Hoofers Club Englewood Taps to Fitness
Rashanah Baldwin
Published: August 12, 2010
The Hoofers Club Englewood is a chair aerobic tap dance program created by Chicago Southsider, Brenda Woods. Woods parents were both professional tap dancers and Woods, who has more than 40 years of tap dancing experience, says, "I was born tapping."
The Hoofers Club meets at Hamilton Park every Thursday at 10:00am.
The name, The Hoofers Club Englewood Program, came from the famous Hoofer Club in Harlem from the 1930's, and the inspiration came from seeing famous tap dance performer Ernest Brownie Brown in action. The seniors receive training from Woods, who has created a positive aging program for seniors between the ages of 55-85.
The program is free! The classes are Thursday mornings from 10:00 am -11:00 am at Hamilton Park. Beginners, intermediates and the advanced are welcome to join the club. Members are also treated to a music component where they learn about different genres such as jazz, gospel, r&b, reggae and hip hop. These members are not just limited to chair tap dance; they also do sing along, karaoke and "name that tune."
Hoofers South, the first club tap club in the area, and Hoofers Club Englewood pair together for a grand performance every November. These dancing seniors also get to showcase their talent to the public by performing throughout the city. They have performed for organizations such as the Najwa Student Council, Relay for Life, an event hosted by The American Cancer Society and the Senior Holistic Day Care.
Interested in joining? Contact Brenda Woods at 773-902-7391 or Sandra Thomas Park Supervisor 312-747-6174 or 312-747-6174.
The Hoofers Club Englewood Program is supported by the Chicago Park District, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Englewood Community Cultural Planning Council.