Tappin' on the West Bank

This is Heidi. She teaches an adult tap dance class on New Orleans' West Bank.

She has a small, but loyal, group of middle-aged students who meet one night a week at a New Orleans Rec Center, trying to learn this classic American dance technique.

Heidi is a professional tap dancer, performing and competing with a national, touring troupe, Jump Rhythm Dance Project.
Still, she's attempting to teach several people with little dance experience the basics of rhythm and style.

The first class night, I arrived in sneakers, thinking we would not need taps right away, but there was a collection of donated shoes to borrow. So, now I have a pair of shiny white, patent leather dance shoes with tiny straps. I have to wear little socks so the shoes don't dig into my ankles.

Aren't I the cutest with my little white shoes and socks? They do not have the big, heavy metal taps, so I make a shuffly sound instead of the loud, commanding TAP!

Here's a video of Heidi dancing to Fred Astaire's "Top Hat."

Heidi has already taught us one dance routine to a tune sung by big band crooner, Michael Buble. Last weekend, I ventured: I don't suppose there is a recital? And, of course, there is. Our class will perform at Dixon Hall on the Newcomb College campus at the end of the season.