Released on = January 26, 2007, 5:26 am

Press Release Author = Dance to Health

Industry = Entertainment

Press Release Summary = Tap Dancing allows individual creativity, can be done alone,
with a partner or in a group and is a great way to relax and have fun.

Press Release Body = Tap Dance is an art form known to many younger people mainly
through films and stage shows, such as "A Chorus Line". What is tap dance?
Merriam-Webster's definition is "A step dance tapped out audibly by means of shoes
with hard soles and heels to which taps have been added".

There is no doubt that American tap originated with the salves forcibly imported
from Africa. The slaves retained their traditional rhythms by transferring them to
their feet. very complex rhythmic patterns evolved and a subtle, complex and vibrant
form of dance arose.

By the middle of the nineteenth century African Americans had combined their dance
with Irish and British clogging steps. Eventually this evolved into Modern Tap
Dance. Aluminium heel and toe taps did not come into use until after 1910.

William Henry Lane (1825-1852) alias "Master Juba" created "Juba" dance which was a
mixture of European Jig, Reel Steps, Clog and African rhythms. It enjoyed its
greatest popularity in about the 1830's.

The Soft Shoe is a form of tap performed with soft soled shoes without metal taps
attached. "Buck Dancing" is an early tap dance performed by minstrel and vaudeville
performers caricaturing African American men who were known disparagingly as
"Bucks". The "Black Bottom" became an overnight sensation in 1926.

Tap dance has a wonderful terminology with expressions such as "spank", "nerve tap"
and "chuggy". The Guinness World Book of Records holder the late Roy Castle achieved
1,400 taps per minute.

Flamenco can be categorized as tap dance. Irish popular clogg dances were performed
wearing wooden "clogg shoes" the footwear of the poorest people. At the moment
improvisational tap dancing known as "jazz" tap dancing is in vogue. tap without
musical accompaniment is known as "cappella" dancing. Tap dancing can be highly
therapeutic against stress and is good general exercise.
http://www.dance-to-health-help-your-special-needs-child.com

I'd like to mention a few of the"greats" such as Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers,
Gregory Hines, Gene Kelly, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, and Sammy Davis Junior.

In the late 1970's tap dance underwent a resurgence.

Web Site = http://www.dance-to-health-help-your-special-needs-child.com

Contact Details = Dzagbe Cudjoe