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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 23, 2010 · 32 PHOTOS BY ERIC RIEHL / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER TAP TAP TAP: Kim Chalovich (left photo) and Everett Smith, finalist on So You Think You Can Dance Canada, held a tap dance clinic at the Grace Academy of Dance and Performing Arts. Sound of tap clearly heard at clinic held by dance pros By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF It is certainly no surprise that the Grace Academy of Dance and Performing Arts was full of percussive sounds recently as the studio hosted a tap dance clinic that attracted more than 100 participants. The top-level clinic was held at the Oakville studio on Thursday, July 15 and it has attracted so much interest from area residents that people had to be turned away. Perhaps the reason the event attracted so many dancers is because the art form is growing, or maybe because of the level of its two instructors. The event was run by Kim Chalovich, who runs the professional dance company What's On? Tap! and a tap dance school in Mississauga, and by Everett Smith, who made it to the top four of the most recent edition of So You Think You Can Dance Canada. This was the first event hosted by The Tapdance Centre, run by Chalovich and Smith, which will fully open sometime in September. "After a long time of shrinking, from the '40s to very recently, I can say (tap dance) is now growing," Chalovich said in an e-mail. She said there are various indicators that show the growth of the art form, such as the movie Happy Feet, Smith's success on the dance show, the opening of The Tapdance Centre and more. "I believe the growth to be with new emerging styles of tap," she said, "incorporating unorthodox music and creating steps that are not in the existing repertoire. It's like any sport or art, as it moves forward, the techniques get more and more advanced. The duo of Chalovich and Smith were loaned the Oakville studio. Their centre won't open until September. The new centre will be a tap dance school, beginner to professional level, and will also have several dance companies, such as What's On? Tap!, as resident groups. The local event attracted dancers from across southern Ontario. Chalovich and Smith also held auditions for their dance companies. For more information on the new centre, visit www.tapdancecentre.com. Hundreds of artists to exhibit work at Bronte harbour The 45th annual Art in the Park is coming and it's expected to attract thousands of people to the Bronte waterfront to see exhibits from more than 100 artists. The show will take place on Monday, Aug. 2, hosted by the Oakville Art Society, Artists for the show were selected by a jury. Last year's event had exhibits from more than 150 artists. All media of art will be shown, including oil, acrylic and watercolour paintings, glass, ceramics, textiles, photography, mixed media, sculptures and fine jewelry. The Trafalgar Brewery will be offering food and refreshments at its beer garden. The event takes place at the Heritage Waterfront Park in Bronte from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 at the gate. For more information, visit www.oakvilleartsociety.com. FREE FAMILY SHOWS SNUGGLES! Saturday JULY 24th, 7:00 pm THE SATURDAY NIGHT WISE MONKEY & FOOLISH CROCODILE FIESTA & CARNIVAL! OLD TIME WAYS Saturday AUGUST 21st, 7:00 pm Saturday SEPTEMBER 25th, 7:00 pm All shows will be held at Town Hall, South Atrium, 1225 Trafalgar Road and are approximately one hour in length. So bring blankets, cushions to sit on and enjoy these shows with the whole family. Spaces are limited! Please call 905-815-2021 and leave your name and number of family members. Although these shows are free, a $5 per person donation would be appreciated. For more information, visit www.oakvillecentre.ca