Hey all,
Wow! What a night at Dovercourt last Saturday. Up Jumped Swing was the band (one of my favourites) and we had a special treat to top it all off. During the band’s last few songs, one of the world’s top tap dancers, Joseph Wiggan, showed up at the dance. Just as Up Jumped Swing announced their final song, the band was informed who had just shown up. Standing to the side, already tapping away to the music, Joseph was asked to jam with the band. For the next 5 or 6 songs, those of us in attendance bore witness to some of the best tap dancing I had ever seen. It was awesome! The band was clearly just as taken aback as we were. Once they had decided to finish their set, Jasper continued DJing while the rest of us watched Joseph and his friend Ron Freund go back and forth until about 2am.
What a great night!
Joseph and his sister Josette teach tap classes in Herrang, the world’s largest dance camp in Sweden, focusing primarily on Lindy Hop. In addition to being pretty good Lindy Hoppers, Joseph and Josette are currently staring in a new production by Cirque Du Soleil in Toronto.
If anyone is interested in seeing this amazing show titled “Banana Shpeel”, it is currently showing until October 9th at the Canon Theater, just south of Dundas Square on Young Street. I saw it last week and it was great. Tickets and information can be found at http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/banana-shpeel/default.aspx
Finally, Joseph’s friend Ron Freund is interested in teaching some tap while he’s here in Toronto. He’s an awesome tap dancer and we’d be fortunate to learn a few steps from him. If this is something that interests you, please let Jasper know by contacting him at well.caffeinated@gmail.com
Your friendly neighborhood Lindy Hopper,
Phil