The Digital Collegian - Published independently by students at Penn State ARTS
[ Friday, April 15, 2005 ]

Show to highlight 'all that tap'

For The Collegian

If you've jammed out to "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley and aren't ashamed to say that you've recently downloaded some Ashlee Simpson onto your iPod, you're in luck.

"All That Tap," by Tapestry, Penn State's tap dance company, will be performing to a plethora of different songs this Sunday in its annual spring show.

Tapestry is a student-run tap organization that has only been on campus since 2001, but current president Katie Sienkiewicz (junior-advertising) said the company has really grown in the past years.

If you go
What: Tapestry presents "All That Tap"
Time:
2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Date: Sunday
Place: 132/133 White Building
Details:
Tickets are $3 for students and children and $4.99 for adults.

"Sometimes people think that tap is your regular 42nd Street -- glitzy costumes and big smiles -- but we put a lot of emotion into our dancing and use a lot of diverse music," Sienkiewicz said.

The songs being performed in the show range from newer music by artists like Janet Jackson, to older, more classical music, by Frank Sinatra and other "oldies but goodies," Sienkiewicz said.

The members of Tapestry, who practice about 10 hours a week, have one performance each semester but also perform in events like Homecoming and the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

"My favorite part of the day is going to rehearsal," Lindsay Filoseta (junior-psychology) said.

"Dancing is the perfect outlet for me to relieve my stress."

Last year's Tapestry performance was held off campus, but this year, since it will be in the White Building, the company expects more students to come and watch its show.

"A lot of people aren't aware of tap dancing," Filoseta said. "But now that it's on campus it will be easier for students to come watch."

Lauren Rubio (senior-business management) believes that tap dancing is an unappreciated form of dance and that people should give it a chance.

"If you like music you will get something out of it," Rubio said. "It's nice to have the opportunity to see your fellow students doing something unique on campus."

The company is composed of about 25 members, all of whom go through a two-day audition process at the beginning of each fall semester.

Most members have been dancing for most of their lives.

"I've been dancing since I was 2," Rubio said, adding that her favorite part of being a member of the company is that she could continue her love for music and dance in college.

Along with the group being completely comprised of student dancers, members of the company have also choreographed each of the 10 dance pieces in their performance.

"What these girls choreograph is amazing," Andrea Young (freshman-business) said.

Young said the audience should also expect a lot of energy in the performance.

"We really try to get into it and get the crowd into it," she said. "There are very different styles of tap, which is different than what most people expect."


 



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