TAP ANYONE?

By Carl Kazinetz
Publisher

After seeing James Cagney in the classic film Yankee Doodle Dandy, a young David Pershica was inspired to take up Tap Dancing, and never looked back.

“Though I’m not a performer” says Pershica, “I love the art form and have been lucky enough to continue to study it for over 20 years.”

A professional theatre publicist for the past 12 years, Pershica has worked on numerous productions across the country from Broadways Present Laughter, Smokey Joe’s Café, and the first tour of the smash hit Rent, to Las Vegas shows with The Blue Man Group, and a production of Bravo starring the unforgettable Charo.

Pershica recently founded the company Tapography, and began to offer Tap Dancing classes to help actors and actresses get through auditions that require the knowledge and skill to perform the craft.

“I decided to help out some actor friends to get through Tap auditions and found that there are many actors that never really studied the art form properly” says Pershica, “so I offer accelerated classes for actors and adults to help them get through auditions as well as to improve their performances as dancers.”

Some of Pershica’s students include actors from such local companies such as The Arden Theatre, Backseat Productions, Nancy Glass Productions as well as theatre students from Temple University and Bryn Mawr College.

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

No gym required for these workouts

By Christine Ma

Inquirer Staff Writer

For the new year, many of us resolved to shed a few pounds or get in shape. But it's 20 days into 2006, and, honestly, how many of us have already given up on the gym or those aerobics videos?

Well, it's not too late to get off the couch and keep those resolutions - without going to the gym.

Kimberly Garrison, a fitness expert and founder of 1-on-1 Ultimate Fitness, says there are plenty of fun workout alternatives.

"We have so many opportunities to get exercise in our beautiful city," she says. One of her favorites? The "Rocky workout," skipping up the Art Museum steps two at a time and doing lunges.

Or you could start with simpler exercises. "Fitness is a crawl, walk, run approach to life," Garrison says.

So if you're ready, here are some suggestions for good times that will get your heart pumping.

Have you ever wanted to learn tap, but didn't want to be in a class of teeny-boppers? Tapography Dance Studios offers a beginner's session just for adults on Saturdays.

Owner David Pershica says: "You don't realize the workout you're getting because of all the music."

And if you've been inspired by the TV show Dancing With the Stars, stick around for the ballroom dance session.

Tapography Dance Studios holds lessons Saturdays at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2111 Sansom St., Philadelphia.