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M.A.D.D. (Making A Difference Dancing) Rhythms, Chicago’s premier tap collective, is proud to celebrate its 25th Anniversary at the Chicago Tap Summit, October 2 - 4, at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street entrance). The premier Illinois tap dancing event of the year follows M.A.D.D. Rhythms Day in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 1. This Anniversary Summit includes three days of dance, discussion and classes while celebrating the tap dance community with tours and panels as well as the premiere of works from company Co-Founder Bril Barrett, who has been named to Newcity’s Players 50 Hall of Fame (2026) and received “The Hoofer Award” from Tap City in 2025, as well as a premiere from Co-Founder Martin “Tré” Dumas III. Additionally, a screening of “Beyond a Shuffle,” a new documentary about M.A.D.D. Rhythms will be shown. For information on the Chicago Tap Summit and the other events go to MADDRhythms.com. 

Chicago Tap Summit

October 2 - 4

Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street entrance)

The 2026 Chicago Tap Summit welcomes participants from Chicago and around the world for three days of dance, discussion and classes celebrating the tap dance community with instructors Maud Arnold, Bril Barrett, Ian Berg, Tristan Bruns, Andrew Carr, Ja’bowen Dixon, Star Dixon, Martin “Tré” Dumas III, Izaiah Harris, Caleb Jackson, Donnetta Jackson, Lisa LaTouche, KJ Sheldon and Mr. Taps.

Friday, Oct. 2

Classes on Friday, Oct. 2, the first day of the Summit includes a three-hour residency with Andrew Carr. Carr will teach participants dances from his show “To Love You Always.” Also, available is Caleb Jackson’s three-hour residency sharing with attendees dances from his show “Wonder.” Both performers from these residencies will participate in Sunday night’s closing ceremony and film screening at the Harold Washington Cultural Center. 

In addition, the Cultural Center will include a “Room Full of History,” Reggio’s traveling museum. The day will conclude with a welcome party for all. 

Saturday, Oct. 3

Saturday’s classes include a panel on the history of M.A.D.D. Rhythms from its P.O.V. and an evening of performances beginning at 7:30 p.m. 

The performances include two world premieres from the two founders of M.A.D.D. Rhythms. Bril Barrett’s “Oscar Plays Gershwin,” a vibrant tap production using dancers' feet as percussion to reimagine Oscar Peterson's George Gershwin album and Martin “Tré” Dumas III’’s “My Personal Stash,” a work that honors his father, Martin Dumas Jr., by transforming Rasputin Stash's soul/funk grooves into a vibrant tap percussive experience. 

Tickets and registration available at MADDRhythms.com.    

Sunday, Oct. 4

The Summit concludes with classes and the premiere of the documentary, “Beyond A Shuffle,” by Nora Clark, sharing the history of M.A.D.D. Rhythms and includes live performances from the Friday’s intensive classes. “Alienworx’ VP,”  Nora Clark’s first original work, this documentary is a collaboration with her 501(c)3 non-profit, Tap That Brass and is currently fundraising to complete production of this new piece on the M.A.D.D. Rhythms company. 

“Beyond A Shuffle” is about Bril Barrett, who started M.A.D.D. (Making A Difference Dancing) Rhythms as a way to lead a life of example for his younger siblings, as well as give back to the youth of Chicago. Barrett wanted to create a company whose model was one of respect for the art and history of tap dance and whose permanence would create stability for its members. 

More than two decades later, M.A.D.D. Rhythms has since touched the lives of thousands of dancers and young people, whether they were pursuing the incredible training of being a company member, needed a positive alternative to the streets of Chicago or just as an outlet to express themselves or improve their quality of life. For more information, please visit TapThatBrass.org. 

MORE FROM M.A.D.D RHYTHMS

New Logo

Marking the Company’s 25th Anniversary, a new logo, designed by Steven Bertrand has been created. The new logo celebrates the history and growth of the company by including the variety of performers that make up M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ key mission goals.

Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project 

Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.

Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph 

More information: HarrisTheaterChicago.org

Building on last year’s sold-out engagement, Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) returns to the Harris stage for their annual cohort performance, featuring ten of Chicago’s most exciting companies including M.A.D.D. Rhythms. With diverse artistic genres including African, contemporary, jazz, tap and many more, this performance honors Chicago’s Black cultural, social, political and artistic architects through movement, imagination and lineage.

The program, Dancing the Archive: Embodied Histories, Collective Power, realizes a living, embodied archive — honoring Chicago’s Black cultural, social, political and artistic architects through movement, imagination and lineage rather than literal representation. 

DC Tap Fest

September 4 - 7

The Westin DC City Center, 1400 M St. NW, Washington, DC

More information: DCTapFest.com 

M.A.D.D. Rhythms will travel to DC to participate in the largest tap festival in the world, attending master classes, dance battles and uniting with tap dancers from all over the world.

36th Annual Africa Festival of the Arts

Saturday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m.

