'One' - A Chorus Line, 'Anything Goes' - Anything Goes, 'You're the Top' - Anything Goes, 'My Humps' - Black Eyed Peas, 'Tea for Two' 'That Swing One' - you know what I'm talking about! 'My Blazer' - Alex and the All-stars.
Movies
Tap-tanic Little Tap of Horrors Tap-cago The Tappy Horror Picture Show When Harry met Tappy Taps on a Plane Some like it Tap Tap for Two It Takes Two to Tap Dance
Television
Tapping with the Stars, Tap and Away, The Tap House, Channel 10 Tap, Tap-eo Hits, So Tap, Tap-away,
Books
How To Tap Dance (volumes 1,2,3) By Joan Leslie.
The Alex Dance - An Indepth Insight. By William Shakespeare.
Marika and Jasmine Do It Broadway Style! By William Shakespeare.
Kate and William do the "in, out" step. By William Shakespeare.
Rachel has a booooooooyfriend. By William Shakespeare.
Verity's Interpretive Dance Class (Special DVD Edition) By William Shakespeare.
Heroes
Movin' Melvin Brown
Joan's Tap Academy's Details
Status:
Swinger
Here for:
Dating
Orientation:
Not Sure
Body type:
More to love!
Ethnicity:
Other
Religion:
Mormon
Zodiac Sign:
Cancer
Children:
Proud parent
Occupation:
Tap Class
Joan's Tap Academy is in your extended network view more
About me: Joan's Tap Academy has been acheiving excellence in Tap Dancing (or similar) for years and years and years. The specialty move for the class would be a highly complex routine called the 'step ball-change routine' - NOT TO BE ATTEMPTED BY A BEGINNER. However most of the lesson is to be spent warming up the vocal chords and mouth area. Our school motto is "Tap your troubles away" and I beleive it is a very appropriate and fitting motto. It was either that or "I pay $5 a week for what?"
Let's meet the class:
(Left to Right: Verity, Jasmine, Rachel, Joan, Marika, Kate, Alex) Photo Taken: 4/7/2005.
JASMINE - AKA - 'The Top-Tap-Timestepper.'
Jasmine has been tap dancing since November 1987. At this time she was performing her one-woman show "Tapping in the Womb" An interesting piece of performance art, however on the final night, she tripped on the umbilical cord and made a fool of herself in front of thousands of viewers on national television. After this unfortunate incident, her career was in ruins. It took her several years to reach the status she once had. Her fear of uncoordination has haunted her for years of performing and came back for a lethal return in January 2002. A harmless village dance in a Pantomime wreaked havoc when mid 'clap and spin' her skirt somehow unfastened. Luckily quick thinking and improvisational skills were on her side and she covered the accident by holding onto her skirt for the entire dance. This cured her fears (although did not cure her uncoordination) and she has been happily unco since. Some career highlights include the solo dance in Pinocchio (where she was left to fend for herself/mark time) the day after Rosie broke her leg, and the Pirate tap dance where the entire audience could see her up her skirt. Might I add - NOT A GOOD LOOK! Come on down, Jasmine....
Jasmine demonstrates her signature move, the time-step.
ALEX PORTER - AKA - 'Ooooooh! Look at meeeeee! I'm tooo good for tap!'
We all laughed when Alex told us she wanted to become a professional dancer. Some ridiculed, others just sniggered to themselves. But it seems after years of hard work and practice - she proved us all wrong. We thought Alex might not have what it takes to break into the dance scene, considering she has never actually worn tap shoes to a lesson and is frequently distracted by closets, toys or glow in the dark skeletons. However in 1998 when 'The Alex Dance' video clip was released - it took the world by storm. Not since The Ketchup Song have we had such a popular and catchy dance. Unfortunately, after 2 years of pressure in the spotlight, a drug addiction (a common substance named 'Red Eye') and several affairs with high profile Youth Theatre men, Alex could stand it no more. She faked her own death (by playing the role of 'Death' in a Christmas Carol' - some of us doubted whether she actually knew what 'faking your own death' meant) but managed to return to her normal happy life. Soon after, Alex missed the popularity and made her comeback with 'My Blazer' - yet another number 1! However when her affair with all three backup dancers was published on the front cover of Who Weekly, Alex was forced back into her old life. She still attends Joan's Tap Academy but is now focussing her talents elsewhere, she hopes to compete in 2009 Olympic Games Pool Rugby Tournament. We’re all cheering for you, Alex! Alex Porter, come on down…..
“The Alex Dance”, a still shot from the video clip. This photo was also the cover shot in her autobiography, “Behind the Blazer: A look into the life of a dancing sensation.”
