Chicago Human Rhythm Project Presents WINTER TAP JAMBOREE 2/2-6

The Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP), in collaboration with the DuSable Museum of African American History and Elgin Community College, celebrates African-American History Month with its annual Winter Tap JAMboree February 2–6, featuring master classes, workshops, the Leo Harris Scholarship Auditions and performances at the DuSable Museum, Athenaeum Theater and Elgin Community College.

Winter Tap JAMboree faculty and class schedule
Broadway diva Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards of Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk and STOMP performer Lisa La Touche join CHRP Founder/Director Lane Alexander, BAM! ensemble member Zada Cheeks and Jus' LisTeN Artistic Director Martin "Tre" Dumas. Classes for teens and adults take place Saturday, February 4, 10 a.m.–4:50 p.m., and advanced workshops with La Touche and Sumbry-Edwards take place Sunday, February 5, 10 a.m.–3:50 p.m., all at the Athenaeum Theater, 2936 N. Southport, Chicago. Information is available at chicagotap.org.

Leo Harris Tap Scholarship Auditions
CHRP offers up to $15,000 in tuition awards to dancers between the ages of 12 and 18 who compete in its annual Leo Harris Tap Scholarship Auditions Saturday, February 4, 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Athenaeum Theater. These scholarships make it possible for deserving young tap dancers to attend CHRP's annual Rhythm World, the preeminent festival of American tap, this year taking place July 23–August 5, with a faculty of more than 25 master teachers/performers from around the globe.

Performances
Three performances featuring the Winter Tap JAMboree faculty as well as CHRP's resident ensemble BAM!, the Afro-Haitian Tamboula Ethnic Dance Company, The Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago, M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Mr. Taps and more take place Thursday, February 2 at 10 a.m. and Friday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago. Tickets are $15–25; visit chicagotap.org or call 773-281-1825. BAM! will also present two free hour-long lecture demonstrations Monday, February 6 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. All programming is subject to change.

About Chicago Human Rhythm Project
CHRP's 2011–12 season is supported by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Target, The Boeing Company, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The MacArthur Foundation for Arts & Culture at Prince, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Illinois Arts Council, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, The Saints, The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, The Jeanette & Jerome Cohen Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, The Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg Family Foundation, L&L Hardwood Flooring, The Service Club of Chicago, Arts Work Fund, Leo's Dancewear, The Seneca Hotel and Suites and generous individual donors.

Founded in 1990, Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) fosters social reconciliation by presenting American tap dance and contemporary percussive arts in world-class and innovative performance, education and community outreach programs. The organization's vision is to establish the first global center for American tap and percussive arts (The American Rhythm Center), which will create a complete ecosystem of education, performance, creation and community in a state-of-the-art facility uniting generations of diverse artists and the general public.

CHRP has raised more than $700,000 to support the establishment of the Collaborative Space for Sustainable Development (Working Title), which will serve as a shared and affordable education, rehearsal and administrative facility for several Chicago arts organizations.

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