Former Shirley Hall Bass Ricardo Christie will conclude a three-week dance and cultural exchange workship tonight with a show dubbed "Tap Explosion" at the Shirley Street Theatre. (Photo: Ricardo Christie)

Three weeks of a tap dance and cultural exchange workshop that focused primarily on the art, rhythm and movement of tap dance will culminate tonight in "Tap Explosion" -- a celebration of music and dance -- reminiscent of the shows that were staged by the late Shirley Hall Bass.

The performance at the Shirley Street Theatre will be a celebration of music and dance and will feature not just tap dance, but contemporary as well as ethnic dance, and feature a live band and guest vocalists. The workshop and show was directed by Shirley Hall Bass's former student Ricardo Christie.

"We just want to present something to the public that's really a good, wholesome show and not something that's just a recital," said Christie.

Showcased tonight at the end of the three-week process will be approximately 60 students from New Providence and Grand Bahama as well as students from Tennessee.

"We wanted to carry on her [Hall Bass's] legacy, because in having this workshop it's a cultural exchange as well, getting to know more than dance, but getting to know people, getting to know her life and getting to know this whole dance world," said Christie who trained under Hall Bass in 1989.

Shirley Hall Bass was born in Chicago, Illinois, and a resided in The Bahamas for more than 40 years a period during which she contributed to the enrichment of numerous Bahamians by exposing them to the performing arts. She was one of the choreographers to stage the independence extravaganza at Clifford Park; and served as choreographer for "The Legend of Sammie Swain" performed for Queen Elizabeth II in 1985.

Her legacy also boasts the direction and choreography of almost 200 shows and productions for various government ministries, the National Dance School and the Bahamas Dance Theatre.

Her legacy continues through the likes of former students such as Christie.

"In The Bahamas there is a need for an alternative expression of dance as it is a style that was cultivated primarily by people of black ancestry, and we have a lot of people who are very rhythmically inclined which we can see in various expressions of dance, whether it's Junkanoo, ethnic or tribal dance or even liturgical dance. The basic ability to feel or hear rhythm plays a part in all of these dance styles, therefore I felt the need to hold a workshop to illuminate the beauty of this dance style and to further promote tap dance and possibly tie it into our own ever-changing unique Bahamian culture," said Christie.

The last "Tap Explosion" of the likes of which will be held tonight was staged in 1991 at the Le Caberet Theatre (the former Britannia Beach Hotel) during which Shirley Hall Bass who designed and produced the show made history when she tap danced to Junkanoo music.

Having recently returned home after a 15-year stint with a cruise line where he served as a dancer and director, Christie said he's thrilled to be able to tap into the tap aspect of the dance art form that has always been his favorite.

"Tap has always been my favorite, and since I hadn't been doing it for a long time, coming back made me even more eager to get back into it to continue doing what I like to do. And seeing as this is my first year back, I wanted to jump in and continue what she [Shirley Hall Bass] started for us so many years back," said Christie.

During the workshop the students encompassed all elements of tap dancing, dance and musicality.

It is Christie's hope that the workshop participants that are able to take away from it, what dancers of his era were able to take away from Shirley Hall Bass, and not only be better dancers, but walk away with lasting friendships that they could tap into in their lives whatever they decide to do, whether they want to be dancers or anything else --
but just having the discipline to know that whatever they want to do that it takes a lot of work.

The presence of social media he said would allow students to hold onto the friendships more easily. He also hopes that the workshop helps participants to develop their confidence, performance skills, and talents -- and that the program sparks people to become more interested in dance.

"Tap is just one medium of this whole dance art form, and we're presenting this show at a level that's really professional. And we want people, especially the people who are able to support the arts to really assist in making the avenues possible for future dancers -- whether that means assisting or helping to build a proper theater or proper studio, or assisting with college scholarship programs as anything is possible, once it is shown that it is a viable, for lack of a better word investment. There is talent here that needs to be nourished," said the dancer.

Christie who teaches at five different schools, says he doesn't personally want to be tied down to one particular school, and likes that he can spread his knowledge as much as he can to as many people as possible.

Tickets for tonight's performance are $20.

The former Hall Bass student said going through the process to stage "Tap Explosion" has made him understand what it takes -- a lot of work, and that he's appreciated that learning curve.

"I think once it's all done, and the kids really take something from it, that's my reward. Even now after several weeks we've been together, I see a bond happening between them -- so already I've seen some good things happening. The kids are improving so I'm already happy I've done it and I only hope it can go further and maybe next year we can make it bigger."

Christie hopes people support tonight's "Tap Explosion" and take what they have to offer, with the realization that the direction they want to go in would involve dance being a bigger and better thing. "We want dance recognized as much as sports is," he said.

Shavaughn Moss, Guardian Lifestyles Editor

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