Footworks’ mission is to operate and manage a full-time professional troupe that performs and teaches multicultural percussive dance with live acoustic music for theaters, arts festivals, schools, and community events.
About this Organization
Celebrating over 45 years as a performing arts ensemble, Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble is an internationally recognized, roots-based music and dance company showcasing the cultural diversity of percussive dance. Footworks has a reputation for exceptional performances, bringing the joy and energy of percussive dance and music to audiences worldwide. Since 1979, Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble has delighted audiences of all ages and cultures around the world. The company has thrilled audiences as guest artists in the London run of Riverdance and was honored to be one of eight groups chosen to represent American culture in Japan on a tour with the Smithsonian Institution. Footworks, recognized as pioneers in bringing traditional Americana music and percussive dance to the concert stage, has performed in numerous venues such as The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and recently Footworks created and performed the opening production number for the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards Show, to a standing ovation, and was included in the American Public Television “Music City Roots” series televised nationally. The ensemble always performs with its own highly accomplished award-winning musicians and Music Director Mark Schatz is a celebrated artist in Americana music, best known for his award-winning acoustic bass and claw hammer banjo playing. Mark has performed and recorded with such Grammy Award winning artists as Tony Rice, Tim O’Brien, Bela Fleck, and Nickel Creek. He has also received numerous awards, including IBMA Bass Player of the Year, and the Maryland State Arts Council’s Individual Artist Award for Composition. Footworks is recognized for over 45 years in Arts-In-Education and is dedicated to teaching and working with youth and adults of all ages. The company partners with high quality Arts organizations such as Arts for Learning, Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, Washington Performing Arts, and more. Footworks’ prides itself in making learning fun and accessible for all ages and skill levels. Footworks offers a wide range of services including theater productions, festival performances, community concerts, workshops, arts-integrated school assemblies and residencies, and youth and community outreach programming. All of Footworks programming is a celebration of the cultural diversity found in the United States. The Washington Post declares, "The eruptive joy of Footworks dancers is as contagious as laughter!"Services/Opportunities
With a dazzling and diverse array of traditional and original music and choreography, HOT STRINGS AND FLYING FEET takes you on a journey that conveys the roots and branches of American music and dance, integrating live music, song, and dance to illuminate connections between cultures. Footworks' performances reach all ages and backgrounds, and "pack as much skill, pizzazz, energy, imagination, and artistry" (The Washington Post) as any audience could ask for. This engaging show introduces the audience to music and dance from Ireland, England, Africa, Canada and the American South as well as hamboning, hoofin', and early jazz tap. The influences of these joyful traditions also come together in original, innovative pieces choreographed by Footworks. This is a full-scale stage production for concert halls and festivals.
IRISH ROOTS AND AMERICAN BRANCHES is a celebration of Irish culture with live music and percussive dance and their descendant American styles. With intricate footwork and high-energy music, this show is a feast for the senses and a celebration of Irish and American culture. Footworks' talented dancers, musicians, and singers will take you on a journey through Ireland's rich cultural heritage, featuring sean nos steps, jigs, and reels, and illuminate an American story with tap, Appalachian clogging, and more. Footworks will get you tapping your feet, singing along, and feeling the joy of traditional music and dance so come along and join in the fun!
Steppin’ at the Junction is an exciting collaboration between two Maryland-based roots music and dance organizations, acoustic roots quartet Charm City Junction and the world-renowned Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble. Both ensembles have extensive histories and experience performing traditional Old Time, Irish, and Bluegrass music throughout the country; and both groups breath new life into those traditions through innovative, original, and playful creations. Steppin’ at the Junction is a dynamic, rousing, high-energy celebration of the roots and branches of American music and dance including tunes with acoustic instrumentation, songs, and percussive dance choreography.
Footworks has a long history of performing at major folk, bluegrass, roots music, and international festivals across North America and the United Kingdom. The company’s high-energy main stage performances with live music and dance delight audiences and adds visual variety to any festival line up. Footworks also brings a wealth of teaching experience to conducting participation workshops in many styles, making dance accessible and fun for all ages. The company can assist any festival in creating areas where festival goers can participate in dance and movement workshops.
Part of Footworks’ mission is to make dance accessible and enjoyable to everyone, whether you are a beginner or a highly trained dancer who has yet to experience tradition-based percussive dance forms. Workshops varying in length are also offered to general audiences of all ages and capabilities, including instruction in: Southern Appalachian clogging, contemporary clogging French Canadian, Cape Breton and Irish step dance; South African Boot Dance; Irish country sets, ceili dance and old-time waltzes; beginning or intermediate swing and Cajun; as well as hambone, tap, and creative improvisation.
All of Footworks theater shows/concerts are also available in a concert/workshop or community dance format where a shortened concert is given followed by a participatory workshop or community dance. Footworks master artists will lead participants in Appalachian Circle dances, Contra, Irish Social dances, World Folk dances or teach simple and easy tap, clogging, or irish steps, or hamboning rhythms with Footworks' musicians providing live music. It is our mission to get everyone up and dancing with us or dancing in their seats! Offerings available for all mobility levels.
Stand alone workshops are also available.