RACHEL COOMBES – AKA – 'The Talented Punch'
Rachel has always been the dark horse of the class. She may seem a little quiet, but when the music comes on – there’s just no stopping her! Perfection in every step, how does she do it? This extreme talent is how Rachel went on to win series two of The X Factor. Her talent for pop music carried her in to the top 10 on Australian Idol – but without her secret talent, she was no match for Casey Donovan, and was voted out in round 4. After a few minor disappointments in life (*cough* Hoagy *cough*), Rachel was ready to do it all again! As soon as the audition note for The X Factor came out, Rachel knew it was her chance to prove herself as a pop-singing-tap-dancing talent. This was a stressful time for her, but with the encouragement of the tap girls and, of course, high intensity extra 1 on 1 training sessions with Joan – Rachel was able to wow the judges with her stellar performance and win the contract at the end. We’re all proud of you, so come on down, Rachel!
Rachel Performs in the garden spectacular. (The series finale of The X Factor)
KATE MCROSTIE – AKA – 'Pthe Pteriffic Ptapper'
Kate has practically had the words “star material” tattooed across her head since she was born. An unfortunate misunderstanding in a tattoo parlour was the cause – but due to the wonders of laser technology, Kate’s star qualities are now purely implied. The horrors of being a child star from the age of 3, lead Kate on the path from Rising Starlet to…well, dirty ho – but Kate’s decided to get back on track these days and is putting her past behind her and reaching outstanding goals. In 1991, after her appearance on Wheel of Fortune (the worlds youngest contestant) Kate was rocketed into the Hollywood lifestyle at an age some consider to be too young. Three-year-old Kate continued to be a TV week cover girl for 5 years running. The wholesome Kate grew tired of her clean-cut image and at age 16 appeared as a backup dancer in the infamous Alex Porter’s hit video “My Blazer”. Kate’s stand out performance lead her to win 2 Grammy’s and 4 Aria’s – a record in itself for a back up dancer. Months later the bad publicity about her drunken affair with Alex and other dancers was released, and while this destroyed Alex’s career, Kate made her next move. Her success and skill in the clip (of which she says is all owed to her dance teacher Joan) gave her an easy start into the world of exotic dance. After a few unsuccessful years on Hindley, Kate felt she needed to move in a new direction. Still studying at Joan’s Tap Academy, she realised she could incorporate tap steps into her ‘street work’. This was a huge success and lead her to be on the cover of ‘City’ Magazine (see picture below.) 1 year on, Kate decided to clean up her act, get out of Hindley and get back to the Academy. Kate is now one of our most distinguished performers. Come on down, Kate….!
Kate's new tapping move (if you know what I mean) makes it to the cover of 'City' Magazine.
MARIKA TURCI – AKA – 'Movin' Mama Marika'
Marika, Marika, Marika…Where to start! I could talk about Marika for half an hour…and I will. Marika has had an exciting life with Joan’s Tap Academy. A late starter, but despite joining classes many years after the rest of us, she was able to pick up (or already know) exactly what to do. An amazing talent or psychic – you decide! Either way, we’re lucky to have her with us. After her fall out with her band ‘S Club 8’, she auditioned to get into the prestigious Joan’s Tap Academy. Some say this was not the smartest move due to the sudden popularity of S Club 7, but Marika holds her head up and maintains that she made the decision that was right for her at the time. After just 3 years in the Academy Marika had the amazing offer to join forces with Richard Simmons on his World Aerobics Tour. An offer too good to refuse, Marika set off on a tour she would never forget. As part of the tour she also released several aerobics and tap exercise videos (tap-robics). At the height of her aerobics career, Marika’s agents asked her to move in a new direction. They felt a nickname or something catchy would put her down in tap-robics history. She was asked to choose her own name and the unveiling of this caused her demise. It appears that ‘Moist Muff Marika’ just didn’t cut it in the world of tap-robics and fans disowned her world-wide. The shame of it all caused Marika to join the witness protection program. It is rumoured that she even went under the knife to protect her dignity, having a rare yet successful operation known as the ‘reverse-michael-jackson-manoeuvre’ and is rumoured to be currently black. A passer by took this photo (see below) when they overheard someone on the street saying “nigga please”. There is confirmation that Marika has been accepted back into Joan’s Tap Academy – but only on probation. Marika, come on down!
Could this be Marika? (right)
Marika's latest video.
VERITY HOUSE – AKA – 'The Tappiest Loser.'
