The Tap Love Tour Podcast

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 Miller and Shuffle Along, the Columbia Race Resistan...

The Tap Love Tour family is expanding in a big way! On today's show we have a special guest host. One of my favorite dancers alive, Josette Wiggan, is sitting in as guest host interviewing the incomparable tap dancer, choreographer, actor, and musician, Jason Rodgers. Connect to Jason Rodgers here: https://www.jasonjrodgers.com/ Join our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/travisknights Subscrib...

This week, we are joined by critically acclaimed playwright and artistic director of New Harlem Productions, Donna-Michelle St. Bernard, for a masterclass in collaboration, art-making, theatre and storytelling. The episode opens with a tribute to the incredible Dexter Jones, R.I.P. Connect with Donna-Michelle here: https://www.newharlemproductions.com Additional audio: Tap Love Tour Podcast Episod...

This week I'm inviting you in, and sharing a central question that has been animating my work since the 2020 George Floyd protests. I got hip to this key question through the lectures of Dr. Greg Carr, but it originates from poet Sonia Sanchez. The question, or provocation is, 'How Do It Free Us?' Additional Audio: An Artist's Duty an excerpt from an interview with Nina Simone Mississippi Goddam b...

This week we are joined by the Tap Dancer, choreographer, creator, and director of Supreme Love, Jumaane Taylor. The conversation brings out and celebrates the presence that resides in the middle of the cypher, and stands at the foundation of Jazz culture. Connect with Jumaane here: https://www.jumaanetaylor.com/ Additional Audio: Duke Ellington - On The Road with Duke documentary: https://www.you...

This week we are joined by the multitalented tap dancer, choreographer, instructor Lisa LaTouche. We're in full discussion the day after receiving a Dora Award for the Legacy Tap Dance Concert presented by Dance Immersion and Canadian Stage. We talk about diversity, focusing on being in relationship and the balance of being a mother and a working artist. Connect with Lisa here: https://www.lisalat...

This week we are joined by Tap Dance icon, educator, performing artist, Roxane Butterfly to talk about the complexities and inequalities around motherhood and maintaining a career in Tap Dance. Connect with Roxane here: https://roxanebutterfly.com Join our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/travisknights Subscribe to the Tap Love Tour Podcast on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/the-tap-love-t...

This week we are joined by professor, playwright and screen writer for the Showtime Movie 'Bojangles', Richard Wesley. Professor Wesley shares his insights on the process of writing the movie in conversation with Gregory Hines, his friendship with Sidney Poitier and gives key advice for celebrating International Tap Dance Day. Join our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/travisknights Subscribe...

This week we're giving you a classic TLT interview with the incomparable Sarah Petronio. May 25th, 2022, Sarah will be releasing her memoir co-written by her daughter Leela Petronio called, "Footwork - my life in dance ...". This podcast is a celebratory throwback to one of the most influential conversations I've ever had in the DaNcE. Enjoy. Here's the link to the full interview: https://www.yout...

In this special episode of the TLT Podcast, art executive, curator, producer and all around advocate for the Black Art Scene in Canada, Timea Wharton-Suri, is turning the tables and taking over as host. In this episode, she interviews Travis Knights about his relationship with tap dance and what drives him creatively. Join our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/travisknights Subscribe to the Ta...

This week we are joined by tap dancer, choreographer, co-founder of Operation Tap, award winning filmmaker, Anthony Morigerato. Anthony shares his insights on his process in filmmaking, and opens up about the value of pursuing deeper subjects through dance. Connect with Anthony here: http://www.amtapdance.com/ Subscribe to Operation Tap here: https://www.operationtap.com/ Join our Patreon here: ht...

In this episode we are joined by producer, director, editor, choreographer, U.K. based tap dancer, Jack Evans. The conversation takes us behind the scenes of his latest short film DATELEAP, the magic that is possible through film and the potential trap of fast content on social media. Connect with Jack here: https://www.jackevanscreative.com/ Additional Sound - G Star Raw Hardcore Denim commercial...

In this episode we reveal a Big Announcement featuring Tap Dancer, Johnathan Morin. Follow Johnathan Morin on instagram @johnnymorin Join our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/travisknights Subscribe to the Tap Love Tour Podcast on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/the-tap-love-tour Subscribe to the Tap Love Tour Youtube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsSfLevc4PJTChTNkmf5GVw?v...

