Tap Passages” is the highlight of this year’s ninth annual three-day Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival, presented by the Vancouver Tap Dance Society (VTDS). This homegrown Festival, held from August 29 to September 1, is the only one of its kind in Canada and has evolved in a few short years to become one of the top four tap festivals in North America–right up there with New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Dancers and masters flock from all parts of the continent to take part in this not-to-be-missed event. These tap dance luminaries, some American, others transplanted Canadians living in the US, have participated in the Festival for years.

Legends, Chester Whitmore, Dianne (Lady Di) Walker, Brenda Bufalino, Tony Waag, Heather Cornell and rising stars Jason Janas and Michelle Dorrance are just a few of the dancers of international renown for whom this Festival has become a coming-home of sorts.

This year’s theme is deeply moving - reflecting the passages of tap from its deeply rich and nostalgic history to its exciting future. TAP PASSAGES is unique, a roster of international artists never to be repeated. This once in a lifetime standing ovation performance will feature:

· A tribute to Dr. Jimmy Slyde, one of tap dance’s treasures, who passed away in May, performed by twenty-three-year-old Jessie Sawyer, as an honoured “gatekeeper of tap.”

· A routine by master Terry Brock inspired by the exquisite dance work of Eleanor Powell. Excerpts will be revealed from an intimate interview with Peter Ford, Eleanor’s only child.

· Tasha Lawson, a hometown gal returning to perform the Ali Baba routine, once performed by Vancouver’s own 92-year-old master Dr. Jeni Legon.

· And looking further to the future …the astonishingly innovative 2010 – created under the artistic direction of Canadian-born New York Dance Master Heather Cornell - a fusion of cutting edge rhythm tap with the athleticism, sounds and images of Olympic winter sports such as curling, hockey, figure skating and downhill skiing.

The history of tap is most assuredly being preserved with youth troupe TapCo, who on Aug. 29th at the Roundhouse will unveil a 45-minute show of electrifying routines commissioned by international artists. With over 100 school and community performances under their belts, these polished young dancers are thrilled to be performing in front of such illustrious festival faculty.

The VITDF is held in Vancouver Friday, August 29 to Monday September 1,2008. Tickets to “Tap Passages”on Monday, September 1, 2 pm at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre are available at TicketMaster: 604 280-4444.

For more information about the events, times, locations and ticket prices, as well as online ticket sales, check out the website at http://www.vantapdance.bc.ca/, or call 604 253-0293.

Media contact: Sas Selfjord, 250 247- 7197, (cell) 604 649 -1816

More information, registration, brochures: www.vantapdance.bc.ca

email: tapinfo@vantapdance.bc.ca tel: 604 253 0293