Talent on display for youth tap ensemble performance

A great taste of talent is coming to Whitefish. The local Feat x Feet youth tap ensemble will be performing its annual summer show Friday, June 22, at 8 p.m., at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

This show features tap professional Derick K. Grant, from New York City. Each summer he makes a yearly trip to Whitefish to be a part of the outstanding experience for the students of Feat x Feet.

Grant started under the direction of two-time Tony Award winning director George C. Wolfe, he was an original company member and dance captain for “Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk” He was also the tap choreographer for the TV hit “So You Think You Can Dance?”

The summer show will include the tap ensemble, Grant, as well as some of the alumni.

Ashley Smith is the owner and artistic director for Feat x Feet and has been bringing tap professionals to the Flathead for the summer workshop for the past 21 years.

“I love watching the kids get that experience,” Smith said. “It’s going to be a fun show. It’s a really amazing coming together of musicians, professionals and our local students all on one stage. It’s very unique and upbeat.”

For many of these students tap has become more than just a week working with Grant.

Student Olivia Potthoff said, “Derick is a huge inspiration and role model in my life and in the life of others, I feel so fortunate to be able to have a close relationship with him through tap dancing, also having someone like Miss Ashley, who continues to bring him out annually has been such a blessing to me.”

The company will be joined on stage by the workshop’s 40 attendees as well as Blue Avenue, a Whitefish band with Rmi Strauser on saxophone, Port Nugent on guitar, Josh Weller on bass, and Ethan Potthoff on the drums.

Tickets are $25. Beverages will be served throughout the evening.

The show is at 8 p.m. and doors open at 7:30 p.m. For tickets call 471-4400 or visit www.featbyfeet.com.