M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Chicago’s premier tap collective, continues its 22nd year with summer performances celebrating Juneteenth and Chicago Dance Month as well as announcing its Night Out in the Parks and Tap Jam dates and more. Additional 2023 events and updates may be found at MADDRhythms.com.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms current updates and events include:
CHICAGO ARTS RECOVERY GRANTEE
M.A.D.D. Rhythms was recently announced as one of 77 grantees of Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events’ “Chicago Arts Recovery Program,” providing $10 million in project grant funding to aid local arts organizations still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. This new program, combined with DCASE’s annual “CityArts Program'' providing $6.5 million in general operating support, totals $16.5 million in direct support to Chicago arts nonprofits in 2023 — the largest in DCASE’s history. The new “Chicago Arts Recovery Program” supports marketing and audience development, facilities, technology, planning and workforce development for nonprofit arts organizations.
CLASSES
M.A.D.D Rhythms Tap Academy
Summer Session: July 5 - August 10
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street entrance)
The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy returns in July with “Grown & Sexy” for adults and more. Registration is available now for adults and professionals. Classes are offered in person and are taught by Bril Barrett, Starinah “Star” Dixon and members of M.A.D.D. Rhythms.
COMMUNITY TAP JAMS
- Friday, June 9 at 8 p.m.
- Friday, July 14 at 6 p.m.*
- Friday, Aug. 11 at 6 p.m.*
Hosted by Bril Barrett and members of M.A.D.D. Rhythms professional company
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street Entrance)
Tickets: FREE
In-Person and streamed LIVE on M.A.D.D. Rhythm’s YouTube channel,
Community Tap Jams are free and open to the public celebration of Tap. Community Tap Jams, encourage members of the community to discover Tap or to improve their skills through paying homage to the hoofers of old and the traditions they have set and helping individuals learn to create, communicate and express themselves. Community Tap Jams is a unique event involving members of the M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ company, guest artists and includes live musicians.
* As part of Night Out in the Parks at West Pullman Park (July 14) and Homan Square Park (Aug. 11).
M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS PODCAST NETWORK
MADDRhythms.com and all major listening platforms
M.A.D.D Rhythms continues the second season of it's M.A.D.D. Rhythms Podcast Network which includes the podcasts, “Gasps From A Dying Art Form,” hosted by Technical Director 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.
2023 FUNDRAISER
Support M.A.D.D. Rhythms
M.A.D.D. Rhythms continues its journey as Chicago’s premier Tap organization. The Company is poised to continue on its upward trajectory, which continues with a fundraising campaign with the goals of improving its studio, bolstering the community tap dance programs, paying the dancers an equitable wage and supporting its Tap Academy classes with this fundraiser.
CHICAGO DANCE MONTH KICK OFF CELEBRATION
Saturday, June 3 from 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Navy Pier’s Lake Stage, 600 E. Grand Ave.
Tickets: FREE
Chicago Dance Month kicks off with an opening celebration featuring a dynamic mix of performances from companies and artists that span genres and countries including M.A.D.D. Rhythms. Audience members are encouraged to bring a blanket and have a picnic while enjoying the performances. Additional performances by Ajumma Rising, Center of Peruvian Arts, Chicago Korean Dance Company, Hedwig Dances, MOMENTA Dance Company and Surabhi Ensemble.
PUPPET TAP BOP!
- Sunday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m. (public workshop), 7 p.m. (performances)
- Sunday, July 9 at 5:30 p.m. (public workshop), 7 p.m. (performances)
- Sunday, Aug. 13 at 5:30 p.m. (public workshop), 7 p.m. (performances)
Fred Anderson Park, 1629 S. Wabash Ave.