The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘Verity’ as “The quality or condition of being true, factual, or real.” (check it out - http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/verity) but to us, Verity is a dirty liar. In her preliminary auditions for Joan’s Tap Academy she wrote on her form “10 years of dance experience” She was accepted, but it was 2 months before we found out the truth – 10 years of INTERPRETIVE dance experience. Needless to say, the extreme concentration and skill needed for classes such as those in the Academy require years of rigorous training and meticulous attention to detail. But how could you say no to those puppy dog eyes! However, Verity’s skills in the interpretive tap field lead her to release 2 DVDs and a book. After a rare script of an interpretive dance, entitled ‘Rasta’, was discovered by archaeologists, (believed to be written by William Shakespeare himself) Verity was asked to play the lead. “Best Performance Ever” – The Times. I think it’s fair to say that pretty much sums it up! (See picture below, live from the show). On the second to last performance of ‘Rasta’, Verity was spotted smoking some ‘Fructose’ and was immediately asked to leave the theatre group. An unexpected twist left Verity teaching Joan (the only other person who could possibly learn the moves) the interpretive dance in a last minute frenzy. Luckily, the final night was a huge success. Since her drug-ridden demise, Verity came back to Joan’s Tap Academy and has taught us all a thing or two. Come on down Verity….
A scene from ‘Rasta’ – Verity on the left.
Joan and Verity in their last minute rehearsal!
WILLIAM MCROSTIE - AKA - 'Hat William!'
William Mcrostie (Born Friedrich Wilhelm McRosetty) is the newest member of the Academy. A slow learner, it took William 35 lessons to learn how to step ball-change, but once he did that, it was like his feet took control! 5 years later William has now learnt the entire Step Ball-Change Routine. Well Done William! However, Tap Dancing has not always been William’s main passion. As it was his mother’s wish, William was born in a hat shop and ever since that eventful evening has had a passion for hats. By age 7, William had opened a prominent hat shop located in Rundle Mall. By age 9, the highly exclusive ‘Friedrich’s Hattery’ had expanded and he now had one store in every state (of Australia and America.) In the mid 90’s the hat industry was booming and William (or Friedrich as he was called back then) was at the top of the Hat chain. An unfortunate incident in ‘98 lead to William being caught dealing hats to a group of strippers (one who was later discovered to be his sister). Why strippers need hats most people have no idea – but either way this huge mistake marked the end of William’s career in the hat industry. After that, William became a bitter old man. Sitting in the dark all day and playing computer games. But William soon recovered (from the bitterness – he still plays computer games all day). However to this day William has problems getting to close with hats and this is believed to be the reason he never has one on his head in rehearsals. Upon asking his mentor and patron saint, Joan Leslie for a quote about William, this stirring and emotional response echoed throughout the hallways, “HAT, WILLIAM, HAT!!”
The photo that ended William's Hat career. Friedrich Wilhelm pictured left with his sister Kate in her 'working days'
A little tap joke...
It’s not all hard work at the Academy – we joke around, you know, the odd tap joke here and there…always a crowd pleaser!
Haha, I'm still here too! Glad to know we're moving so fast in life!
Also, in relation to your comment on the photo Alex, yes I really have been blonde a long time (since the start of 05 in fact) but at the time of that photo my hair was pretty much orange due to the dodgy transition blonde stage!
yo suckers....we NEED to organise the next tap thing. We left this one a bit late and unfortunately i'll be away next sunday (10th of Jan). Sooo i'm thinking we should have it on the 17th! What r ur thoughts ppl?
I will try to get there on Sunday, but will have to see how I'm feeling and how swollen I am after getting my wisdom teeth out on Friday.... which I'm so looking forward to *cough cough*
TOMORROW NIGHT (3/1) Joan's son's band, the Temple Tigers, are playing at Jade Monkey. She wants some people to come along in support. So, come and regale in some new music.
The night starts at 9pm, Temple Tigers go on at like 1030-11. 29 twin st in the city. I think there's a $6 cover.
ALSO
This sunday! TRP/TWAT!
at JOAN'S HOUSE!!!!
Standard rules, 530, drinks and food and yourselves. So none of this "Oh im to popularrrr" business. Get yo asses down there. Joan is bradshwa crescent, but im sure you all know that.
Hello there all. The next tap gathering is at my house on the 4th of Nov at 5:30pm. We shall make it a bit of a drama gathering so if you see ne drama fools then let them know.
Due to a lack of numbers TWAT will be cancelled for this week.
Instead it will be on next Sunday at 5:30 at the Stirling.
ALSO
If anyone has Rachel's phone number (home or mobile) can you please either give it to me or give her a call to let her know that it is cancelled, as I believe she is working today. I have looked in the white pages and can't find it.
