MADD RHYTHMS

Make your year-end tax-deductible contribution to M.A.D.D. Rhythms.

www.maddrhythms.com/year-end-fundraiser

Help Us Celebrate 24 Years — and Step Boldly Into Our 25th Anniversary.

For nearly a quarter century, when Chicago wanted tap — real tap, cultural tap, community tap — they turned to M.A.D.D. Rhythms.

Why?

Because for 24 years, you’ve known exactly what we stand for:
Excellence. Access. Culture. Community. Legacy. Love.

You’ve known that when you walk into our space, you’re not just learning steps — you’re joining a family. You’re entering a lineage. You’re being welcomed, challenged, supported, and seen.

And for 24 years, that has been possible because of you.
A Legacy 24 Years in the Making

Since 2001, M.A.D.D. Rhythms has grown from a bold idea into one of the nation’s leading tap dance organizations — a cultural anchor for Chicago and a lifeline for thousands of young people.

Under the visionary leadership of Founder and Artistic Director Bril Barrett, we have:

Built a Novice-to-Professional Pipeline that has mentored more than 300 youth

Created year-round programming that offers safe, creative, culturally grounded alternatives for young people across the city

Performed on global stages while staying rooted in Bronzeville, North Lawndale, and Chicago’s underserved communities

Preserved and uplifted the Black tap tradition through education, performance, and intergenerational exchange

Innovated with new tools — including the electronic tap floor — to expand what tap can be

Ensured that no child is ever turned away for financial reasons

Bril’s leadership has been recognized nationally and internationally — from the NEA National Heritage Fellowship to the Hoofer Award, the NDEO Lifetime Achievement Award, and more. But his greatest accomplishment is the one he shares with you:

Building a community where rhythm is a pathway to purpose.
As We Enter Our 25th Anniversary, We Need You

2025 marks a milestone:
25 years of Making A Difference Dancing Rhythms.

To honor this legacy — and to ensure the next 25 years are even stronger — we are launching our $25,000 for 25 Years Campaign.

Your gift today will:

Sustain our youth programs

Support our instructors and teaching artists

Expand our outreach into communities that need us most

Preserve the cultural legacy of tap for future generations

Strengthen our ability to provide scholarships, mentorship, and safe spaces

In a time when Chicago’s youth continue to face rising challenges, your support is not just helpful — it is essential.
Your Gift Makes an Immediate Impact

www.maddrhythms.com/year-end-fundraiser

A contribution of $100, $250, $500, $1,000, or $5,000 directly fuels the programs, people, and purpose that define M.A.D.D. Rhythms.

Every dollar helps us continue the work that has changed lives for 24 years — and prepares us to step proudly into our 25th.
This is your tap collective. Your community. Your legacy.

We exist because of you.
We grow because of you.
We continue because of you.

Please consider making the most generous year-end gift you can.

Your donation will make a world of difference. I promise you.

With gratitude and rhythm,
Bril Barrett
Founder & President
Making A Difference Dancing Rhythms Organization

www.maddrhythms.com/year-end-fundraiser

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MADD RHYTHMS

HAROLD WASHINGTON CULTURAL CENTER WINTER WONDERFEST

hwccwinterwonderfest2025.eventbrite.com/
50% off code: maddrhythms

Get ready to ring in the holidays with a splash of culture and excitement! Join us at the Harold Washington Cultural Center as our Arts Partners throw an unforgettable public celebration, showcasing a thrilling preview of the activities and services we have lined up for next year and beyond. This is one event you won’t want to miss! 🎉🎄✨

Featuring: Broadway In Bronzeville, M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Dorothy Jeanius S.T.E.A.M. Institute, Sammy Dyer School Of The Theatre, Move Me Soul, Creation Chicago Footwork, Chibuck Movement, Golden Nights Drill Team, and more…

hwccwinterwonderfest2025.eventbrite.com/
50% off code: maddrhythms

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 5

MADD RHYTHMS

Black Friday Weekend: Grown & Sexy Tap Deals
Tap into confidence, community, and savings — sale ends Cyber Monday.

www.maddrhythms.com/tap-academy

🖤 10 Reasons to Buy Your Grown & Sexy Tap Class Card This Weekend

Substantial Discount – Save big during Black Friday, Small Business Saturday & Cyber Monday.

Local-Owned – Support a Chicago-based arts organization rooted in the community.

Black-Owned – Invest in a legacy of excellence and representation in the arts.

Gives Back to the Community – Every purchase helps sustain youth programs and outreach.

New Year’s Resolution – Start 2026 with rhythm, confidence, and consistency.

Mature Learning Environment – Classes designed for adults who want to grow, not just sweat.

Fun Exercise – Stay active while enjoying the joy of dance.

