The “Shim Sham”: (National Anthem of Tap) 2Nd Edition

By Russell P. Foreman

The authors objective is to capture these steps and unusual musical counts in written Dance Notes format, going to great lengths to break down the steps and insure the dancer has WEIGHT on the correct foot, etc, to accomplish a faithful execution of some tricky foot work complicated by some unusual musical dance counts. A corollary objective is to set the record straight, dispelling ALL variations. The completion of this book was a labor of love, dedicated by the author to his late mother, Gertrude LeBlanc Foreman, a pioneer of the dance industry in southwest Louisiana (Acadiana) who taught dance for over 50 years and fueled my passion to dance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503581548

Russell P. Foreman

A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, the author (AKA “Happy Feet”) currently resides in the Dallas suburb of McKinney, TX and is eternally grateful to God for carrying him through two strokes, 4 stints, and a triple heart bypass, allowing for this “Second Edition” to reach fruition. I am deeply grateful to Art Stone for his very meaningful and encouraging words that introduce this Second Edition. His sign off (Fellow Tap Dancer) is very modest. He is the same Art Stone listed under DANCE FACULTY OF NATIONAL STATURE on Page 35 of this book. I so greatly benefited from his teaching that this kind gesture is “doubly meaningful” to me. The dance world may better know him currently for the “Competitor” and very possibly have worn dance costumes from his aforementioned company. Thanks again, Art, for your kindness. May God continue to bless you and your work.

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Copyright © 2015 by Russell P. Foreman, Jr.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Rev. date: 07/20/2015

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CONTENTS

Introduction by Art Stone

Prelude

Foreword:

Acknowledgements:

A Brief History Of The National Anthem Of Tap

Photo From 2008 National Tap Day In Dallas

Shim Sham (National Anthem Of Tap) Dance Notes

Dance Notes Abbreviations And Definitions:

Dance Facts About The Author

Dance Pictoral Of Author Follows:

2014 Update Postscript:

Tribute To Buster Cooper

Closing Thought On The Shim Sham Notes:

THE SHIM SHAM (NATIONAL ANTHEM OF TAP)

INTRODUCTION

(Courtesy of Art Stone)

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PRELUDE: JUST ME, BUSTER,

AND THE SHIM SHAM:

The day was beautiful but already I was dreading the