The Chicago Tap Summit
tapsummit@maddrhythms.com
www.maddrhythms.com
Dates:
October 30 – November 1, 2009
Days and Hours:
Friday 3pm - 10 pm,
Saturday 10am – 10pm &
Sunday 10 am – 5pm
Location:
Harold Washington Cultural Center
4701 S. King Drive
Chicago, IL 60615
Media:
Power ’92 (WPWX), 95.5 (WNUA), AM1450 (WVON)
107.5 (WGCI), 96.3 (B96), 102.7 (V103), Soul 106
Chicago Defender, Afrique, Indigo, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago
Tribune, The Reader, On Tap, PerformInk, Audition News,
www.maddrhythms.com Internet Website with Sponsor links,
www.cityalert.com, www.metromix.com, www.blackvoices.aol.com,
www.nightlifemag.net , www.myspace.com, www.brilbarrett.com
Past Participants: Northern Trust, The University Of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago Park
District, Rhythm, Rage Inc., Chicago Human Rhythm Project, The
Dancing Fair, COOP’S Records, Nightlifemagazine.net, The South
Shore Cultural Center, Soul Express, Quench, Italian Soul,
Exchange Café, Brown Sugar Bakery and H.P.W. Centers For
Diabetes
Attractions:
1) Opening Sponsors, VIP, and Press Reception,
2) Master Classes, Workshops, Jam Sessions, A Panel Discussion
3) 1 youth performance featuring internationally known Tap Dancers
4) Gala Public Performances and After Party
M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Inc.
7059 S. Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60649
Phone 773-604-1899/ 773-604-1898 Fax
Sponsorship@MADDRHYTHMS.com
The Chicago Tap Summit
tapsummit@maddrhythms.com
www.maddrhythms.com
FEATURED HONOREES/INSTRUCTORS/PERFORMERS:
Dr. Jeni LeGon was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 14, 1916. She grew up in
Chicago's overcrowded Black Belt. Practicing and performing with other children, LeGon
received her first formal training from Mary Bruce's School of Dance. Earl Dancer, the former
manager of Ethel Waters, discovered LeGon and helped LeGon to be the first black woman to
sign an extended contract from MGM. In her first screen role, LeGon danced with Bill
"Bojangles" Robinson (the only black woman to do so on screen) in Hooray for Love, which also
featured Fats Waller. Her twenty-four film credits include: Broadway Melody of 1936, This Was
Paris, (1937), Start Cheering, Fools for Scandal (1938), I Can't Give You Anything But Love
(1940), Birth of the Blues, Sundown, Arabian Nights (1941), While Thousands Cheered, Stormy
Weather (1943), Hi De Ho (1945), Easter Parade (1948), I Shot Jesse James (1949) and
Somebody Loves Me (1952). LeGon married composer Phil Moore in 1943 and they co wrote
"The Sping" which Lena Horne sang in Panama Hattie. She also starred in Fats Waller's
Broadway musical, Early to Bed and took African dance lessons from Katherine Dunham that
same year. In 1953, LeGon appeared with Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte as a teacher
in Bright Road. Her next U. S. film role would not come until Snoop Dogg's 2001 film, Bones.
In the 1950's LeGon founded a school of dance and appeared in television's Amos and Andy. By
the 60's she toured with Jazz Caribe. In 1969, LeGon settled in Vancouver, British Columbia
teaching tap, point and Dunham technique. In the 1970s, LeGon worked with Troupe One, a
youth theatre group and traveled to London with the Pelican Players in the 80s. The Black
Filmmakers Hall of Fame and the National Congress of Black Women have honored LeGon. In
2002, Oklahoma City University conferred upon her a doctorate of performing arts in American
Dance. In 1999, the National Film Board of Canada released Grant Greshuk's prize-winning
documentary, Jeni LeGon: Living in a Great Big Way. Now in demand, she travels to personal
appearances with her husband, Frank.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Inc.
7059 S. Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60649
Phone 773-604-1899/ 773-604-1898 Fax
Sponsorship@MADDRHYTHMS.com
Dr. Prince Spencer was born on October 3, 1917 in Jenkinsville, South Carolina to Lottie and
