Highlighting the truest of American dance forms, the 21st Annual Jazz and Tap Dance Festival comes to Northern Virginia Community College's campus this weekend, Feb. 24 and 25. Produced by Dancin' Unlimited, the festival brings together the dance companies Center Stage, Encore Performers, Fusion Dance, Future Shock DC, Impulse, Metro Tap and the Shenandoah Dance Ensemble. Marilyn York, director/choreographer of Dancin' Unlimited and producer of the festival, discusses the performances.
Describe your piece/set of pieces: There is a large variety of pieces in the show. We have contemporary jazz, Broadway jazz, tap, hip hop.
Eight companies are participating in the festival. What forms of dance are represented? Broadway jazz, classical jazz, contemporary jazz, hip hop, tap.
What were some of the challenges when putting together the performance? I've enjoyed putting this show together for the past 21 years. The biggest challenge was to coordinate between the groups and putting the details together like music and variety of dance forms.
What stands out the most about this production? The amazing variety of talent in this area. We have so many superb jazz and tap dancers in the area.
What has been a favorite dance-related moment (either on stage or backstage)? To present jazz and tap in a professional concert format all under one roof.
What do you hope the audience gains from the show? To gain an appreciation of jazz and tap and realize that jazz dance is a legitimate art form like modern and ballet.