Thursday, July 11, 2024 (6pm)
A Celebration of The American Tap Dance Foundation will honor its decades – long sharing of the joy of tap dance through its engagement of dancers, teachers, choreographers, and tap dance enthusiasts of all ages through year-round training programs for kids, teens and adults, premiere concert performances such as Rhythm in Motion, an Artists in Residence Program, a Teacher Training Program, Tap City, the annual New York City Tap Dance Festival, and numerous other preservation and public events that supported the tap community, both locally and internationally.

This special event will include the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Tony Waag, ATDF Founding Artistic/Executive Director, for his 24 years of service, leadership, and inspiration to the tap community. List of performers, presenters, and ticket link to be announced. This event is FREE and open to the public.

Beyond Category - Celebrating Duke Ellington’s 125th Birthday!
Monday, May 6, 2024 (8 -10pm)
A fun family birthday party filled with love, led by Mercedes Ellington celebrating her grandfather, Duke Ellington! Featuring the Duke Ellington Center Big Band and an amazing group of musicians, vocalists and dancers who are all "Beyond Category"! Special guest artist, the 8 time Grammy Award winner, Arturo O'Farrill. Musical Direction by "Dr. E", Eli Yamin. Presented by the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts in association with the American Tap Dance Foundation and its Executive Director, co-host Tony Waag
Peter Norton Symphony Space, Peter Jay Sharp Theatre

Get Tickets Here!

This annual event is co-produced by the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts and the American Tap Dance Foundation to commemorate Duke Ellington’s birthday. 

These events are FREE & open to the public, co-hosted by Mercedes Ellington & Tony Waag and feature performances by the Duke Ellington Center Big Band and a host of musicians, dancers and vocalists.

The Duke Ellington Statue on 5th Avenue and 110th Street in Manhattan.

Mable Lee Centennial Celebration
Big Band Dance & Costume Party Fundraiser! 

August 7, 2021 (7-11pm)
The Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center
847 N Howard Street
Baltimore, Maryland

The Mable Lee Centennial Celebration is a big band dance and costume party fundraiser benefiting Tapology's Sweet & Able Mentorship Program & The Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center. 

Tapology & The Eubie Center offer free and low cost dance education and mentoring programs to historically marginalized young people, continuing Mable Lee's legacy of mentoring, supporting and encouraging the next generation of dancers. 

Mable Lee was a singer and multi-genre dancer who embodied the beauty, grace, soul and humor of Tap, Jazz, and Lindy Hop. She was dubbed "The Queen of the Soundies" and graced the cover of Ebony in the 60s.  Mable toured extensively with Eubie Blake & his orchestra & continued singing, dancing and mentoring until she died. 

Join us as we celebrate and honor Mable Lee by paying forward to the next generation of dancers! 

Tickets: https://mablelee100.bpt.me 

Tap Masters Tap Mentors

Sunday, December 13, 2020 (2-4pm) est

Twenty years ago we presented an evening that honored our master hoofers that included tributes to Leon Collins, Bubba Gaines, Charles “Cookie” Cook, Eddie Brown, Jimmy Slyde, Charles “Honi” Coles, Steve Condos & others. Also, the late LaVaughn Robinson, the late Jimmy Slyde & the late Prince Spencer even performed.

Produced by Tony Waag, this amazing, and very emotional production was, originally premiered on Wednesday, July 11th at Tap City in 2001.

Live moderation and discussion in the chat room!

To participate visit: (LINK COMING SOON)

FREE and Open to the Public! Or pay what you want and we will consider it a donation! You can also visit: atdf.org/donate

ATDF Artistic Director Tony Waag hosts his new talk show monthly with special guests, stage stories, rare footage, new work and other live and/or online content direct from the American Tap Dance Center. TODAY, we’re showing another hour and a half of amazing appearances by Tap masters, upcoming soloists and ensembles from around the world that came and performed at Tap City over the last 19 years! Remember, review, relive and/or check it out for the first time. An amazing amount of footage, amazing amount of dancing, and an amazing legacy! Free and Open to the Public! Or pay what you want and we will consider it a donation!

Tap City Youth Ensemble (Part Two)

Saturday, November 21, 2020 (5:30 - 7:00pm est)

This episode focuses on the 14 year history of ATDF's very own youth performance ensemble with rare footage from numerous performances by the Tap City Youth Ensemble.

Live moderation and discussion in the chat room!