Bunyon Spencer. In 1941, Spencer joined the dance troupe, The Four Step Brothers, replacing longtime member
Sylvester Johnson. The Four Step Brothers was a group that originated in the mid-1920s performing in Hollywood
films, and by 1946, was performing with Frank Sinatra. That same year, the group embarked on a six month
performance at the Parisian Le Lido, then toured Italy and Spain.
In 1947, The Four Step Brothers appeared uncredited in the film That's My Gal. The group returned to the silver
screen in 1953, appearing alongside Bob Hope in a film entitled Here Come the Girls. Throughout the 1950s and
1960s, the group became favorites of Ed Sullivan and performed on Jack Benny's television show. They also toured
Europe, performing for the Queen of England. The Four Step Brothers were awarded a Life Achievement Award
from the Dance Masters of America in 1960. Spencer continued working in Hollywood, playing bit roles in episodes
of Sanford and Son. In 1985, the group received a life achievement award for helping to break the color barrier, and
in 1988, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The following year, Spencer appeared in Eddie Murphy's
film Harlem Nights.
Dr. Harold Cromer was born in New York City, and began his 50 year career
as a tap dancer on roller skates at the Hudson Guild in Hell’s Kitchen. He made
his Broadway debut with Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman (later replaced by Gypsy Rose
Lee), and Betty Grable in Du Barry Was A Lady. Mr. Cromer later performed
around the world as a member of the well-known song and dance comedy team,
Stump and Stumpy, with James Cross. They appeared in leading theaters and
night clubs with Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Count Basie. As
well, Stump and Stumpy toured with Nat Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, the
Ink Spots, Stan Kenton, and Sophie Tucker, among others. In the late 1950’s,
Harold became the Master of Ceremonies to Rock and Roll’s The Biggest Show
of Stars, introducing such talents as Buddy Holly, Paul Anka, Bobby Darin, Fats
Domino, Chubby Checker, Frankie Avalon, Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, and
Marvin Gaye. Mr. Cromer returned to Broadway in 1978 in The American Dance
Machine as a guest soloist, which later toured to many cities in the U.S., Japan,
and Europe.
Prof. Robert L. Reed
(Founder and Producer of The Saint Louis Tap Festival) Mr. Reed was the protégé
of Maceo Anderson, a founding member of the Four Step Brothers. Three of his young
students, the St. Louis Hoofers reached the semi-finals on Star Search. He was with
Riverdance as dance captain and toured as a principle. With Incognito in Europe, Reed
was a featured artist at the Peg Leg Bates Resort and has toured with Cab Calloway. Mr.
Reed has opened for such Luminaries as Sammy Davis Jr., Jerry Lewis, Redd Foxx,
Cher, the Smothers Brothers and David Hasselhoff, just to name a very few. He is the
founder and executive/artistic director of the internationally renowned St. Louis Tap
Festival, which is now in its 18th year. Reed is also the founder of the Robert L. Reed
Tap Heritage Institute, Inc., a non-profit organization. He appears in the critically
acclaimed Peg Leg Pates documentary Dancing with the Peg. Robert hosted his own
television show in Japan named for him Robert Hall, which recently featured Quentin
Tarantino and Brittany Spears as guests. The Mayor of St. Louis, The Honorable Francis
Slay declared, July 30, 2005 as Robert L. Reed Tap Heritage Day.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Inc.
7059 S. Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60649
Phone 773-604-1899/ 773-604-1898 Fax
Sponsorship@MADDRHYTHMS.com
Ernest “Brownie” Brown (posthumously) (70-year veteran of
Vaudeville, Hollywood, Broadway and founding member of “The
Copasetics”. With his partner Charles “Cookie” Cook, he headlined