Tickets: FREE
Under the direction of Chicago musician and composer Fred Jackson, Puppet Tap BOP! tells a story in three parts over three dates about the rhythm in nature found by plants, animals and people via harmony and discord. M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ Andrew Carr and Ashton Carter provide percussive accents to the music and keep the rhythm and are joined by Puppet Wonder Wagon helping the audience visualize the movement and motivation of improvised music and Fred Jackson and The Heliacal Rising of Sothis with the melodic and cacophonous underlying songs that carry the ensemble through the pageant captured and displayed live by Jazz Occurrence painter Lewis Achenbach. Brought to you by Night Out in the Parks, supported by the Mayor’s Office and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Birdhouse Inc. and the Fred Anderson Park Advisory Council.
NIGHT OUT IN THE PARK PERFORMANCE AND TAP JAMS
- Friday, July 14 at 6 p.m. - West Pullman Park, 401 W. 123rd St.
- Friday, August 11 at 6 p.m. - Homan Square Community Center Park, 3559 W. Arthington
Tickets: FREE
As part of Night Out in the Parks from the Mayor’s Office and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, M.A.D.D. Rhythm hosts a community Chicago Footwork/Tap Jam and a performance. Donnetta Jackson will create, choreograph, produce and perform in a full-length, staged work titled "A M.A.D.D Mixtape". This show will be the perfect example of African diasporic lineage and the rhythmic connections of Tap and Footwork. Combining the two dance forms into one presentation is the perfect way to show the inspiration of one on the other and vice versa. The show will transport the party from the club to the stage and bring the audience along for the choreographic ride. Some of Hip-hop and R&B's most treasured gems will provide the musical backdrop as a live DJ spins on stage. Created and directed by Donnetta Jackson, produced by M.A.D.D. Rhythms with assistant director Davon Suttles including choreography by Donnetta Jackson with additional choreography by Starinah “Star” Dixon, Andrew Carr, Caleb Jackson, Ashton Carter and Bril Barrett. Joining M.A.D.D. Rhythms are guest performers:Creation Chicago and DJ DeeJayd9_3.
JUNETEENTH & FATHER’S DAY CELEBRATION
Sunday, June 18 at 1 - 3 p.m.
Harold Washington Cultural Center Parking Lot
2701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.
Tickets: FREE
M.A.D.D. Rhythms returns with the arts partners of the Harold Washington Cultural Center and Bronzeville businesses for its annual Juneteenth celebration. This afternoon celebration includes live dance, DJ and music, complimentary food, workshops, raffles, art and children’s activities. Featuring: Broadway In Bronzeville, Dorothy Jeanius S.T.E.A.M. Institute, Sammy Dyer School Of The Theatre, Move Me Soul, Creation Chicago Footwork, The Happiness Club and others..
M.A,D.D. RHYTHMS IN “THE BIG BANG THEORY: MOVEMENT THEORY + THE BLACK DANCING BODY” BY THE CHICAGO BLACK DANCE LEGACY PROJECT AND THE REVA AND DAVID LOGAN CENTER FOR THE ART’S ART ON THE MART FILM
Beginning July 6
ART on THE MART
THE MART, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza
Tickets: FREE
Starting July 6, the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, a multi-year initiative housed at The University of Chicago's Logan Center for the Arts that celebrates the historic impact of Black dance in Chicago and beyond, debuting a new time-based work featuring its cohort of 10 stellar dance companies including M.A.D.D. Rhythms for ART on THE MART. ART on THE MART is presented in partnership with Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), is an innovative digital art project that transforms a Chicago architectural landmark into a larger-than-life canvas, spanning over 2.5 acres of THE MART along the city’s Riverwalk.
DANCE AFRICA CHICAGO’S “LINEAGE”
August 11 - 13
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. 915 E. 60th Street
Tickets: Muntu.com
M.A.D.D. Rhythms joins Muntu Dance Theatre for the 2023 Dance Africa Chicago weekend that includes a student matinee, “LINEAGE” concert and workshops.
DANCE FOR LIFE
Saturday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.
Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B Wells Dr.
