Herbert Feschter Management, in collaboration with Standing Ovations, will be hosting Tap Reloaded, an explosive, humorous variety show which combines international tap dance acts, acrobatics, comedy and entertainment at the highest level, between April 17 and 18 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta.
Standing Ovations are the organisers responsible for spectacular shows such as Masters of Dirt, the Shaolin Monks, Swan Lake, Nutcracker and Cinderella On Ice, to mention but a few. Tap Reloaded, together with its cast of internationally-acclaimed tap dancers, are taking the world of dance entertainment by storm filling up some of the largest of theatres and arenas worldwide and attracting millions of patrons from all corners of the globe.
For more information on the event call 7955 7988 or send an e-mail to info@standingovations.com.mt.
One may also purchase tickets online through the MCC website, or by calling the MCC booking office:2559 5750/1; for Gozo bookings: 2155 8266/7981 5541.
www.standingovations.com.mt
Performers' brief description
The following is a brief description of the artistes who will be performing during the April shows at MCC:
Pascal Hulin is the director of Tap Reloaded. He started his career in Paris as a trumpeter and played in big bands with musicians of the Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington orchestras. Having had an extensive training in performing arts at the same time, he finally became a tap dancer. Mr Hulin has appeared in most European jazz clubs, at the famous Paris Olympia, and in many TV-programmes.
Dorel and Costel Surbeck are 12-time tap dance world champions. They have performed on many famous international stages such as the Off-Broadway's Variety Arts Theatre, NYC, the Theaterhaus Stuttgart, the Olympisches Dorf inTurin, and in France and Switzerland. The two brothers are regularly invited to appear in television shows in France, Switzerland and Germany.
Fabrice Martin completed his education in tap dance, jazz, and Latin American dance in Lausanne/Switzerland. In England, and the US, he worked together with many famous choreographers, and continued on to become a dance teacher in 2003. He is frequently invited to perform his solos all over Europe on TV shows.
TMC (Simon Watts and Andrew Cesan) go by the name of Two Man Crew. They both have been dancing together as a duo for 10 years and have won numerous dance competitions individually, and as a duo in both tap and hip-hop.
Konstantin and Viktoria Nevretdinov: Mr Nevretdinov invented the art of tap dancing on his hands, and is the only artist worldwide performing this act. For his performance, this Russian dancer invented a very special Hand and Shoe Ware. His number is full of acrobatic elements, and it took him eight years to finish completely before performing it. Together with his partner, Viktoria, they combine tap dance with acrobatics and a jump rope.
Lukas Weiss is one of the most famous dancers in Europe. His choreographies are a mixture of comedy, juggling, and tap. He developed his very personal style and created a new way of tap dance. In 1998, he developed a great solo number which combined tap dance and juggling. This opened the doors to perform on international stages including India and the US. Since then, he has been a star guest in many festivals.
The Matthew Clark Dancers: Mr Clark is the director of the Clark Academy of Performing Arts in Buffalo, New York. This brilliant choreographer's students have won the world championships of tap a total of 10 times with their spectacular numbers. They have also competed and won the world champion title with their beautiful jazz technique as well. This group of amazing dancers hail from Canada and the US.
Tap and Tray: These international tap stars showcase a variety of styles, from ferociously fast paddle-and-roll rhythms to languid, elegant Soft Shoe, to fiery a cappella counterpoint. From first taps to last, these artistes captivate the audience with thrilling, humorous, unforgettable performances. Charles "Honi" Coles and James "Buster" Brown, and tap guru Brenda Bufalino. Together they have worked with Bufalino's International Tap Dance Orchestra in Germany and New York, Yogo Pausch's Dream Drummer Percussion Big Band and in the funk tap show Funked Up.
Lee Howard (performer, choreographer, instructor), referred to as the "Tap Whiz Kid" by Dance Spirit magazine, represents the new generation of tap dancers. Mr Howard is from Chicago, Illinois and began dancing at the age of 10. He joined MADD Rhythms Tap Company in 2001 under the direction of Bril Barrett and Martin "Tre" Dumas III until 2008 when he embarked on his solo career.