Tap dance meets neo-soul at Ottawa Fringe

Victoria Miller's remarkable debut as a choreographer brings together four tap dancers and three musicians — on bass, piano, and trumpet/flugelhorn — from Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal for a fusion of tap dancing and '90s neo-soul.

Neo Soul Ties runs at Arts Court Theatre until June 27, with performances built on a 50-minute core of group choreography and improvised solos. The combination of ensemble work and individual showcases proved essential to the show's impact. When Miller and fellow dancers Houys Garabedian, Marium Rizvi, and Jennifer van den Bosch broke away to solo, the energy peaked.

Miller opened the show with a brief history of tap dance, explaining the meld of neo-soul and tap as two great examples of Black American art. The tight soul band delivered throughout. Tickets are $14 plus service fees online, at the Fringe box office (Fringe Courtyard, 67 Nicholas St), and at satellite box offices (3rd floor, Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue and La Nouvelle Scène, 333 King Edward Ave). Five and ten Show Passes are also available.