Tip Top Tap

When asked to picture a dance company, the first image that comes to mind is most likely pointe shoes and pink tutus, but the world of dance continues to evolve. Pushed forward by dancers and choreographers such as Alvin Ailey and Alonzo King and companies such as MOMIX, dance is on the cusp of becoming mainstream. Dorrance Dance will surely help propel the art form into the 21^st century. Their performance  of ETM: Double Down in Omaha this week was nothing less than spectacular. With a unique style supported by not only instruments but vocals as well, Dorrance Dance is irresistible.

Founded in 2011 by Michelle Dorrance, Dorrance Dance is a tap dance company based out of New York. With casual, non-matching dress, drums, piano and a stand up bass, Dorrance Dance is unlike any other dance company. Tap is the most percussive of dance styles so their use of drums is natural. They also utilize original tap “instruments” designed by Nicholas Van Young. These instruments are hard to describe. Programming allows the sounds emitted to range from melodic to percussive so that when a foot hits the board you never know what sounds might come out. Sort of a modern day piano pad. Robert Loggia and Tom Hanks would have fit right in.

This practically goes without saying, but the dancers are incredibly talented. Their legs have got to be strong enough to crush cans – and not a soda can but a good, solid can of green beans. There are times when the auditory clues make it clear that the dancers are moving their feet but it is so fast that it is nearly impossible to follow the movements with the eye. The dancers make it look easy but the opposite is true. Even during quieter, slower passages, the choreography pulses with energy. It is hard to fathom the amount of mental and physical effort it must take to recall and perform all of the different steps and combinations.

All this to say, even if you usually find it hard to connect with dance as an art form, Dorrance Dance will change your mind.

Check it out: