Capitol Tap’s 5th Anniversary Gala
Civic Center
Silver Spring, Maryland
January 10, 2015
by George Jackson
© 2014 by George Jackson
In America today, tap dancing’s subculture resembles that of ballet - somewhat. Both art forms organize the training of fresh talent around competitions. The presence of parents – ballet dads and tap moms – behind the scenes and in the audience is a crucial building block that gives both camps a middle class look. Racially, tap seems more truly integrated than ballet, at least along black/white lines. The gala held this past Saturday evening for tappers across the DC area featured several things in addition to perform- ance. Items such as tap shoes were on auction. Instrumentalists from Sonova (the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia) provided incidental music. There was a bar and a buffet. Two individuals were honored – tap matriarch Yvonne Edwards and current tap star Baakari Wilder*. The founder of the Capitol Tap organization, Lisa Swenton-Eppard, had devised a festive way to start the still fresh and new year, 2015. Most of those delivering the tap moves and sound were in their early teens.
Photo: Baakari Wilder. Photo by Enoch Chan