Tickets: ChicagoDancersUnited.org
Chicago Tap Allstars (M.A.D.D. Rhythms and Chicago Tap Theatre with other Tap artists) make its Dance for Life debut with the 2023 Dance for Life performance. Dance for Life is a one-of-a-kind annual performance and benefit event that has showcased nearly 45 Chicago-based dance companies, as well as numerous choreographers, artists and designers, throughout the past 32 years. The celebratory performance fuels The Dancers’ Fund and those who participate graciously donate their time, energy and artistry. In 2023, Dance for Life returns to the Auditorium Theatre to carry forth the founding principles of Dance for Life—compassion and service—while honoring the vibrancy of Chicago’s dance community. The celebratory performance will be followed by the After Party. In addition to M.A.D.D. Rhythms, other artists include BOOM CRACK! Dance Company, Giordano Dance Chicago with Giordano II and members of South Chicago Dance Theatre, Hiplet Ballerinas, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, freelance performers Joseph Massarelli and Riho Sakamoto, Moonwater Dance Project, Muntu Dance Theatre, and, for the finale, choreographer Randy Duncan.
DANCE CHANCE
Monday, Aug. 21 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street Entrance)
Tickets: $3
M.A.D.D. Rhythms partners with DanceWorks Chicago for an August edition of Dance Chance, a one-hour event designed to offer opportunities for choreographers to show their work informally, create a forum for dialogue among artists and build an audience for dance. Inspired by the concept of open-mic night, Dance Chance is held once a month and features three choreographers chosen by chance, each of whom has a 15-minute time slot to share their work. To round out the hour, the final 15-minute segment is a moderated meet-the-artist session providing an opportunity for choreographers to discuss their work and process as well as time for the audience to ask questions. At the end of each Dance Chance, the next trio of participants is chosen from names submitted by choreographers in attendance.
CHICAGO BLACK DANCE LEGACY PROJECT: METAMORPHOSIS
Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m., gates open at 5 p.m.
Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Road, Highland Park
Tickets: Ravinia.org
M.A.D.D. Rhythms joins with other Chicago dance companies as part of the Ruth Page Festival of Dance at Ravinia. Additional companies include Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center’s Hiplet Ballerinas, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, The Era Footwork Crew,Forward Momentum Chicago, Joel Hall Dancers, Move Me Soul, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, Najwa Dance Corps and Praize Productions.
CHICAGO TAP SUMMIT 2023
Friday, Sept. 29 - Sunday, Oct. 1
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 coincides with M.A.D.D. Rhythms Day in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 1. The 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.
WINTER WONDERFEST
Sunday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.
Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Tickets: TBA
M.A.D.D. Rhythms partners with Chicago Tap Theatre again as the Chicago Tap All-Stars celebrates the season with a special holiday-themed performance in commemoration of Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.
COMPANY UPDATES
Davon Suttles in Pivot Arts’ “The Memory Place”
Thursdays - Sundays, June 1 - 11
The Edge Theater, 5154 N. Broadway
Company Member Davon Suttles will perform in “The Memory Place,” a multi-arts experience about cultural memory and hidden. The performance is both a celebration and living monument of collective memories from groups that have too often been left out of the public narrative about our collective past.
Sterling Harris’ “Synesthete” Premieres with Chicago Tap Theatre
June 8 - 11
Choreographed and curated by Sterling Harris
The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Ticket Prices: $25 - $40
M.A.D.D. Rhythms Company Member and Chicago Tap Theatre's Artistic Associate Sterling Harris curates an evening-length production of new work for the conclusion of Chicago Tap Theatre’s 20th Anniversary season.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms at Dance/USA Conference in Atlanta
June 13 - 16
Sponsored by See Chicago Dance, M.A.D.D. Rhythms company members will attend Dance/USA presents the Dance/USA 2023 Conference as cohorts of the organization. The theme of the Conference is EMERGE | BECOME | MOVE. The convening will offer strategic, values-based, energizing, visionary ideas that speak to the needs of the dance ecosystem. As the dance community continues to navigate the current realities of today and the impact of the past several years on their work and lives, the conference will acknowledge where the community has been, where they are today and where they intend to go.
