ATDFGala2009

For Immediate Release

Contact Audrey Ross at: AudreyRossPub@aol.com

Or call: (212) 877-3399

Tony Waag and the American Tap Dance Foundation

'TAKE IT TO THE STAGE'

for their annual Fundraiser to support the Gregory Hines Youth Scholarship Fund

and the organization's ongoing education programs

Wednesday February 18, 7 PM

Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South

Performance only $35; Performance/Meet the Artists Reception $100

Reservations: 646-230-9564 or www.atdf.org/tix.htm

Tony Waag's American Tap Dance Foundation will "Take it to the Stage" for its 4th annual Fundraiser/Performance, February 18th. Judson Church will rock and roll with performances by an all-star cast - some of today's brightest and most innovative tap choreographers and dancers.

There will be new works by **Chloe Arnold

**Barbara Duffy & Company

**Derick K. Grant

**Kendrick Jones

**Parallel Exit

**Melinda Sullivan

**Jason Samuels Smith

**Dormishia Sumbry Edwards.

Also **Tap City Youth Ensemble, directed by Susan Hebach, in works by

**Guillem Alonso, of Barcelona

**the late Buster Brown

**Michelle Dorrance

**Josh Hilberman

**Tony Waag.

Proceeds from the evening will support the Gregory Hines Youth Scholarship Fund and ongoing education programs of American Tap Dance Foundation. Formerly known as the American Tap Dance Orchestra, ATDF was founded in 1986 by master tap dancers Brenda Bufalino, Tony Waag, and the late Charles "Honi" Coles. In 2002, with a new

generation of tap dancers and enthusiasts, the organization was renamed, and under the direction of Tony Waag, now sponsors year-round programming that includes:

* Tap City, the annual New York City Tap Festival

* Tap City on Tour

* on-going Tap Classes for Kids, Teens, and Adults

* the Tap City Youth Ensemble

* Master Tap Choreography Intensives

* the Gregory Hines Youth Scholarship Fund

* the Gregory Hines Collection of American Tap Dance archives, housed at the New York

Public Library at Lincoln Center

The Benefit takes place during Waag's groundbreaking new SoundCheck, A Tap Dance Concert Series - four evenings of new tap works by both young and seasoned performers. Ever encouraging and supportive of new tap choreographies, Waag will present works by two choreographers on each program:

Thursday February 12 - choreography by Christopher Scott, performed by dancers Kendrick Jones, Michaela Marino-Lerman, Bankari Wilder, Carson Murphy, Melinda Sullivan, and Scott; and choreography and music by Katherine Kramer and Lanzallamas, performed by 4 dancers and 6 musicians;

Friday February 13 - choreography by Joshua Hilberman, with pianist Paul Arsianian, and choreography by Brenda Bufalino, who performs along with the Tap City Youth Ensemble;

Thursday February 19 - choreography by Barbara Duffy, performed by Duffy and Company, and choreography by Ryan Kasprzak, Brent McBeth, and Derek Roland;

Friday February 20 - choreography by Michaela Marino-Lerman; and

choreography by Max Pollak for his RumbaTap dancers and musicians.

All SoundCheck performances at 8 PM at Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South. (Wednesday February 18 Benefit at 7 PM)

Tickets for SoundCheck at 800-838-3006

Tickets for the Benefit at 646-230-9564