Check out this tap video and interview with Jason Samules Smith!
Tap Dancing was born in the U.S.A during the 19th century through the fusion of several ethnic percussive dances, primarily African tribal dances and Scottish Clog dances. Tap dance as we know it today didn’t emerge until the 1920s, when taps were nailed or screwed onto shoe soles. According to the producer Leonard Reed, throughout the 1920s “there wasn't a show that didn't feature tap dancing. If you couldn't dance, you couldn't get a job!”. Musicals all featured tap dancers, whose names often appeared on the many marquees that illuminated New York's Broadway, stars such as Fred Astaire. Tap dancers have continued since then to stretch the art form, dancing to a wide variety of music and improvising new styles. The lively, rhythmic tapping makes the tap performers much more than just a dancer, it also makes them a percussive musician.
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Tap, the dance of sound. To a tapper their most important tool is their shoes. At Gabie’s we offer our tappers a selection of shoes that will help them grow both as a dancer and a sound master. From the inexpensive Jelly Tap ($19.50) for little one’s just starting, to the Mary Jane for those needing a good quality tap but in an affordable shoe to the new high end So Danca 810 built up shoe for the competitive dancer. We also have added two new shoes this season including Bloch’s slip on boot. This season also welcomed lots of Tap Gift Wear! Finally cards, posters, lanyards and more in Tap. Needing screws or new laces. We now carry Tap Shoe Kits perfect to keep in your dance bag incase of a missing screw or if your shoes are in need of a little tightening. If you’re a tapper make sure to tap your way into Gabie’s Boutique for all your tapping needs.