Washington Park Sunken Garden, 55th Street and Cottage Grove Ave.

More information: AIHusa.org

M.A.D.D. Rhythms performs Saturday night of the Africa Festival of the Arts, one of the nation's premier celebrations of African and African Diaspora culture taking place Labor Day weekend.

Chicago Jazz Fest

Sunday, Sept. 6 at 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Von Freeman Pavilion Stage at Millennium Park, 201 N. Randolph St. 

More information: Chicago.gov 

M.A.D.D. Rhythms makes its Chicago Jazz Fest debut at this year’s Annual Jazz Fest in Millennium Park on the final day of the festival, Sunday, Sept. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

20th Annual Hyde Park Jazz Fest

September 26 - 27

Pickens Stage, Midway Plaisance at S. Ellis Ave.

More information: HydeParkJazzFestival.org 

On the final day of the festival, Sunday, Sept. 27 from 5 to 6 p.m., the Hyde Park Jazz Fest will present “M.A.D.D. Vibes: Thaddeus Tukes Quintet” in collaboration with M.A.D.D Rhythms, performing excerpts of “WONDER.”

Inaugural Gala

Sunday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.

Harold Washington Cultural Center, Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. (47th Street entrance)

More information: MADDRhythms.com

M.A.D.D. Rhythms hosts its first gala in the organization's history. The evening event will include dinner, presentations and an auction. 

Chicago Tap Allstar’s Winter Wonderland 

Saturday, Dec. 12 at 12 p.m.

Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Martin Luther King Dr.

More information: ChicagoTapAllstars.com 

M.A.D.D Rhythms and Chicago Tap Theatre collaborate as the Chicago Tap Allstars in the annual “Winter Wonderland,” showcasing festive holiday jazz music and performance. This year, in addition to the holiday performances and special guests, M.A.D.D. Rhythms will perform excerpts from Bril Barrett’s “Oscar Plays Gershwin.”

Winter Wonderfest

Saturday, Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. 

Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Martin Luther King 

More information TBA

M.A.D.D. Rhythms joins Art Partners-in-Residence of the Harold Washington Cultural Center for a holiday celebration including vendors, events and performances. 

ABOUT M.A.D.D. RHYTHMS

M.A.D.D. (Making A Difference Dancing) Rhythms, now in its 25th year, is a phenomenal tap dance collective whose “SOLE” purpose is to spread the love and joy of tap worldwide. What started as Bril Barrett and Martin Dumas III’s formula for giving back, is a full-fledged 501 (c) 3 performing arts company, quickly gaining a reputation for representing the true essence of tap: RHYTHM! The company is composed of young, versatile tap dancers from all over Chicago. Their ages range from 17 to 48 years old, and their backgrounds are equally diverse. The one thing they all have in common is a love for “the dance.”

M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ mission is to preserve, promote and contribute to this art form called tap. They teach its history, represent its culture and advocate for its future. M.A.D.D. Rhythms use this beautiful dance/music form to make a difference in the under-served communities of this world by connecting and caring for the youth of this world. Believing that having access and options gives a child a greater chance at a positive life, M.A.D.D. Rhythms spread the joy, love, discipline and expression of tap to as many children as they humanly can!

M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ performance opportunities, in short, have included: Dance Africa Chicago, Dance Chicago, The Stars of “Dance Chicago” in Istanbul, Turkey, M.A.D.D. Rhythms Canada’s “Release Yourself” and “Great Feets of Rhythm,” Downbeats Canada’s “Embrace the Rhythm,” Miami’s Art-Deco Festival, An Expo for Today’s Black Woman, Kwanzaa Festival, The African Festival of the Arts, St. Louis Tap Festival, Boys and Girls Clubs National Conference, the Chicago Historical Society’s Summer Performance Series, performances at Auditorium Theatre with Trinity Dance and DuSable Museum’s educational theater series. They have also produced 11 full-length productions, created the annual Chicago Tap Summit and educated more than 200 students via The M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy.

In an effort to continuously give back to their communities, they have also worked with many public and private schools and volunteered performances for various community affiliated organizations including A.C.E.S. (Athletes Committed to Educating Students), Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, Nikola Tesla Alternative High School for Girls, TCA Health and Nutrition Fair, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and Rainbow House.

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce the cast and creative team for Ride the Cyclone, September 16 - October 25. Ride the Cyclone is presented with book, music and lyrics by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell. The Metropolis production is directed by original American cast member Lillian Castillo, and music directed by Carolyn Brady. Previews are Wednesday, Sept. 16 through Friday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. The regular performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The performance on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. will be closed captioned and the performance on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. will be ASL interpreted. Tickets are now on sale from $25 to $49 at MetropolisArts.com or by calling the box office at 847.577.2121.