at New York’s Roxy, Radio City Music Hall, The Cotton Club,
London’s Palladium and The Latin Casino in Paris. He, also,
performed with Duke Ellington and Count Basie)
Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards
(Featured soloist in Imagine Tap, first female cast member of
BRING IN ‘DA NOISE, BRING IN ‘DA FUNK, represented America
on Superstars of Dance and often called the female version of
Savion Glover),
Bril Barrett,
(Featured soloist in Imagine Tap, RiverDance US and European
Touring Companies, The Tap Dance Kid US Touring Company, the
New York Dance School of Stuttgart, Porgy & Bess, The Jenny
Jones Show, and the Oprah Winfrey Show),
Jumaane Taylor
(listed in Dance Spirit Magazine’s 20 hottest hoofers under 20
issue, Chicago Tribunes’ Top 5 Dancers in Chicago and Leo’s
Dance Wear’s National Poster Model).
Starinah Dixon 2-time winner of The Los Angeles Tap Festival’s
Cutting Contest, featured in Dance Spirit Magazine as a dancer on
the verge
DeTour JazFunk will provide live music; Chicago’s Preeminent
Contemporary Jazz Quartet and a few surprise guests.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Inc.
7059 S. Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60649
Phone 773-604-1899/ 773-604-1898 Fax
Sponsorship@MADDRHYTHMS.com
The Chicago Tap Summit
tapsummit@maddrhythms.com
www.maddrhythms.com
Youth Performers: A youth led component includes M.A.D.D. Rhythms; comprised of
young tapdancers from all over Illinois (Ages 16-34), The M.A.D.D.
Rhythms Jr. Squad: comprised of youth from all over Chicago
(Ages 12 - 14) and the M.A.D.D. Rhythms Future Squad: Our
newest addition (Ages 8-10)
Projected
Attendance:
1000 youth (Multicultural; 70% female, 30% male); 500 to 700
(middle & high school students; urban and suburban) on Friday,
November 14th at 11 am for the special school performances; and
400 youth (multicultural; 80% female, 20% male); 5-21 (middle,
high school & college students; urban and suburban);
900 adults (multicultural parents, educators, social service
professionals, art lovers, music lovers, tap lovers, jazz lovers) for
the one evening performances featuring all of the tapdancers and
other special guests.
The masterclasses and workshops will draw 90 – 160 dancers for
the 3-day, intensive schedule.
1000 at the Gala Performance
M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Inc.
7059 S. Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60649
Phone 773-604-1899/ 773-604-1898 Fax
Sponsorship@MADDRHYTHMS.com
The Chicago Tap Summit
tapsummit@maddrhythms.com
www.maddrhythms.com
Internet:
Value: $20,000
www.maddrhythms.com, rich media site with streaming video and audio
(music & video clips); with sponsors and hot links to sponsor’s products,
services and messages
www.cityalert.com, 4 weekly email blasts,
www.nightlifemagazine.net, 4 weekly email blasts
www.metromix.com, Banner Ad
www.facebook.com, Banner Ad
www.myspace.com, Banner promotion, ticket giveaway
Radio:
Value: $30,000
1. Power 92 FM; Donnie Devoe 2pm – 6pm Monday – Friday (ticket
giveaways, 20 tickets each)
2. V103 – WVAZ FM, (50 Spots and 50Ticket Giveaways)
2. Power 92 Live Broadcasts Day of the Event
3. WNUA FM, WVON AM (100 spots and 100 ticket giveaways)
(Schedules To Be Determined)
Print Ads:
Value $20,000
Citizens News,
Indigo,
Rolling Out,
Chicago Defender,
On Tap
Chicago Reader
(Schedules To Be Determined)
Street Promo:
Value: $6,000
Event Poster
Palm Card/Mailers
Publicity:
1000
25,000
Value: $10,000
Media kit, media alerts, press releases, radio and TV interviews
Media angle: Corporate America Supports the Arts, Our Youth, and
the Preservation of an American Art Form: Tap.
M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Inc.
7059 S. Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60649
Phone 773-604-1899/ 773-604-1898 Fax
Sponsorship@MADDRHYTHMS.com
The Chicago Tap Summit
tapsummit@maddrhythms.com
www.maddrhythms.com
Corporate Sponsorship Participation
Presenting Sponsor