Featured Work
Photos
Featured Work: Photos
Joy! Footworks' Personnel
Irish Roots and American Branches Assembly
Footworks' Audience Participation
Videos
-
Footworks Programming
See more information about Footworks ProgrammingPromo Video Highlighting some of Footworks' programming.Medium: videoYear: 2021Details: 3:44
Booking
Booking Price: $2,001-$5,000
Footworks offers programming at price points from $150-$8000 depending on the service and number of personnel involved. The company strives to offer programming for all communities and budgets.
Please contact us at 410-897-9299 or via email at office@footworks.org.
The company needs a level and safe performance space. Materials and Technology is dependent on the size and nature of the performance. Please contact us for further details.
Footworks travels to all regions in Maryland. No travel restrictions. The company travels to Allegany County, Carroll County; Harford County; St. Mary's County; Anne Arundel County; Cecil County; Howard County; Somerset County; Baltimore City; Charles County; Kent County; Talbot County; Baltimore County; Dorchester County; Montgomery County; Washington County; Calvert County; Frederick County; Prince George's County; Wicomico County; Caroline County; Garrett County; Queen Anne's County; Worcester County
Stacie Sanders Evans, President and CEO at Young Audiences Arts for Learning Maryland, 410-837- 7577 x.101, stacie@yamd.org
Walt Michael, Founder and Executive Director of Common Ground on the Hill, 410-857-2771, wmichael@mcdaniel.edu
Arts in Education
Population Types: Adult Learners, Intergenerational, Early Childhood (0-3 years old), Grades Pre-K – 2, Grades 3-5, Middle School (6-8 grade), High School (9-12 grade)
Roots and Rhythm
Roots and Rhythm: Multicultural Traditional Music and Dance explores the diversity and commonality of the people of the World. Dances, Songs, and their histories from different cultures, are taught in a fun and inviting way in Roots and Rhythm, bringing students together in rhythms and songs that build community and connect participants to each other and to the peoples of the world.
Mountain Music: Appalachian Songs, Steps, and Story
Welcome to Mountain Music where the hills of Appalachia come alive for students through vibrant stories, stirring melodies, and traditional Appalachian dance. Students will dive into the region’s rich cultural tapestry, learning traditional steps and a social dance, and creating steps in the Appalachian tradition using music and story to facilitate movement.
Understanding the Star Spangled Banner Through Dance
The Star Spangled Banner was written in Baltimore in 1814. Understanding the Star Spangled Banner Through Dance explores the events leading up to the writing of our national anthem and the meaning of the words through movement and dance. Students learn the basic elements of dance, how dance can communicate ideas, thoughts, and feelings, and have the opportunity to choreograph their own dances in Understanding the Star Spangled Banner Through Dance.
Maryland Wolf Trap Early Learning Residency -
During this residency, a Footworks Wolf Trap-trained teaching artist is embedded in the center or school, collaborating closely with one or more classroom teachers to seamlessly integrate music and dance into the curriculum's objectives. These residencies support children's and educators' growth through engaging, play-based learning experiences centered on music, dance, or drama strategies. Each residency is tailored to the educator’s curricular objectives.
Wolf Trap Baby Arts Play Family and Caregiver Residency -
During a Baby Artsplay!™ Caregiver residency, a Footworks' Wolf Trap trained teaching artist partners with caregivers and their children to develop strategies for incorporating singing, dancing, music, and other multi-sensory activities into their child’s daily routine. This collaborative, hands-on approach helps caregivers tap into their child's innate sense of curiosity and desire to connect to the world around them.
Keeping the Beat: Multicultural Influences in American Music and Dance
Footworks conveys the power and joy of percussive dance while illuminating the multicultural roots of American music and dance, including African, European, and Native American traditions. Live music and an exciting array of percussive dances are performed, including step dance, gumboot dance, tap, clogging, and hamboning, along with inspiring audience participation.
IRISH ROOTS AND AMERICAN BRANCHES
IRISH ROOTS AND AMERICAN BRANCHES is a celebration of Irish culture with live music and percussive dance and their descendant American styles. With intricate footwork and high-energy music, this show is a celebration of Irish and American culture. Footworks' talented dancers, musicians, and singers will take you on a journey through Ireland's rich cultural heritage, featuring sean nos steps, jigs, reels, and illuminate an American story with tap, Appalachian clogging, and more. Footworks will get you tapping your feet, singing along, and feeling the joy of traditional music and dance so come along and join in the fun!
Build A Better World
Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble presents "Build A Better World", a family-friendly show for all ages that includes live music, dancing, audience participation, and lots of fun that will inspire students and audiences of all ages to do their part to build a better world. Come join world-class artists as they perform an interactive and uplifting show that is sure to get you smiling, toe tapping, singing and clapping!
World Dance: Steps and Melody from across the Globe
Embark on a captivating journey into the realms of rhythm, music, and percussive dance with the "World Dance" presentation by the Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble. This mesmerizing performance brings forth the rich tapestry of traditional dance and music from various corners of the globe, including Ireland, South Africa, China, Mexico, and the United States. Led by the virtuoso performers of Footworks, this interactive assembly invites students to join in, singing along, creating rhythms, and dancing to live music. It's a joyous celebration of diverse world cultures that promises to engage and inspire all in attendance.