Debbie Allen's Tap Festival

angel winns · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 129 Location: Southern CA

Gabe, my brother, and I are going with a bunch of dance friends to the Tap Fest at Debbie Allen's Dance Academy in L.A. this Thursday and Friday and taking a bunch of tap master classes. The festival is the whole week but we can just afford two days. It's so much fun. We go every year and take from awesome master teachers and last year we got to meet Debbie Allen and she is sooooo nice.

Ande · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 64

That sounds like a lot of fun! Let us know how it goes.

angel winns · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 129 Location: Southern CA

Gabe and I had an awesome time at the Tap Fest, learned a lot, and we got to meet Prince Spencer of the "Four Step Brothers." Prince is in his 70's now and we got to shake his hand after class and he told me and gabe that we were good and to keep going. He watched that class and it was an honor to have him there. I couldn't believe that he was there watching me in class. They performed from the 1920's to the 1960's and have performed all around the world, been in lots of movies, and have their own star on Hollywood Blvd. It was amazing to meet him. More info below........

The Four Step Brothers were a 1920s dancing team. The group started out as a trio in 1925, with the original members, Maceo Anderson, Al Williams and Red Walker. Their original name was Step Brothers. However, the "Step Brothers" would be a name for a famous a young tap dancing quartet. They then changed their name to "The Three Step Brothers". Later in 1927, the Four Step Brothers when they let in a new member, Sherman Robertson. Dubbed "The Eight Feet of Rhythm", They soon traveled with Duke Ellington. Maceo started with the "Brothers" while working as a newsboy while frequently practiing at the Hoofer Club.

The "Brothers" incorporated Snake Hips, Camel Walks, 5 tap Wings, Slides, Afro-Cuban Movements, Rhythm Tap, The Strut straight Acrobatics, etc. They would not change their dance steps except for making them better and employing new dancers.

The group became known for their dance routines, which they used no music whatsoever. They became one of the longest lasting dance groups, lasting over forty years. Even through the 1960s.

The Dance Masters of America awarded the group with the Life Achievement award in 1960. Then in 1985, the life Achievement award for helping to break the color barrier. Three years later, They received their own "Star" in 1988 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Step_Brothers"

My favorite teacher of the two days was Jason Samuels from the "Tap Dogs." I have taken from him a few times before and he is the best!