Presenting Sponsor Designation, Reflected in All Print Collateral and Advertising

Banner Ad on Website with Hot Link to Sponsor Site

Customized Promotions Can Be Developed (Any Additional Cost is negotiable!)

Logo on All Print Ads

Logo on 20,000 Promotional Palm Cards Via Street Promotions

Logo on 5,000 Promotional Palm Cards Via Direct Mail

Logo on 4 Weekly Email Blasts on www.cityalert.com

Logo on Event Banners

Logo on, and a Full Page, Rear Cover Ad in 1,200 Program Books

Name Tagged as Presenting Sponsor on All Paid Radio Spots (Schedule To Be
Determined)

The Right to Hang 2 Banners During the Event

The Right to Make an Announcement at the Top of the Show

Up to 20ft x 10ft Exhibit Space in the Lobby which will Include 2 to 4 6ft Tables
and 2 to 4 Chairs

30 Tickets to Performances w/ preferred seating

30 Tickets to Opening VIP Reception!
Cost: $30,000
M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Inc.
7059 S. Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60649
Phone 773-604-1899/ 773-604-1898 Fax
Sponsorship@MADDRHYTHMS.com
The Chicago Tap Summit
tapsummit@maddrhythms.com
www.maddrhythms.com
Corporate Sponsorship Participation
FULL SPONSOR

Banner Ad on Website With Hot Link to Sponsor Site

Logo on All Print Adds

Logo on 20,000 Promotional Palm Cards Via Street Promotions

Logo on 5,000 Promotional Palm Cards Via Direct Mail

Logo on 4 Weekly Email Blasts on www.cityalert.com

Logo on Event Banners

Logo on and a Full Page, Inside Front Cover Ad In 1,200 Program Books

Name Tagged as Sponsor on All Paid Radio Spots (Schedule To Be Determined)

The Right to Hang one (1) Banner During the Event

The Right to Make an Announcement at the Start of the Show

Up to 10ft by 10ft Exhibit Space in the Lobby which will Include 1 or 2 6ft Tables
and 2 Chairs

20 Tickets to Performances w/ preferred seating

20 Tickets to Opening VIP Reception!
Cost: $20,000
M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Inc.
7059 S. Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60649
Phone 773-604-1899/ 773-604-1898 Fax
Sponsorship@MADDRHYTHMS.com
The Chicago Tap Summit
tapsummit@maddrhythms.com
www.maddrhythms.com
Corporate Sponsorship Participation
PARTIAL SPONSOR

Banner Ad on Website With Hot Link to Sponsor Site

Logo on Print Ads

Logo on 20,000 Promotional Palm Cards via Street Promotions

Logo on 4 Weekly Email Blasts on www.cityalert.com

Logo on Event Banners

Logo on and ½ page ad in 1,200 Program Books

10 Tickets to Performances w/ preferred seating

10 Tickets to Opening VIP Reception!
Cost: $10, 000
M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Inc.
7059 S. Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60649
Phone 773-604-1899/ 773-604-1898 Fax
Sponsorship@MADDRHYTHMS.com
The Chicago Tap Summit
tapsummit@maddrhythms.com
www.maddrhythms.com
Corporate Sponsorship Participation
PARTIAL SPONSOR

Banner Ad on Website With Hot Link to Sponsor Site

Logo on Print Ads

Logo on 20,000 Promotional Palm Cards via Street Promotions

5 Tickets to Performances w/ preferred seating
Cost: $5, 000
M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Inc.
7059 S. Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60649
Phone 773-604-1899/ 773-604-1898 Fax
Sponsorship@MADDRHYTHMS.com
The Chicago Tap Summit
tapsummit@maddrhythms.com
www.maddrhythms.com
Corporate Sponsorship Participation
PARTIAL SPONSOR

Logo on Print Ads

2 Tickets to Performances w/ preferred seating
Cost: $1, 000
M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Inc.
7059 S. Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60649
Phone 773-604-1899/ 773-604-1898 Fax
Sponsorship@MADDRHYTHMS.com