The Event: Broadway’s tallest tapper, Tommy Tune, headlined the silver anniversary “Jubalee” of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project at the Museum of Contemporary Art on July 30. in front of 270 guests.
The 6’6″ ten-time Tony Award winner performed his one-man show “Taps, Tunes and Tall Tales” for 270 guests, and received CHRP’s highest honor, the JUBA! Award for extraordinary lifetime achievement.
CHRP’S reach is global while its emphasis remains steadfast to promoting cultural diversity, honing ethnic minority participation and partnership among Chicago artists and communities.CHRP works to create a forum for contemporary percussive arts through world-class, innovative performance, education and outreach programs.
Cause célebre: “My mom and sister had been going to CHRP for years before I was dancing,” recalled Nico Rubio of Forest Park, CHRP faculty. He’s now opening the door to a third generation CHRPer by bringing his son. “I was just a spectator and now I have gone from scholarship student to professional dancer to teacher,” said the 25-year-old Rubio, who’s been dancing now for 17 years.
Through its American Rhythm Center, Global Rhythms concert series and, most recent, Stomping Grounds, a series of free events in five communities, CHRP has assured American tap dance a place on the world dance map.
“When you start something, you don’t necessarily think of 25 years down the road,” said Lane Alexander of Chicago, co-founder and artistic director. “Now I’m thinking about what we can do for the next 25.”
For Alexander, that next step is a partnership with an institution of higher learning to offer a degree in American tap dance.
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“We have a kids program and we have pre-professionals…we’d like to close that gap so that young people can actually study their art and be accredited for it,” he said.
Bottom Line: The evening raised $212,000 for CHRP programming. See chicagotap.org.