To participate visit: TCYE PART TWO

FREE and Open to the Public! Or pay what you want and we will consider it a donation! You can also visit: atdf.org/donate

ATDF Artistic Director Tony Waag hosts his new talk show monthly with special guests, stage stories, rare footage, new work and other live and/or online content direct from the American Tap Dance Center. TODAY, we’re showing another hour and a half of amazing appearances by Tap masters, upcoming soloists and ensembles from around the world that came and performed at Tap City over the last 19 years! Remember, review, relive and/or check it out for the first time. An amazing amount of footage, amazing amount of dancing, and an amazing legacy! Free and Open to the Public! Or pay what you want and we will consider it a donation!

Tap Divas

Sunday, October 11, 2020 (2-4pm)

Twenty years ago three artists, dancers, choreographers and pioneers in the field of Tap Dance got together and created this very special and one of a kind themed show. Produced by Tony Waag and collaboratively conceived and written by Brenda Bufalino, Lynn Dally, Sarah Petronio and director Avra Petrides, this iconic production was originally premiered on Saturday, July 14th & Sunday, July 15th at Tap City in 2001.

Live moderation and discussion in the chat room!

To participate visit: (LINK TO VIEW)

FREE and Open to the Public! Or pay what you want and we will consider it a donation! You can also visit: atdf.org/donate

ATDF Artistic Director Tony Waag hosts his new talk show monthly with special guests, stage stories, rare footage, new work and other live and/or online content direct from the American Tap Dance Center. TODAY, we’re showing another hour and a half of amazing appearances by Tap masters, upcoming soloists and ensembles from around the world that came and performed at Tap City over the last 19 years! Remember, review, relive and/or check it out for the first time. An amazing amount of footage, amazing amount of dancing, and an amazing legacy! Free and Open to the Public! Or pay what you want and we will consider it a donation!

The Great Reunion: Armstrong & Ellington

Sunday, September 20, 2020 (4:00pm - 6:00pm est)

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts in association with The American Tap Dance Foundation proudly presents this virtual concert celebrating the collaboration of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.

The dynamic duo of Mercedes Ellington and Tony Waag guide us through the history of Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington, accompanied by some of our favorite artists. There will be performances from Michael Choi, Marion Cowings, Kent Drake, DeWitt Fleming Jr., Sharon K. Janda, Glafkos Kontemeniotis, AC Lincoln, Antoinette Montague, David Ostwald, Vanda Polakova, Ty Stephens, Karen Callaway Williams, Andrea Wright, Eli Yamin, and James Zollar.

Plus, a special performance of "What a Wonderful World" from the legendary André De Shields of Hadestown.

REGISTER HERE!

A Salute to the Copasetics

Sunday, September 13, 2020 (4-5:30pm)

A tribute to the Copasetics with numerous appearances including Brenda Bufalino, Michelle Dorrance, Barbara Duffy, Deborah Mitchell, Hank Smith, Jason Samuels Smith, Tony Waag, Cartier Williams & more. Premiered on Saturday, July 9th at Tap City in 2011.

Participate by clicking on this LINK 

FREE and Open to the Public! Or pay what you want and we will consider it a donation! You can also visit: atdf.org/donate

ATDF Artistic Director Tony Waag hosts his new talk show monthly with special guests, stage stories, rare footage, new work and other live and/or online content direct from the American Tap Dance Center. TODAY, we’re showing another hour and a half of amazing appearances by Tap masters, upcoming soloists and ensembles from around the world that came and performed at Tap City over the last 19 years! Remember, review, relive and/or check it out for the first time. An amazing amount of footage, amazing amount of dancing, and an amazing legacy! Free and Open to the Public! Or pay what you want and we will consider it a donation!

Tap City 2001 - 2019 (Part Two)

Tuesday, August 18, 2020 (3-4:30pm)

TODAY, we’re showing another hour and a half of amazing appearances by Tap masters, upcoming soloists and ensembles from around the world that came and performed at Tap City over the last 19 years! Remember, review, relive and/or check it out for the first time. An amazing amount of footage, amazing amount of dancing, and an amazing legacy!

Participate by clicking on this LINK 

FREE and Open to the Public! Or pay what you want and we will consider it a donation! You can also visit: atdf.org/donate

ATDF Artistic Director Tony Waag hosts his new talk show monthly with special guests, stage stories, rare footage, new work and other live and/or online content direct from the American Tap Dance Center. TODAY, we’re showing another hour and a half of amazing appearances by Tap masters, upcoming soloists and ensembles from around the world that came and performed at Tap City over the last 19 years! Remember, review, relive and/or check it out for the first time. An amazing amount of footage, amazing amount of dancing, and an amazing legacy! Free and Open to the Public! Or pay what you want and we will consider it a donation!

