Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers. Singin' in the Rain, and Anchors Aweigh. What do all of these have in common? Tap Dance! Many consider (rather incorrectly) that tap dance is a dying art form, and one that only appeared on stage and in film in the early 1900s. But did you know that tap has an over 400 year history that began when enslaved Africans were brought over to America? Or that it has influences from the Americas, Europe, and Africa? Or that aside from jazz, it's the sole truly American art form? In this class, we will trace the origins of tap dance through an African and African American perspective, watching clips of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (aka the "Mayor of Harlem"), John Bubbles, the Nicholas Brothers, Honi Coles, Buster Brown, Chuck Green, and Gregory Hines. We'll "tap" into the resurgence of tap that began in the 1980s, looking at the American Tap Dance Orchestra, Brenda Bufalino, Dianne Walker, Sam Weber, and Savion Glover. We'll take a detour to Broadway to see Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk, we'll look at the first ever youth tap ensembles, see how South African gumboot, American step traditions, and West African drumming mesh with tap's percussive elements, and catch a glimpse of the most cutting-edge tap that's out there (honing in on Dorrance Dance and the Syncopated Ladies). You will emerge as a walking, talking percussive instrument (what, you thought we wouldn't teach you a step?!) and with a better understanding of American arts and culture. Come shuffle with us! Guaranteed to leave with some radical, rhythmical skills.