This week we are joined by the force behind the Baby Laurence Legacy Project, and star of The Mars Project debuting October 4th-6th, 2024 at Fall For Dance North in Toronto, internationally renowned Tap Dance artist Brinae Ali. In this conversation we discuss balance, artistic inspiration, community impact through art and how you can support the BL…

Ian Berg is an incredible, ever rising Tap Dance artist, composer, choreographer, educator and co-founder of the Tap Dance Music Dance group Subject: Matter. In this episode, Ian helps me overcome my skepticism against jazz culture being taught in Institutions of higher learning. Donate to Subject: Matter here: http://www.subjectmattertap.com/conta…

This episode, we connect to the Tap Dance scene in Nairobi, Kenya through the co-founder of TapaTapa Tap Dance Group, Stacey Achieng and her student Eileen Musati. It’s a joyful conversation that reveals Stacey’s goal to spread the dAnCe across east Africa, and has host Travis Knights wondering how he can get in on that. Shout out to Tony Waag for …

Tap dancer Molly Smith, director of Chicago Tap Theatre's new production Can You Hear Us Now? The Queer Tap Dance Revolution, joins us to talk about the inspiration behind their latest work. The show runs June 20th - 23rd, 2024 in Chicago.Click here for tickets: https://chicagotaptheatre.com/eventsBecome a Tap Love Tour micro-producer through our P…

Today we are joined by Brazilian Tap Dancer and Podcaster, Leonardo Dias. Brazil has been hit by record breaking, devastating floods. Leonardo has made a specific call to the international Tap Dance Community for help. So let's show up.Click here to donate: https://ko-fi.com/post/Help-the-victims-of-Southern-Brazil-Flood-N4N5XQXAB…

In this episode, dancer, researcher, narratologist, and author Felix Lambert shares some insights he gained from his recently released 7 volume anthology book ‘Watch Your Step: A History of African American Dancing’. Purchase your copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CLKWDRS9?binding=paperback&qid=1712266061&sr=1-1&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbkJo…

This week Travis Knights and special guest Allie Stewart are joined by the co-founder of The Jazz Tap Ensemble, Lynn Dally. The gems that Lynn drops in this episode shine so bright. Visit https://jazztapensemblelegacy.org/ to purchase archives of her decades of work. Join our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/travisknights…

This week, Lisa LaTouche and I are Absolutely privileged to be joined by the incredible Dr. Daniel Black. He is an author and professor of African American studies at Clark Atlanta University. His books include The Coming, Perfect Peace, Black on Black and many more. In this conversation, we talk about how to reclaim Tap Dance and shed the stain of…

In this episode, we connect with Pamela Hetherington and Conner Kelly to explore the history of the Philadelphia Tap Dance scene and their upcoming inaugural Brewerytown Tap Dance Festival. Register for the Brewerytown Tap Festival at https://www.brewerytown.org/Join our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/travisknightsSubscribe to the Tap Love T…

On today’s show, we are joined by co-host Brinae Ali as she opens up some of her research process with us for her multi-year initiative, The Baby Laurence Legacy Project. Ali has curated some phenomenal guests to talk about their personal experiences with legendary Tap Dancer, Baby Laurence. Joining the conversation today is renowned Dunbar High Sc…

On today’s show, we are speaking with Sandra Seaton who is a playwright, librettist, former professor of creative writing and African American literature at Central Michigan University and the curator of the Dr. Bunny Briggs and Olivette Miller archives housed at Yale's James Weldon Johnson Archives. Our conversation spans the archives, Flournoy Mi…

This week, the podcast has been recorded in front of a live studio audience at an event called, Vernacular Spectacular, hosted at Montreal's internationally renowned Swing Dance Studio, Cat's Corner. Our guest is my teacher, Miss Swing a.k.a. Ethel Bruneau. In this conversation, we are treated to more insight on Ethel's teacher in Harlem, Mary Bruc…

Jazz legend, Dr. Barry Harris shares the secret to his connection with Tap legend Dr. Jimmy Slyde. It's an episode that all tap dancers should hear. Special thank you to Howard Rees for making this interview happen.Supplemental Music:Barry Harris - Hot HouseColeman Hawkins - Body and SoulBarry Harris and Jimmy Slyde - Just You Just MeSubscribe to t…

Pioneer and Tap Dancer, Heather Cornell turned 60! She joined Travis Knights to talk about her new album, 'Making Music Dance', and her journey in rhythm.Purchase the album here: https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/makingmusicdanceFor Information on Heather's Tap Lab Intensive, visit: http://www.manhattantap.org/Subscribe to the Tap Love Tour Youtube Channel…

In celebration of her 80th birthday, Montreal Tap Dance Legend 'Miss Swing' joins Travis Knights and Tanya Rivard on the Podcast in the second of a 2 part interview. In this episode, 'Miss Swing' aka Ethel Bruneau, shares her experience and philosophy as a Master Teacher. Check out the Tap Love Tour Youtube series 'The Interviews': https://www.yout…

Montreal Tap Dance Legend 'Miss Swing' joins Travis Knights and Tanya Rivard on the Podcast in the first of a 2 part interview. In this episode, 'Miss Swing' aka Ethel Bruneau, shares her experience touring with Cab Calloway and Pearl Bailey, along with her extraordinary beginnings in New York with her teacher Mary Bruce.Check out the Tap Love Tour…