In a now-abandoned theme park not so long ago, six teenagers hurtled to their death on the roller coaster The Cyclone. Now, those teens are back from the afterlife, with all of their unlived dreams, potential, hopes, and fears in tow. They grapple with the lives they led on Earth and the choices they made – all except a mysterious and headless girl named Jane Doe, who has no memory of her past. As instructed by a fortune-telling machine named The Amazing Karnak, the teens need to decide who amongst them will receive the gift of returning to their life. As they fight to be the one to return, they realize that life's ups and downs, tragedies and victories, love and loss are all just part of the ride.

An added bonus to the Metropolis production features Director Lillian Castillo. Castillo is the original "Constance" on the world premiere cast recording. She originated the role in the American premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater and continued performing in the Off-Broadway, Seattle and Atlanta productions.

The cast of Ride the Cyclone includes Alex Merkel (Ocean); Eric Amundson (Mischa); Eldon Warner-Soriano (Ricky); Diana Marilyn Alvarez (Constance); Dave Honigman (Karnak); Amelia Tam (Jane Doe); Peyton Owen (Noel); Connar Brown Sprenger (U/S Ocean); Eli Blanks (U/S Mischa); Aidan Leake (U/S Ricky); Rylee Michelle (U/S Constance); Ian Rigg (U/S Karnak); Z Mowry (U/S Jane Doe) and Joel D'Aroya (U/S Noel).

Ride the Cyclone's creative team is Lillian Castillo (director); Carolyn Brady (music director); Mandy Modic (choreographer); Angie Miller (scenic designer); Denise Karczewski (lighting designer); Sarah Ramos (sound designer); Rachel Boylan (costume designer); Miguel Ramos (wig and hair designer); Kelli Lawrence (props designer) and Tony Churchill (projections designer).

ABOUT LILLIAN CASTILLO, DIRECTOR

Lillian Castillo is honored to make her professional directorial and Metropolis debut. She is a proud Chicago actor, singer and acting coach who has had the pleasure of performing at many of Chicago's theatrical homes. Her most recent credits include: On Your Feet at Drury Lane Theatre; Titanic, Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat, 1776 and In the Heights at The Marriott Theatre; The Music Man at the Goodman Theatre and Comedy of Errors, Taming of the Shrew and of course the American Premiere of Ride the Cyclone at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Lillian spent 5 years workshopping Ride the Cyclone and bringing life to Constance Blackwood. She is thrilled to have punched her ticket to take this ride again from a new seat.

ABOUT CAROLYN BRADY, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Carolyn Brady returns to Metropolis after her debut as MD/Piano Conductor in The Wedding Singer this past spring. She operates a Chicagoland and national voice studio where her clients have appeared in the Broadway casts of The Book of Mormon and & Juliet; National Tours of The Book of Mormon and The Prom; NBC's "The Voice" and locally at Drury Lane, Marriott Theatre, Mercury Theater, Music Theater Works, Paramount, Porchlight Music Theatre and more. A four-time nominated music director, she has MD'd for Drury Lane (A Chorus Line, Cinderella, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, A Christmas Carol), Steppenwolf (Lookout Series), Marriott Theatre (Elephant & Piggie), Paramount School of the Arts (The Lightning Thief, Mean Girls, & Matilda Jr.) and most recently she served as MD and Piano Conductor for Into the Woods at Saugatuck Center for the Arts in MI. She's a proud member of CFM Local 10-208. IG: @carolynbradymusic

ABOUT METROPOLIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is a vibrant cultural hub that enriches the community through inspiring live performances, creative arts education and impactful partnerships. It fosters artistic excellence, cultivates multi-generational connections and offers inclusive experiences that engage and uplift all community members. Located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, Metropolis is not just a theatre, it is the cultural pulse of the area, surrounded by premier shopping, dining and nightlife. Metropolis offers a dynamic year-round season of professional theatre, comedy, concerts and cabaret performances along with engaging arts education for ages 3 to 85 years old. Serving more than 65,000 patrons annually from across Chicagoland and beyond, Metropolis plays a pivotal role in the community. It provides arts education programs that support thousands of aspiring young artists, as well as community engagement initiatives like the Third Act Players (musical theatre for thespians over 50), Crescendo Chorus (for singers over 55), Flourish in the Footlights (for young artists with disabilities) and Clearbrook on Cue (for artists with disabilities). Metropolis is proud to partner with local organizations such as Endeavor Health, Arlington Heights Senior Center and Clearbrook. Scholarships are available for students at the School of the Performing Arts to ensure access to the arts for all.

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce the cast and creative team for Ride the Cyclone, September 16 - October 25. Ride the Cyclone is presented with book, music and lyrics by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell. The Metropolis production is directed by original American cast member, Lillian Castillo, and music directed by Carolyn Brady. Previews are Wednesday, Sept. 16 through Friday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. with a press opening Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. The regular performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The performance on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. will be closed captioned and the performance on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. will be ASL interpreted. Tickets are now on sale from $25 to $49 at MetropolisArts.com or by calling the box office at 847.577.2121.