Negative Tap Dancing

Kelly Werts of The Plaid Family, the inventor and leading exponent of velcro tap dancing, demonstrates his art at the 1996 Walnut Valley Festival. Velcro hooks are glued to the soles and heels of Kelly's shoes, and he dances on a square of rug. In regular tap dancing, the sound is made by the impact of the shoe on the floor; in velcro, or negative, tap dancing, the sound is made at the moment of separation. Velcro dancing, in principle, can be done in zero gravity.
Audiences had an opportunity to appreciate Kelly's artistry at the 1998 Walnut Valley Festival, September 17-20 in Winfield, Kansas. Kelly is also an expert spoon player and an award-winning fiddler and guitarist.
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All photographs copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 by Don McClane. All rights reserved. If you want to use one or two of these on your website, you probably can (I've never refused a legitimate request), but please ask first.