The London Tap Dance Festival welcomed participants from across the world to Brixton for a unique celebration of rhythm tap with a weekend of classes, jams and performance.
The third annual three day event in August was run by OKR Dance – the capital’s professional tap company established in 2014 by Avalon Rathgeb – with dancers travelling from Ireland, Norway and America to take part at Brixton House.
Guest international teachers taught sessions for beginners through to professionals, and a special gala was an opportunity for the students and audience to watch renowned dancers perform choreography passed down through generations as well as new work.
Visiting teacher Josh Hilberman said: “The special thing about a tap dance festival is that you really get a multiplicity of approaches.”
He was excited to visit London to continue the oral tradition of tap, and to perform in the city in homage to the roots of the dance style which are grounded in percussive forms from the UK fused with African American styles and rhythm.
Rathgeb hopes to grow the festival and to gain funding to make the event more accessible, particularly for young people.
Watch the video below to learn more about the festival.
Read the review of the gala here.
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