M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Chicago’s premier tap collective, is proud to share events, classes, appearances and more scheduled for 2024. Additional 2024 events and updates may be found at MADDRhythms.com.
Members of M.A.D.D. Rhytms - Photo by Rachel Neville
M.A.D.D. Rhythms current updates and events include:
Bril Barrett Named a 2024 NEA National Heritage Fellow
Founder and Artistic Director Bril Barrett was recently named one of the National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellows. The Fellows are recipients of the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. Every year since 1982, the NEA has presented this lifetime honor in recognition of individuals whose dedication and artistry contribute to the preservation and growth of the diverse cultural traditions that comprise our nation.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy
Winter Session: Now through March 24
Spring Session: April 4 - June 16
Summer Session: July 10 - August 15
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street entrance)
https://www.maddrhythms.com/tap-academy
The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy Adult Classes for all levels Drop-In, 10 and 20 Class cards for professionals, students and seniors, too.
M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS PODCAST NETWORK
M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network includes the podcasts, “Gasps From A Dying Art Form,” hosted by former Company Member Tristan Bruns and “The Either/And Podcast w/ Bril Barrett,” hosted by Executive Director Bril Barrett.
“Gasps From A Dying Art Form” is a niche podcast for tap dancers and the dance’s relationship to history and philosophy. “Gasps” episodes range from historical research, philosophical musings, book reviews and interviews.
“The Either/And Podcast w/ Bril Barrett” is Bril Barrett doing what he does best, talking about Tap dance and how it's connected to more than you know. What happens in the Tap world is a microcosm of what's happening in the real world.
A M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS EXPERIENCE
Saturday, March 30 from 4 - 8 p.m.
PRIVATE EVENT FOR INFLUENCERS, JOURNALISTS AND BUSINESS LEADERS
RSVP and Schedule Available Here
A M.A.D.D. Rhythms Experience is your chance to really sink your teeth into who M.A.D.D. Rhythm is and what they offer the community and beyond. Ever had a curiosity for tap but was too afraid to try it? Or perhaps you didn’t have the resources readily available to you to explore the art form? Now is your chance!
This is a private event for select influencers, tastemakers, journalists, and business leaders to give you an intimate VIP opportunity to:
- Meet and greet with members of the internationally acclaimed dance company M.A.D.D. Rhythms
- Have an opportunity to sample tap and various other African diasporic dance forms
- Develop a greater understanding of the impact of tap and M.A.D.D. Rhythms throughout Chicago, the nation and the world.
- Capture incredible photos for sharing or your personal collection
- Receive discounts on future M.A.D.D. Rhythms classes
- Learn how you and/or your organization may partner with M.A.D.D. Rhythms to continue making a difference.
Attire: We want you to dance with us, so wear comfortable clothing that you can dance and sweat in. DRESS COMFORTABLE. BE READY TO DANCE!
THE ONE!” STREET DANCE SHOWCASE RETURNS
Saturday, April 27 at 7:30pm
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr.
Tickets: TBA
M.A.D.D. Rhythms will perform in one of the Midwest’s biggest and most prestigious dance shows for one night only. “THE ONE!” is presented by Hip Hop ConnXion and features performances by a variety of dance styles and talents.
HAROLD WASHINGTON CULTURAL CENTER GALA
Monday, May 20 at 6 p.m.
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms and other organizations that call the Harold Washington Cultural Center home gather for “The Culture of Soul” fundraising gala for the Center. For more information email events@HWCCChicago.com.
NATIONAL TAP DANCE DAY 2023
Friday, May 23 - Sunday, May 26
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr.
Commemorating National Tap Dance Day, M.A.D.D. Rhythms partners with Chicago Tap Theatre as Chicago Tap Allstars for a weekend of classes, tap dance footage night and a Community Tap Jam.
JUNETEENTH AND FATHER’S DAY CELEBRATION
Sunday, June 16 at 1 p.m.
Harold Washington Cultural Center Parking Lot,
2701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.
FREE
M.A.D.D. Rhythms returns with the arts partners of the Harold Washington Cultural Center and Bronzeville businesses for its annual Juneteenth and Father’s Day celebration. This afternoon celebration includes live dance, DJ and music, complimentary food, workshops, raffles, art and children’s activities.
M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS DEBUTS AT JACOB’S PILLOW
June 27 and 28
Becket, MA
Featuring dancers with wide-ranging backgrounds from all over Chicago, the company’s versatility and sense of play is a potent draw for all ages. Pillow audiences will see the full-length work A M.A.D.D. Mixtape, created and performed by Donnetta “LilBit” Jackson, which combines the rhythmic connection of Tap and Footwork into an inspiring onstage party, featuring a live DJ spinning some of hip hop and R&B’s most treasured musical gems.
CHICAGO TAP SUMMIT
Friday, Oct. 4 - Sunday, Oct. 6
Times vary by event
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Tickets: Various costs and FREE events
The premier Illinois tap dancing event of the year presented by M.A.D.D. Rhythms is the Chicago Tap Summit which follows M.A.D.D. Rhythms Day in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 1. The Chicago Tap Summit includes three days of dance, discussion and classes while celebrating the tap dance community and premiering a new M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ performance piece. In 2024, the performance is a world premiere, “To Love You, All Ways,” created by company member Andrew Carr.