Keep the Tradition Alive – Be part of preserving tap’s cultural legacy in Chicago.

Jazz Appreciation – Deepen your connection to music and rhythm through tap’s jazz roots.

Self-Care – Tap into joy, release stress, and prioritize yourself.

www.maddrhythms.com/tap-academy

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MADD RHYTHMS

https://youtu.be/xM3E-7WeOYU

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MADD RHYTHMS

🔥 🔥 🔥

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MADD RHYTHMS

Dear Chicago Tap Summit Family,

The Chicago Tap Summit 2025 was a resounding success—and it’s all because of you. Every sponsor, organizer, faculty member, student, intern, volunteer, staff member, audience member, and supporter played a vital role in making this year’s Summit a true celebration of rhythm, resilience, and community.
🎭 Sponsors

Harold Washington Cultural Center • DCASE (Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events) • Illinois Arts Council • Oppenheimer Family Foundation • Providence Bank & Trust • AOT Group • Bronzeville Hoagie & Panini • Dancing Fair • Chloe & Maud Foundation • TBTNews (TruthBTold) • Soul Veg City (Plant-Based Cuisine) • Sip & Savor • Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream • Time on the Wood • Conscious Plates • CTA (Chicago Tap Allstars) • Black Dance Legacy Project • The International Association of Blacks in Dance • Avant Garde Realty • Mindful Peace and Restoration Mental Health Therapy and Life Coaching
👣 Faculty

Bril Barrett • Donnetta Jackson • Star Dixon • Andrew Carr • Caleb Jackson • Case Prime • William Wims • Davon Suttles • Kelsey Fields • Tre Dumas • Nico Rubio • Ja’bowen Dixon • KJ Sheldon • Carmen Paquette • Tristan Bruns • Ian Berg • Mark Yonally • Jay Fagan • Mr. Taps • Reggio McLaughlin • Molly Smith • Jenefer Miller • Roxanne King • Latrell Garnett
🎶 Music & Words

Musical Director & Composer: Thaddeus Tukes Musicians: Kenari Allison • Kevin King • Steven Manns • Gabriel Wade Vocalist: Sydney Fulson Poet: Jacob Jackson
🌟 Special Guest Tap Dancers

Ashton Carter • Luke Hunter • Dillon Szuch
🙌 Interns & Volunteers

Tré Lee • Andrew Carr • Andrew Stoval • Aneesa Muhammad • Brendan Pinkett • Case Prime (Floors) • Davon Suttles • Devin Mosely • Ellie Guzzano • Emaneyah Walker • Kaitlynn Worley • Kelsey Fields • Nathaniel (Nate) Taylor • Nick Herrera • Tanzania Covington • William Wims • Alyssa Burton
📸 #Marketing / Promotions

Photography: Theon Reynolds Videography: Freedom Films – Jake Guerruero Printing: Green INK Printing – CTS 2024 Posters/Postcards Post Show Reception: Vanessa Abron
🛠️ #Operations Crew

Felecia Muhammad – Concessions Elise Owens – Registration, Check‑in, Merch Juquarion Grimes – Building Operations Security: David Prater, Natalie Prater – Steiner Security
🎛️ #Tech Crew

Technical Director: Bemaji Tillman Sound Designer: Sizwe Butler Lighting Designer: Phoenix Ballentine Stage Manager: Y.A.S. Soundtronix, Inc. – Audio Equipment
🎬 #Directors

Bril Barrett – Chicago Tap Summit Star Dixon – Chicago Tap Summit Concert
🌟 Special Thanks

To Dr. Dorothy Tillman and the Dorothy Jeanius S.T.E.A.M. Camp for their vision, leadership, and commitment to empowering the next generation through creativity, innovation, and education. Your partnership reminds us that rhythm, science, and imagination are all part of the same legacy of brilliance.
💜 Closing Note

This Summit was more than an event—it was a movement. Together, we showed the world that tap is not only dance, but music, history, and legacy in motion.

With gratitude and love, Bril Barrett Founder & Artistic Director M.A.D.D. Rhythms

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MADD RHYTHMS

WONDER

www.eventbrite.com/e/wonder-tickets-1698432349879

Saturday, Oct. 4
7:30pm

An exploration of the relationship between music and tap dance. The journey of a young dancer. Expressions of wonder in a dream.

3 months ago | [YT] | 3

MADD RHYTHMS

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT: DONOR MATCH CHALLENGE!

Honoring Mama Rhythms with a $10K match challenge—donate by Sep 15 to double your impact!

mtyc.co/vse51g

4 months ago | [YT] | 0

MADD RHYTHMS

blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/20/chicago-black-danc…

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MADD RHYTHMS

www.newcitystage.com/2025/08/19/creating-from-trut…

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