Tap City 2001 - 2019

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

TODAY, we’re showing an hour and a half of amazing appearances by Tap masters, upcoming soloists and ensembles from around the world that came and performed at Tap City over the last 19 years! Remember, review, relive and/or check it out for the first time. An amazing amount of footage, amazing amount of dancing, and an amazing legacy!

Free and Open to the Public! Or pay what you want and we will consider it a donation!

ATDF Artistic Director Tony Waag hosts his new talk show monthly with special guests, stage stories, rare footage, new work and other live and/or online content direct from the American Tap Dance Center.

To register (and receive official invitation) click on this LINK

Virtual Concert: Bringing You the City of Jazz

Sunday, June 21, 2020 (4-6pm) est

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts and the American Tap Dance Foundation proudly presents a virtual concert in honor of Father's Day. Hosted by the iconic duo of Mercedes Ellington and Tony Waag, and featuring the talents of A.C. Lincoln, Frank Owens, Sharon K. Janda, Glafkos Kontemeniotis, Malik McLaurine, Dave Chamberlain, Michael Choi & Vanda Polakova, Antoinette Montague, Jason Curry, Karen Callaway Williams, Ty Stephens, James Zollar, and Marion Cowings. Music, singing, dancing, spoken-word and celebration! Free and open to the public.

Visit: decfa.org!

Happy Birthday Duke Ellington

Wednesday, April 29, 2020 (8-10pm) est

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts and The American Tap Dance Foundation presented this livestream event. It was hosted by Mercedes Ellington and featured artists Dave Chamberlain, Marion Cowings, Jason Curry, Ethan Fein, Sharon K. Janda, AC Lincoln, Antoinette Montague, Malik McLaurine, Frank Owens, Ty Stephens, Tony Waag, Karen Callaway Williams, and James Zollar.

Visit: decfa.org!

A New Tap Choreography Showcase exploring "works in progress" currently created by upcoming &
working professionals in the field. Directed and Curated by Tony Waag. Choreographers include: TBA

Tickets: $20 ($25 day of show) $10 Children, Students & Seniors ($15 day of show)

To purchase visit: REGISTER HERE!

Cracker Jazz

Sunday, November 3, 2019 (5:30-7pm)

Compositions from Duke Ellington’s 1960 Nutcracker Suite.  

Mercedes Ellington, Tony Waag and the Duke Ellington Center's Big Band conducted by multi Grammy nominated Bobby Sanabria, join together to honor this legendary icon of American Jazz. Included in the program are special appearances by jazz vocalists Sharon K. Janda, Antoinette Montague and Ty Stevens as well as tap dance performances by DeWitt Fleming, Jr., Felipe Galganni, members of the Tap City Youth Ensemble, Karen Callaway Williams and belly dancer Anna Pipoyan. 

Birdland, 315 West 44th Street

REGISTER HERE!

SACRED SUNDAY
the gospel According to Ellington

Sunday, September 1, 2019 (5:30-7:00pm)

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts, Inc. (Artistic Director/Founder: Mercedes Ellington) and the American Tap Dance Foundation, Inc. (Artistic Director/Founder: Tony Waag) present SACRED SUNDAY featuring The Duke Ellington Center's Big Band. With music from the Sacred Concert, My People and more!

Mercedes Ellington, Tony Waag and the Duke Ellington Center's Big Band conducted by Anthony Evans, join together in honor of this legendary icon of American Jazz with performances by the Sacred Sunday Gospel Choir, vocalist Jahneen Otis and tap dancer DeWitt Fleming.

Birdland, 315 West 44th Street

Visit: decfa.org

Ellington on Broadway 

Sunday, August 4, 2019 (4-6pm)

Songs from the hit musicals Play On and Sophisticated LadiesDuke Ellington Center for the Arts, Inc. (Artistic Director/Founder: Mercedes Ellington) in association with American Tap Dance Foundation (Artistic Director/Founder: Tony Waag) present the Duke Ellington Center Big Band.

Mercedes Ellington, Tony Waag and the Duke Ellington Center's Big Band conducted by Frank Owens join together again in honor of this legendary icon of American Jazz  with performances by leading vocalists and Broadway performers Marion Cowings, Ty Stephens, Allyson Tucker Mitchell and Brian Stokes Mitchell as well as special appearances by Tap dancers A.C. Lincoln and Karen Callaway Williams.

Birdland, 315 West 44th Street

Visit: decfa.org