaluable experience, Matthew Shields will join the project as creative consultant and director.
Recently presented by the Joyce Theatre, The NY Times has called Michela a “prodigy”, describing her dancing as “flashes of brilliance”, while Quincy Jones states she’s an “absolute tap dancing star who knows her roots.”
Love Movement is not your ordinary band. The ensemble is a hybrid of the highest levels of musicianship and hoofing. This group incorporates original music, spirituals, jazz, traditional and electronic tap boards, which will surely challenge your thoughts, uplift, and send you dancing all the way home. Love Movement reflects a journey through the levels of love we experience throughout life starting with familial love, self-love and realization, protest, prayer, spiritual love, and finally romantic love. Love Movement is an immersive musical experience that will leave the audience feeling moved and empowered.
✨️RHYTHM LIVES: HONOURING THE LEGACY OF ETHEL BRUNEAU -- August 18th
And finally, closing up the festival we're honoured to present a tribute to Montreal’s Queen of Tap: Ethel Bruneau. (1936-2023)
Born in NYC, Ms. Bruneau was a veteran performer of top variety shows including Ed Sullivan, moving to Montreal in 1953 while on tour with Cab Calloway. A pillar in Canada’s history, we pay her tribute, celebrating her legacy in an extravaganza resembling the height of her heyday.
Featuring members of the Bruneau family, local youth performers, selected pieces from the community (by submission only) and other prominent acts, the show will be curated by local power couple, Travis & Tanya Knights - distinguished voices in today’s national scene, who began their journeys under Ethel’s tutelage.
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✨️TITDF NIGHTLY JAMS -- 9:30-11:00pm
Brigantine Room - in the main building at Harbourfront Centre.
Joined by local musicians, we're thrilled to have the incredibly talented Veronica Simpson host our nightly jams this year! She'll begin each evening with a short set, and then open the stage for all to sit in! Best of all, it's FREE!
On Thursday, we'll host an opening night party (details coming soon!), and from Friday - Sunday, we'll close each day with the jam.
✨️TITDF CLASS SCHEDULE
Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre - 627 Queens Quay (15 minute walk from Harbourfront Centre).
Workshops: $40
Clinics: $60
Masterclasses: $80
(all prices plus processing fee & HST)
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE!
REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 15, 2024
Saturday, August 17th:
🔹️Masterclass -- Suzanne Bruneau (Int)
10:00am-12:00pm
🔹️Workshop -- Victoria Miller (Int)
12:00-1:00pm
🔹️Workshop -- Tanya & Travis Knights (Int/Adv)
1:00-2:00pm
🔹️Workshop -- Ryan Foley (Adv)
2:00-3:00pm
Sunday, August 18th:
🔹️Masterclass -- Brenda Bufalino (Int/Adv)
10:00am-12:00pm
🔹️Clinic -- Michela Marino Lerman & Russell Hall (Adv/Pro)
12:00-1:30pm
🔹️Clinic -- Danny Nielsen (Adv/Pro)
1:30-3:00pm
✨️TITDF PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Moderated by Artistic Director, Allison Toffan, these discussions will take place in the Studio Theatre, in the main building at Harbourfront Centre, for FREE!
Saturday August 17: Legacy
🔹️3:00-4:00pm Brenda Bufalino
🔹️4:00-5:00pm Tanya & Travis Knights, Suzanne Bruneau & Family
Sunday August 18: Process
🔹️3:00-4:00pm Ryan Foley & Victoria Miller
🔹️4:00-5:00pm Michela Marino Lerman & Danny Nielsen
FOR MORE INFO VISIT
www.toffanrhythmprojects.com
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West,Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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