On Wednesday July 28, 2010, some more awesomeness will be happening at c{space… welcome to Soul’D Out!

The event is presented by The Tap Factor ― a new local professional company that offers free dance lessons and community outreach ― in collaboration with The Dayton Playhouse. It will kick off with a pre-show at 7 p.m., featuring live interactive poetry by Robert Paschell, a puppet show, photography by Sarah Babcock, massages by April Kline and other massage therapists, face painting by Jenny Allen Popp, a silent auction, and food and drinks donated by local vendors. The main show will begin at 8 p.m. with an on-stage jam session and performances. An after-show beginning at approximately 9:30 p.m. will conclude the evening with a dance party.

Soul’D Out will help The Tap Factor keep tap dancing and community outreach alive in Dayton following disbandment of Rhythm in Shoes, a Dayton-based performance ensemble that played traditional Appalachian music and performed urban dance styles for 23 years. To purchase tickets for the event, call the Dayton Playhouse at 937-424-8477 between 2 and 5 p.m. Tickets also can be purchased at the door if available. Admission is $20 for seats and $12 for standing room.

“This is the perfect chance to introduce our visitors to what makes the arts scene in Dayton so distinctive and allows for further discovery of the city’s untapped artistic potential,” said Christopher Erk, the event’s organizer and founder of The Tap Factor.

Along with Christopher Erk and The Tap Factor, participating artists include:

• Drummer David Bush, who has performed with Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated artists from diverse musical styles;
• The Dayton Tap Dance Company, a senior dance ensemble;
• Zoot Theater Company, Dayton’s original puppet and mask company;
• Deron “DB” Bell, a renowned musician and current director of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company;
• Shaw Pong Liu of Boston, a violinist and operations manager for Dayton’s Blue Sky Project;
• Anthony Russo of St. Louis, a member of the traveling dance workshop Tap the Map;
• Jumaane Taylor of Chicago, a member of the Chicago-based tap group M.A.D.D. Rhythms Inc. and a faculty member of the workshop Tap the Map (see video below);
• students from Stivers School for the Arts and Wright State University; and
• other very special, surprise guests.

“This is an event that extends beyond age and language barriers,” Erk said. “From the moment you walk into c{space, you will participate in a journey through an array of different experiences.”

According to Erk, the event is an opportunity to showcase local under-discovered talent. Anne Rasmussen, c{space’s operations director, said this is in perfect sync with c{space’s mission to encourage and support emerging local artists while helping improve the cultural vibrancy of downtown Dayton.

“This is going to be a performance of the likes people have never seen before,” Erk said. “It’s a rare opportunity to witness what happens when Dayton’s most talented entities get together under the same roof. We’re going to show everyone what Dayton has to offer.” Erk also would like to thank Wade Hamilton of the Dayton Playhouse for his guidance in developing the show.

Soul’D Out’s guest tap dancers will teach at Tap the Map, a workshop the following night, on Thursday, July 29 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Jeanette Popp School of Dance, 7762 Waynetown Blvd. Tickets cost $75. Participants can bring their Soul’D Out ticket stub for a $5 rebate upon registration. For more details on Tap the Map, go to www.tapontour.com.

Jumaane Taylor: “Ile Ife”