CHICAGO TAP ALLSTARS “WINTER WONDERLAND”
Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m.
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms partners with Chicago Tap Theatre as the Chicago Tap Allstars celebrate the season with the return of its holiday-themed performance in commemoration of Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.
COMPANY UPDATES
Caleb Jackson to appear in Lean On Me the Musical
Encore Performance
Friday, May 17 and Sunday, May 19
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr.
Company member Caleb Jackson is in the company of Broadway in Bronzeville’s presentation of the musical Lean on Me the Musical.
Starinah “Star” Dixon on Faculty at Beat In The Feet
May 24 - 26
Monterey, Mexico
Starinah “Star” Dixon is on faculty at the annual tap dancing event in the Monterey area of the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon.
Starinah “Star” Dixon on Faculty at Floripa Tap 2024
May 29 - June 2
Florianopolis, Brazil
Starinah “Star” Dixon continues her international travels as she joins the faculty at Floripa Tap, one of the most important tap dance festivals in South America. The 2024 event hosts five days of classes, workshops, shows and various attractions open to the public.
Bril Barrett and Starinah “Star” Dixon on Faculty at Hollywood Tap Festival
June 17 - 23
The second annual Hollywood Tap Festival, sponsored by the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, connects the community with opportunity.
Bril Barrett on Faculty at Austin Soul 2 Sole
June 19 - 23
Tapestry Dance Company presents its annual festival of rhythm with the 24th Annual Soul 2 Sole International Tap Festival. This one-of-a-kind, “Austintatious” tap festival brings world renown tap artists from around the world for a soulful live reunion. A relaxed and intimate opportunity for students to look inward and upward to unpack and discover what it is to be a tap-dancing artist from many of these leaders in the field.
Starinah “Star” Dixon on Faculty at XLR8 A Tap Intensive
July 30 and 31
Dance Revel hosts XLR8 A Tap Intensive with workshops, classes and performances.
Bril Barrett is being honored as one of Chicago's “Creative Spirits” at Arts In The Dark Halloween Parade
Saturday, Oct. 19 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Downtown Chicago on State Street
Founder and Artistic Director Bril Barrett will be honored as one of Chicago’s “Creative Spirits” during the Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade. Arts in the Dark is a magical evening parade celebrating Halloween as the “artist’s holiday” and drawing together world-renowned institutions, celebrated Chicago cultural organizations, important youth programs and aspiring artists in every field. It is a dazzling production that delights an audience of 50,000 with unique floats, spectacle puppets and creative performances – all set against the backdrop of historic State Street.
Bril Barrett Speaks at the American Musicological Society Conference
November 14 - 17
Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St.
Bril Barrett speaks to the conference about Rhythm and Tap History during the American Musicological Socieity’s 90th national conference.
All programs, events and performers are subject to change.
ABOUT M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS
M.A.D.D. (Making A Difference Dancing) Rhythms, now in its 23rd year, is a phenomenal tap dance collective whose “SOLE” purpose is to spread the love and joy of tap worldwide. What started as Bril Barrett and Martin Dumas III’s formula for giving back, is a full-fledged 501 (c) 3 performing arts company, quickly gaining a reputation for representing the true essence of tap: RHYTHM! The company is composed of young, versatile tap dancers from all over Chicago. Their ages range from 17 to 48 years old, and their backgrounds are equally diverse. The one thing they all have in common is a love for “the dance.”
M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ mission is to preserve, promote and contribute to this art form called tap. They teach its history, represent its culture and advocate for its future. M.A.D.D. Rhythms use this beautiful dance/music form to make a difference in the under-served communities of this world by connecting and caring for the youth of this world. Believing that having access and options gives a child a greater chance at a positive life, M.A.D.D. Rhythms spread the joy, love, discipline and expression of tap to as many children as they humanly can!
M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ performance opportunities, in short, have included: Dance Africa Chicago, Dance Chicago, The Stars of “Dance Chicago” in Istanbul, Turkey, M.A.D.D. Rhythms Canada’s “Release Yourself” and “Great Feets of Rhythm,” Downbeats Canada’s “Embrace the Rhythm,” Miami’s Art-Deco Festival, An Expo for Today’s Black Woman, Kwanzaa Festival, The African Festival of the Arts, St. Louis Tap Festival, Boys and Girls Clubs National Conference, the Chicago Historical Society’s Summer Performance Series, performances at Auditorium Theatre with Trinity Dance and DuSable Museum’s educational theater series. They have also produced 11 full-length productions, created the annual Chicago Tap Summit and educated more than 200 students via The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy.
In an effort to continuously give back to their communities, they have also worked with many public and private schools and volunteered performances for various community affiliated organizations including A.C.E.S. (Athletes Committed to Educating Students), Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, Nikola Tesla Alternative High School for Girls, TCA Health and Nutrition Fair, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and Rainbow House.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. M.A.D.D. Rhythms is supported through FRWD (FORWARD), a program of The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) with support from Ford Foundation and Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project.
Bril Barrett - Photo by Rachel Neville
Andrew Carr - Photo by Rachel Neville
Starinah "Star" Dixon - Photo by Rachel Neville