Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Classic Forums Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Customer Service Advertise With Us Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map Email Story to a Friend January 13, 2007 Putting their happy feet forward By Amy Orndorff Special to The Washington Post WASHINGTON — After seeing the movie "Happy Feet," did you dance out of the theater? Like Mumble, do have have trouble keeping your toes from tapping — even in school? If so, you're not the only one inspired by the tap-happy penguin. At the Knock on Wood Tap Studio in Silver Spring, Md., kids are learning to shuffle, dig and brush just like Mumble. "When you are tap-dancing it is like an electric pulse going through your body," said Nathan Cordes, 12. "You feel good, like you can go anywhere with just your feet." Nathan is one of 30 dancers in the group Tappers With Attitude, which practices at Knock on Wood and performs around the Washington area. Recently, the group danced at a local movie theater for an audience that had come to see "Happy Feet" on the screen. The movie "is like real life," said dancer Jewel Galbraith, 13. "A long time ago people didn't really think of tap-dancing as an art form. But now people are realizing that it is — like in the movie when (the penguins) realize that tap-dancing is what saved them." Advertisement Tap-dancing originated in the late 1800s when groups of immigrants would get together to show off their traditional dances. The different dance moves started blending together, and tap-dancing was born. Tap-dancing was popular in movies of the 1930s and '40s, including several featuring child star Shirley Temple. "Mary Poppins" and "Happy Feet" continued this tradition. Dominique Evans has been tap-dancing for six years. "I started when I was about 4," she said. "I think I did it because I have seen so many movies about tap, and I wanted to try." As the "Happy Feet" penguins showed, it's possible to tap-dance to almost any type of music. Tappers With Attitude dancers enjoy jazz, hip-hop, Latin and go-go music. Sometimes they even sing along. One way the group learns rhythms is by singing the alphabet to those rhythms. The dancers spend hours each week practicing, but no matter how tired their toes become, it's worth it, they say. "You should really definitely try it," Jewel urged. "It is something anyone can do, and it's lots of fun." Main Headline Did you know? A 100-pound person burns 135 calories with 30 minutes of aerobic, ballet or modern dance. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Online Casino Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary