Rhythm World is Chicago’s annual festival of American tap and percussive dance!
August 10 – September 4, 2020
Live and Virtual Masterclasses, Collaborative Performances and more . . .
Rhythm World 29.5
August 10 - August 15, 2020
Rhythm World is Chicago’s annual festival of American tap and percussive dance!
August 10 – September 4, 2020
Live and Virtual Masterclasses, Collaborative Performances and more . . .
Rhythm World, Chicago’s annual festival of tap and percussive dance, is excited to host a special, amended edition this year! Each summer, many of the world’s finest tap dance artists convene to educate, entertain and enlighten students and audiences in ear-bending classes and performances.
Rhythm World offers a comprehensive variety of education and performance programs that allow students and audience members to design their own experiences. This year, students can enroll for between 3 and 20 masterclasses. Audience members can enjoy Live Attended and Live Streamed performances at Navy Pier’s Lake Stage and the historic Jazz Showcase.
This year, classes will hosted online and registration is hosted through Eventbrite. If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you. You can reach us at registration@chicagotap.org or 312-542-2477.
2020 Faculty
Click on the names below to go directly to each artist’s bio.
2020 Faculty and Schedule
City of Chicago Imposes Curfew, 2020 Performances POSTPONED INDEFINITELY
2020 Performance Information
Every Event is Unique – Join Us for One or for All!
Please email us at info@chicagotap.org with any questions.
Monday, August 10, 7:00 PM
Opening Night at the Jazz Showcase POSTPONED Due to City of Chicago Curfew
Live streamed performance from Chicago’s historic Jazz Showcase featuring renowned comic Marz Timms as the evenings MC with performances by noted jazz pianist, Vijay Tellis-Nayak; foot drummers Lane Alexander(CHRP), Olivia Serrano (Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater), Claudia Morrison (Trinity Irish Dance Company), special guest from Natya Dance Theatre; and musical interludes with guitarist/ songster, Jorge Hohagen and Irish Bodhran player, Mike Austin. The performance is free, but “attendees” must register through Eventbrite!
Photo credit: Philamonjaro
Wednesday, August 12, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Navy Pier’s Polk Bros Park LAKE STAGE Performance has been POSTPONED Indefinitely due to the City of Chicago Curfew
LIVE performance at Navy Pier’s Polk Bros Park Lake Stage. Also hosted by Marz Timms, this performance will feature solos, duets and trios by Muntu Dance Theatre, Natya Dance Theatre, Trinity Irish Dance Company and Collaborative Institute for Cultural Arts (CICA). CHRP will also host its first mixed-form improv tournament in a light hearted battle of rhythms. Enjoy a beautiful evening on Chicago’s spectacular Lake Stage lawn on your socially distanced picnic blanket or from the comfort of your home. This event will also be live streamed on CHRP’s Facebook page. Register for this event and you’ll receive an invitation for a closed screening of CHRP’s Emmy nominated PBS Documentary: JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance!
Heidi Zieger Photography
Frequently Asked Questions
Next Step is a professional level program for technically advanced dancers, where teachers are encouraged to experiment and take technical and aesthetic risks to advance the field of tap and percussive dance. Students are expected to fully participate in this boundary pushing environment.
Next Step programs are open to students who pass the Video Audition process. To learn more about Video Auditions, please click here.
The best way to determine the appropriate level for your child is to ask their instructor, who is most familiar with your child’s abilities. If their teacher is unfamiliar with our program and/or instructors, we can better determine an appropriate level if you provide a video link which shows you or your child/student dancing. You can send video links to registration@chicagotap.org.
While there are no strict age restrictions for most programs, some things to consider are whether your child is at the appropriate skill and maturity level for the chosen classes. Maturity and skill level are not always determined by age, but students must be able to function in a highly focused learning environment.
Unfortunately, there are no classes offered at Rhythm World for absolute beginners. There are a few advanced beginner classes for those with some tap experience. Beginner level classes are offered year-round at the American Rhythm Center.
No, videos are not allowed. You must ask permission of the instructor if you wish to make a video AFTER class. Videos are NOT permitted under any circumstance DURING classes.
You may register at the festival for any classes that still have openings. However, CHRP does not guarantee that you will be able to get a spot in your preferred classes if you register at the festival. We highly recommend you register in advance.
Early registration discounts are available if you register by May 25. Tuition credits are also available for groups of 6 or more.
Students may cancel their registration by June 14 to receive a refund minus a $75.00 cancellation fee + the $30.00 registration fee. Unfortunately, refunds will not be issued after this date for any reason.
If classes are full, you can be placed on a wait list for the classes you wish to take. CHRP will notify you if a spot opens up in your desired class.
CHRP reserves the right to cancel any class before the start of the festival, due to low enrollment. If your class is cancelled, we will notify you right away and you will have an option of moving to a different class, a tuition credit to be used at another program or a full refund.
Please call the CHRP office at 312-542-2477 to learn more about volunteer opportunities at Rhythm World.