THE 9th INTERNATIONAL FEET BEAT TAP FESTIVAL
– A melting pot of tap dancers and musicians.
Theme of the year: A Tribute to Tap Legends.
The 9th International Feet Beat Festival offered a week full of tap, classes closely linked to tap and a whole lot more excitement.
The Festival at a glance:
PART I -- AUGUST 1-4 in HELSINKI
- Aug 1 Tap Jam at Jagellonica
- Aug 1-4 Intensive Courses and Workshops, from beginners to advanced: Tap, Body Percussion & Gumboot Dancing at Helsingin Tanssiopisto
- Aug 2 FEET FUTURE international tap concert at Gloria theater
- Aug 3 BEAT CITY masters tap concert at Gloria theater
PART II -- AUGUST 5-8 in Karis/Karjaa
- Aug 5-8 at Västra Nylands folkhögskola (VNF
-college):
Intensive training program for intermediate and advanced/professional level: Tap, Vernacular Jazz, Lecture, Discussions and more - Tap Show on Sunday August 7 at Karis Tryckeri theater
OFF PROGRAM in Helsinki:
- Saturday July 30 at 10.30, Tap performance on the open stage of the Esplanade park.
- Aug. 9-10 : The "real" offprogram!
Festival locations
HELSINKI CITY, Part I and off program
In August Helsinki, Finland's capital on the Baltic Sea, still enjoyed mellow temperatures (22°C/ 72°F) and sunlight almost around the clock.
Classes were held within a very short walking distance to the market square, and the shopping district as well as the Helsinki harbor where ferries leave for the nearby islands or even Stockholm and Tallinn.
KARJAA, Part II
The charming little town Karis once again set the scene for the festival. The town is located in Southern Finland and is easily reached from Helsinki by train. The event took place at the campus area of Västra Nylands folkhögskola (VNF, www.vnf.fi). VNF is located in a beautiful park within a 5-10 minute walking distance from the Karis center and the train station.