TAPEPLAS , a unique style of tap dance, music & rhythm, was founded in Barcelona in the winter of 2002-2003. Created between Israel & Spain , TAPEPLAS ' shows mix between east & west, ethnic & urban, old & new. Original Mediterranean influenced music scores blend with visual & innovative feet percussion choreography, as dancers & musicians from different cultures move, interact & share.
Prior to its materialization in Barcelona, the project's roots go back to Israel, where the group's choreographer, Sharon Lavi, grew up & developed a personal style of tap & dance inside of different choreographic ventures in which he was involved. After having met musician-drummer Yaron Engler at the creation of the children's performance, KexevKezev, the 2 raised a new project's mission statement in which their personal styles would eventually merge.
Sharon Lavi moved to live in Barcelona at 2002, soon putting together a young group of local musician-dancers that included Laia Molins, Rubén Sánchez, Anna Llombart & Jep Meléndez. Shortly after, Yaron Engler joined them & became the group's musical director. It was with that original cast & with a short piece they performed at the New York City Tap Festival (Tap City 2003) , that TAPEPLAS was debuted. The strong energy with which the group was created & the relevance of each one of its original members in their artistic surroundings, were the grounds for which the project became from day 1 an important reference inside the local tap & percussion scene. Therefore, between 2004 & 2005, already established in its own studios, TAPEPLAS combined the development of its productions with the launching of various training programs in which new generations of tap dancers were brought-up. It was only at the end of 2005 that the group premiered its 1 st full length show: BoomBach .
BoomBach's premiere boosted TAPEPLAS towards new prospects. As of 2006, recommended by the Spanish National Theatre Network ( Red Española de Teatros, Auditorios y Circuitos de Titularidad Pública ) for the production of BoomBach , the group travelled through Spain carrying out a national tour, 2 seasons in Barcelona ( Villarroel Teatre – 2006, Teatre Borràs – 2007), different festival presentations & various international appearances that included: Chicago, Venice, Berlin & New York.
As a result of the group's inner and outer growth, and with the intention of creating a new outreach program, the project initiated a new company section at the end of 2007 – “TAPEPLAS 2” . Old KexevKezev was translated from Hebrew to Spanish & Catalan & was adapted as the company's intimate work. At the same time, Sharon Lavi & Yaron Engler produced MONKEYS , a collage of diverse unedited TAPEPLAS materials, in which a special collaboration with Hofesh Shechter, associate choreographer of “The Place” in London , was included as well.
REVIEWS
“…interpretación enérgica… trabajo coral que desprende gran complicidad… claqué atractivo al compás de Bach… atrevido… visceral…” El Pais
“… So joyfull!!! ...like when old friends trade banter…” The New York Times
“international delight all its own…BoomBach adds comic beat to percussive performance… inventive, eye-catching percussive dance sprinkled with arresting modern moves… tap beautifully integrated with full-body movement and design…” The Chicago Tribune “… Easygoing, electric… pals dancing for and with each other…” The New York Times
“…auténtica obra de arte… auténtico evento cultural….dibujantes del baile…”El Pais
“…la nueva referencia del claqué en Barcelona...” El Periódico
“…danza a un ritmo trepidante…” El diario de Burgos “…un nuevo concepto teatral, ritmo en la sangre… energía a raudales, sinfonía visual… vestuario vistoso y original…” Guía del Ocio de Barcelona “…TAPEPLAS – el nuevo tap dance!!...” ADN
“…BoomBach – claqué puesto al día…” 20 minutos
“…mestizaje de sensaciones… coreografía que aporta aire fresco a la escena teatral…” El Diari de Barcelona “…TAPEPLAS – estilo original, lenguaje contemporáneo…” Assaig General