Today we’re joined by curator and program director of Dance Immersion, Timea Wharton-Suri and Tap Dance luminary and co-director of the Tap Symposium, Lisa LaTouche. The Legacy Series: Tap Dance Symposium takes place Dec. 3rd - 5th, 2021 at University of Toronto’s Hart House. The Tap Dance Symposium is aimed at introducing Tap Dance to the local black community in Toronto. In this episode, we brea...

Tap dance educator Barbara Duffy joins us to talk about her book 'Tap Into Improv: A Guide To Tap Dance Improvisation' available on Amazon. The holiday season is fast approaching. Make sure to order a copy for that special tap dancer in your life. Here's a link to purchase the book: https://www.amazon.ca/Tap-Into-Improv-Guide-Improvisation/dp/1977783066 Join our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.c...

In this episode, we dive into an important discussion with master teacher Heather Cornell looking to the future of Tap Dance. This episode is for teachers, dancers and musicians alike. Highly recommended. The future is bright my friends. Connect with Heather Cornell here: https://www.manhattantap.org/ Join our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/travisknights Subscribe to the Tap Love Tour Podca...

I've been straight up lying to my mentor Heather Cornell for years. In this episode I come clean to her and admit my betrayal of her trust. She then masterfully reveals exactly why she is my chosen mentor. Connect with Heather Cornell here: https://www.manhattantap.org/ Supplemental Audio: Som'thin From Nuthin - Bring In Da Noise Bring In Da Funk Lush Life - Billy Strayhorn Join our Patreon here:...

Searching For Henry Part 5 This is part 5 of our limited Tap Love Tour Podcast series ‘Searching For Henry’ where we gather pieces from different times and places in order to Re-member the prolific Tap Dance choreographer, Dr. Henry LeTang. In this episode we speak with Vermont Legislative Representative, Tap Dancer, educator and mentee of Dr. Henry LeTang, Linda Joy Sullivan. This episode is extr...

In this episode we revisit an old debate within tap dance about heels vs flats. We start with Michele Cole who shares the opinion of her mentor Dr. Henry LeTang that women should wear heels when tap dancing. With the help of our special guest Hollywood Jade, we're bringing this topic into the 21st century in order to better understand 'dem heels' and the power of femininity. Connect with Hollywood...

Today the Tap Love Tour Podcast turns 100! Much gratitude and appreciation to all the guests, to all the listeners and to all of the patrons. In this episode, host Travis Knights is canceling himself. Supplemental Audio: On To The Next One by Jay Z: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jRKsH8_OWQ Bill Robinson from 'In Old Kentucky': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrshHjPJxz8 Join our Patreon here: h...

Searching For Henry Part 4 - Michele Cole This is part 4 of our limited Tap Love Tour Podcast series ‘Searching For Henry’ where we gather pieces from different times and places in order to Re-member the prolific Tap Dance choreographer, Dr. Henry LeTang. In this episode we speak with multi-form dancer, Black and Blue alumni performer Michele Cole about the importance of being "True to Black Dance...

Searching For Henry Part 3 - Dexter Jones This is part 3 of our limited Tap Love Tour Podcast series ‘Searching For Henry’ where we gather pieces from different times and places in order to Re-member the prolific Tap Dance choreographer, Dr. Henry LeTang. In this episode we speak with the incredibly accomplished dancer Dexter Jones about his experience working with Dr. Henry LeTang and what Dr. Le...

Searching For Henry Part 2 - Reminiscing with Linette Doherty This is part 2 of our limited Tap Love Tour Podcast series ‘Searching For Henry’ where we gather pieces from different times and places in order to Re-member the prolific Tap Dance choreographer, Dr. Henry LeTang. This week we chop it up with actor, choreographer, educator Linette Doherty. In this conversation, Linette and I reminisce a...

This is part 1 of our limited Tap Love Tour Podcast series ‘Searching For Henry’ where we gather pieces from different times and places in order to Re-member the prolific Tap Dance choreographer, Dr. Henry LeTang. In this episode, host Travis Knights with guest David Cox and a special appearance by Latoya Bedeau, talking about their experience working with Dr. Henry LeTang on the set of the Showti...

This week we are joined by multi-form dancer, choreographer, co-founder of Project Convergence, and resident artist at the American Tap Dance Foundation, Vikas Arun. We discuss how to engage in cross-cultural artistic practice with respect and integrity. Connect with Vikas here: https://www.vikasarun.com/convergence Supplemental Audio: Terence McKenna https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA_Dg1A2s68 GH...