The Chicago Tap Summit

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Ethelbert Richard Wheeler
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1 Dates: October 30 November 1, 2009 Days and Hours: Friday 3pm - 10 pm, Saturday 10am 10pm & Sunday 10 am 5pm Location: Media: Harold Washington Cultural Center 4701 S. King Drive Chicago, IL Power 92 (WPWX), 95.5 (WNUA), AM1450 (WVON) (WGCI), 96.3 (B96), (V103), Soul 106 Chicago Defender, Afrique, Indigo, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, The Reader, On Tap, PerformInk, Audition News, Internet Website with Sponsor links, 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

2 FEATURED HONOREES/INSTRUCTORS/PERFORMERS: Dr. Jeni LeGon was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 14, 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.

3 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 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.

4 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.

5 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 14 th 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 dancers for the 3-day, intensive schedule at the Gala Performance

6 Internet: Value: $20,000, rich media site with streaming video and audio (music & video clips); with sponsors and hot links to sponsor s products, services and messages 4 weekly blasts, 4 weekly blasts Banner Ad Banner Ad Banner promotion, ticket giveaway Radio: Value: $30, 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 1000 Palm Card/Mailers 25,000 Publicity: 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.

7 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 Blasts on 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

8 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 Blasts on 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

9 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 Blasts on 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

10 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

11 Corporate Sponsorship Participation PARTIAL SPONSOR Logo on Print Ads 2 Tickets to Performances w/ preferred seating Cost: $1, 000

Guide to the Jeni LeGon Papers

Guide to the Jeni LeGon Papers Guide to the Vanessa Broussard Simmons 2002 Archives Center, National Museum of American History P.O. Box 37012 Suite 1100, MRC 601 Washington, D.C. 20013-7012 archivescenter@si.edu http://americanhistory.si.edu/archives