1.5, 3, 4.5,6 omg 7 hours of tap today! No wonder I can’t feel my legs. And it ‘aint finished yet…tonight is the tap jam at Harlem jazz club.
Today was first day of classes of the week-long festival. Not able to decide which three to take, I try 5 ( including half of Guillem’s famous sand dance class).
First class was with Jérémie Champagne, one of France’s most famous (and best) tappers. Have had pleasure to see and jam with him but he hardly teaches in Paris so first class ever with him. Lots of technique working a lot on tone and fluidity. Perfect warm up for the day and we were all sweating after ten minutes.
Next, Ruben Sanchez’ flash technique class. I was slghtly scared after watching Nicholas Bros flash clips last night…but the class was great. Ruben is a wonderful and inspiring teacher (‘I know it’s hard, you know it’s hard- let’s just do it’) and the exercises and routine based on pick ups, pull backs, turns and slides were challenging butat a pace that was possible to follow with precision (as long as no drifting).
Finally take Jason Janas’ advanced class (figure it’s good to be amongst the serious!) and it’s fast and furious The warm up is capable if fast and I work out if I keep reminding myself o breathe, I can do it. Then we work on a time step he invented on the plane over from the US. It at first sight seems impossible but broken down (with riffs, pulls backs and turns) I manage the first half but don’t get the break. Then a routine at first that looks ridiculous but then is manageble (well at least every second time if never the whole thing perfectly) and fun with over the tops, spins and toe stands.
Then I realised that has left me in Maud’s upper advance class (gulp). If she is going to be a hard core as her superwoman sister Chloe (hola Chloe- miss you this year!),’I may as well just faint now’. But although it is challenging, Maud’s class let’s us breath to begin with with an impro call and response exercise (push ups as punishment for false notes) and a routine to Alicia Keys. A great class of I think all pros and so senses of humour are as ripe as the steps. I jump out for a sec to film the routine as we are still learning
As if that isn’t enough, after stretch I can’t stand to miss out on a bit of sand dancing with Guillem Alonso in the placa.
Now that’s written- time to head to Harlem!
