The Peggy Spina Tap Co. played with rhythms, each other and the audience in “…you are the music…” on March 2nd and 3rd in the brilliant sounding Spina Loft on Prince Street. Although every seat in the Spina Loft is close enough to watch the spirited tap dancer’s feet, don’t expect to be able to see where all the sounds come from. In fact, the Spina Loft is so cozy; it feels as if there is a personal tap concert taking place. The Peggy Spina Tap Company is a troupe of multi-aged, though all youthful, tap dancing divas who obviously enjoy working together.
Spina’s background in the New York dance scene is extensive. After taking part in the New York City modern dance world for 20 years, Spina was re-inspired by mentors like Buster Brown and started her tap company 25 years ago. A healthy sampling of ‘dancey’ moves in each piece gives the concert an eloquent flair; evidence of her modern dance background. However, the concert never looses sight that the tapping is the main event. At the end of the performance Peggy apologizes to the live musicians, the Joel Forrester Quartet, and tells her dancers, “…you are the music…”
Each one unique and personable, Spina’s dancers are so at ease as they dance, they look like they could be having a conversation, chewing bubble gum and crossing the street in heavy traffic all while executing their complicated footwork. From the up-tempo beginning to the syncopated middle, to the rip-roaring end, these cool ladies, literally, never miss a beat.
The premier piece of the evening, “Laura and the Eights,” dancer Laura Coleman, epitomizing the strength of the female hoofer, leads the company in exchanges of 8 counts. There are plenty of edge-of-your seat rhythms and pleasant smiles for your enjoyment.
As if the dancers weren’t enough, the music for the evening is all original work by the Joel Forrester Quartet. Their stylings are not your typical jazz band doing their own thing, instead they face the dancers and partner their movement, letting the dancer’s tap shoes be the choir and the soloists.
A ride of fun, “Jam” furthers the relaxed, upbeat feel of the evening. Even the audience was dancing along to that one.
In a meditative tap piece called “Evelyn’s Dream.” dancers circle the stage in purple dresses. The mood is contemplative, a mood usually left for genres such as modern dance. However, Spina does not hesitate to put tap sounds to this mood with success.
“Stop the Music” gives us pullbacks, one footed wings and kept right on moving until the end. The dancers moved like firecrackers in their red outfits with Spina’s signature ball heel movements and leg swishes.
“After You Joel” introduced the dancers onto the scene individually, as if entering a party in summertime on the Lower East Side. With peasant tops made of similar fabrics and each seeming to match the dancer’s personality, it is easy to imagine the dancers having the fabric laid out before them and told to design their own top. This piece is very fast paced with plenty of Charlie Chaplainesque and toe stand steps.
“Where To?” begins with acapella tappers. After that, dancers shout at Joel, perform pullbacks and intricate footwork, flying around the floor until the piece ends.
Finally we meet Peggy Spina herself. She introduces the dancers, the band, and the finale piece, “Laura.” Choreographed by Buster Brown, “ Laura” closes the show in a wild hoof-down rumble, a tribute to those gone before.
The Peggy Spina Tap Co. presents
“…you are the music…”
Friday March 2nd, 6:00 and 8:30pm
Saturday March 3rd , 6:00 and 8:30pm
The Spina Loft
115 Prince Street