FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Bril Barrett
c/o M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Inc.
PHONE: (773) 604-1899
FAX: (773) 604-1898
EMAIL: tapsummit@maddrhythms.com
www.maddrhythms.com
M.A.D.D. Rhythms presents the 2020 Virtual Chicago Tap Summit
M.A.D.D. Rhythms and Harold Washington Cultural Center are proud to present this year’s Chicago Tap Summit,
now held virtually, with respect to CDC guidelines for social distancing during the COVID-19. The Chicago Tap
Summit (CTS) is our annual celebration of our artform, our city, and our community. Presented in partnership with
Harold Washington Cultural Center, we invite anyone and everyone with love for the dance to join our faculty of
Chicago tap pioneers and boundary-breakers alike, as we focus on building our community, preserving our
history, and above all showing Respect for the Dance.
Building off the success of our M.A.D.D. Virtual Tap Experience (MVTE) in May, we’re pleased to offer
pre-recorded classes from world-class dancers for attendees, and live streamed events available for the public.
You can join us to watch classic tap footage, tap jams, and discussions. The event will culminate in a
live-streamed premiere from the company, entitled M.A.D.D. Greatest Hits. While the event occurs over one
weekend, online classes and registration will remain available until Oct. 16th.
The broader tap community is a family, and as such, we aim to make this education as accessible as possible for
students of all backgrounds. This year we implemented a new Buy One, Give One option in our registration for the
festival, allowing families with a financial advantage a chance to fund the scholarship of a dancer who can really
use the help. We never let financial issues stand in the way of an education. M.A.D.D. Rhythms proudly provided
30 scholarships for MVTE, 10 of which were donated by generous families.
The faculty for last year’s summit included members of the world famous M.A.D.D. Rhythms tap dance company
as well as special guest artists who have each made great contributions to the culture of tap in Chicago. Students
joined 13 teachers to learn and celebrate all that is this incredible art form that we all call our own. We proudly
offered master classes and performances from Tap Dance Artists: Sarah Savelli, George Patterson III, Jumaane
Taylor, Nico Rubio, Ian Berg, Ja’bowen Dixon, Latrell Garnett, Nora Clark, Bril Barrett, Star Dixon, Donnetta
Jackson, Tristan Bruns, and Megan Davis.
DATES: October 2nd-4th, 2020
ATTENDANCE: 500+
LOCATION: maddrhythms.com
About M.A.D.D. Rhythms
M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS is a phenomenal TAP dance collective whose “SOLE” purpose is to spread the Love and
Joy of TAP worldwide. What started as Bril Barrett & Martin Dumas III’s formula for giving back, is now a
full-fledged performing arts company.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ mission is to preserve, promote and contribute to this art form called tap. We will teach its
history, represent its culture and advocate for its future. We will use this beautiful dance/music form to make a
difference in the under-served communities of this world by connecting and caring for the youth of this world. We
believe that having access and options gives a child a greater chance at a positive life. Therefore, we will spread
the joy, love, discipline and expression of tap to as many children as we humanly can!
M.A.D.D. Rhythms is MAKING A DIFFERENCE DANCING RHYTHMS.