Starinah “Star” Dixon on Faculty at The Intensive in Concord, New Hampshire
June 26 - 30
Founders Derick Grant and Aaron Tolson host a week-long Tap event for advanced dancers with Starinah “Star” Dixon on faculty.
Dreams Dance Academy in St. Charles Hosts Starinah “Star” Dixon for Workshop
Tuesday, July 11
Starinah “Star” Dixon will be an instructor for a Dreams Dance Academy workshop, with students from across the Fox Valley area including, St. Charles, Geneva, Elburn, Campton Hills, West Chicago, South Elgin and Batavia.
Starinah “Star” Dixon on Faculty at Tap Music Project’s Chicago Summer Intensive
July 18 - 23
Sarah Reich's Tap Music Project includes Chicago as part of its international tour of summer intensives including Mérida, Yucatán, Toronto, Canada and Chicago in the United States. Starinah “Star” Dixon is part of the Chicago faculty for the intensive.
Starinah “Star” Dixon and Bril Barrett teach and perform at Hollywood Tap Fest
July 28 - 30
M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ members participate in the first Hollywood Tap Fest, produced by The Debbie Allen Dance Academy and The Chloe and Maud Foundation. This summer offering includes classes and performances.
Starinah “Star” Dixon and Case Prime on Faculty at VOICE Summer Dance Intensive at Expression Dance Studio in Westmont
July 28 - July 30
Expression Dance Studio presents its annual VOICE Summer Dance Intensive with Starinah “Star” Dixon and Company Member Case Prime on faculty. VOICE Summer Dance Intensive gives dancers an opportunity to explore the use of their bodies as an expression of their inner-voice offering classes in the style of Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical and others.
Davon Suttles in Rhythm Street Movement’s “The Storyboard Experience”
Thursdays - Sundays, July 31 - August 5
Eleve Performing Arts Center, Bloomington, Minnesota
Company Member Davon Suttles will be in Rhythm Street Movement’s “The Storyboard Experience.” This week-long immersive tap dance intensive includes interactive classes, globally celebrated teachers and choreographers, live musician rehearsals and an original live show, created by Ricci Milan and Rhythm Street Movement.
Starinah “Star” Dixon Joins Faculty for Utah Tap Fest 2023
August 3 - 5
Starinah “Star” Dixon heads to Highland, Utah to be on faculty for the Utah Tap Fest 2023.
Bril Barrett on Faculty at OKC Tap Fest
September 23 - 24
M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ Bril Barrett will be on faculty at the OKC Tap Fest this fall.
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 22nd 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 now, in its 21st year, 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 45 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, and DuSable Museum’s educational theater series. They have also produced ten 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 and FRWD (FORWARD), a program of The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) with support from Ford Foundation.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms presents "A M.A.D.D. Mix Tape" as part of the Night Out in the Parks this summer. Photo from the 2022 Chicago Tap Summit, created, directed and choreographed by Donnetta “LilBit” Jackson featuring M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Creation, Ayodele and DeejayD9_3. photo by Theon Reynolds
M.A.D.D. Rhythms presents "A M.A.D.D. Mix Tape" as part of the Night Out in the Parks this summer. Photo from the 2022 Chicago Tap Summit, created, directed and choreographed by Donnetta “LilBit” Jackson featuring M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Creation, Ayodele and DeejayD9_3. photo by Theon Reynolds
M.A.D.D. Rhythms presents "A M.A.D.D. Mix Tape" as part of the Night Out in the Parks this summer. Photo from the 2022 Chicago Tap Summit, created, directed and choreographed by Donnetta “LilBit” Jackson featuring M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Creation, Ayodele and DeejayD9_3. photo by Theon Reynolds
M.A.D.D. Rhythms presents "A M.A.D.D. Mix Tape" as part of the Night Out in the Parks this summer. Photo from the 2022 Chicago Tap Summit, created, directed and choreographed by Donnetta “LilBit” Jackson featuring M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Creation, Ayodele and DeejayD9_3. photo by Theon Reynolds
