By Wilma Allen
If you’re looking for some world-class musical thrills and excitement this summer but prefer to stay close to home, do not miss this opportunity.
John Manzari, one of the country’s top tap dancers, is taking July 13 off from the cast of the Broadway musical, “Funny Girl,” to entertain us here on Amelia Island. He and a handpicked jazz quartet will be on stage at the First Baptist Church in “The First Set,” his own high-energy show with tap dance as the focal point.
Manzari premiered “The First Set” in 2021 at the renowned Birdland jazz club in New York, and has since performed it in Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina. The show features traditional and modern musical selections, embellished with incredible dancing, talk, singing, solos, jazz riffs and lots of improvisation.
Manzari is an Ovation Award and Helen Hayes Award-nominated dancer, singer, actor, choreographer, and teacher. He studied and frequently performed with legendary dancer/choreographer, Maurice Hines, and has a similar affable, engaging style. He has appeared in original shows in top New York clubs including Dizzy’s Club in Jazz at Lincoln Center, and performed in movies, on stage, and even with symphony orchestras.
A favorite in three Amelia Island Dance Festivals, Manzari will be back again in September for the 2023 Festival. But this upcoming show will stand on its own like a concert, says AIDF President, Susan Dodge. Rather than doing one or two numbers, John will command the stage for a full 90 minutes with the musicians. “It’s not just me. It’s us together, having a vibe and presenting for the audience,” he says.
According to Manzari, tap takes two fine arts and ties them neatly together. It is a bridge between music and dance. You can close your eyes and enjoy the music; block your ears and enjoy the dance; and best of all, you can experience the joy of it all together. “Everyone can envision what it’s like to make music with their feet,” he says. “They know what it looks like for people to move, and they know what things sound like. Tap is very accessible.” It’s an art form everyone can easily understand, and improvisation is a big part of it.
When you watch and hear Manzari skim across the stage making music with his feet, you’ll marvel at his grace, skill and athleticism. Tap dancing in all its forms requires intense control, coordination and dexterity.
The concert is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 13 at First Baptist Church on Eighth Street, which has hosted other musical superstars: Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, Bela Fleck, and even, last January, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine.
Order your tickets at the website, ameliaislanddancefestival.org. And while you’re on the site, check out the Gallery section, where you’ll find striking videos of the growing dance movement on Amelia Island.