OC TAP FESTIVAL FAQ
FESTIVAL DATES
July 12th-July 16th, 2023
Residency programs will begin on 7/12/23 and master classes & main festival events will begin the morning of 7/13/23.
LOCATION OF FESTIVAL
Shorebreak Hotel:
500 Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach, CA 92648
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Please click here to view our schedule by level.
AIRPORT OPTIONS
John Wayne Airport (SNA) - A 20-25 minute drive to the festival's location.
Long Beach Airport (LGB) - A 25-35 minute drive to the festival's location.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) - A 60 minute drive to the festival's location.
Ontario International Airport (ONT) - A 90 minute drive to the festival's location.
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) - A 90 minute drive to the festival's location.
HOTEL OPTIONS
There are plenty of hotels nearby. Alternatively, renting a private residence at www.airbnb.com is a great option and can be really affordable! Many attendees typically roommate with friends to save money and to share the awesome experience!
Stay beachfront at our festival's location, Shorebreak Hotel! Click here to access our group rate reservation page.
To make a reservation by phone, please call: 1-800-546-7866 and ask for the group code: "OCB"
The hotel has reserved a certain amount of rooms at a discounted rate for our event. It's on a first come first serve basis. If the group rate is not available, and you wish to stay at the host hotel, you will have to book at the hotel's normal rate. Alternatively, below are other options to consider.
Here are hotel options that are all located within walking distance to the festival. Many of these hotels offer Senior Citizen (AARP), AAA, and Government/Military discounts.
Here are hotel options that are driving distance (10-15 minutes) to the festival and may be the most affordable. Many of these hotels offer Senior Citizen (AARP), AAA, and Government/Military discounts.
GETTING AROUND
The festival is located just steps to the beach and walking distance to an abundance of dining and retail shopping options. There is plenty to do and see, all within walking distance. In the case you need vehicle transportation and don't have a vehicle of your own, Uber, Lyft, Bike Cruisers & Taxis are all great options to getting around. For those with vehicles, we highly recommend taking a cruise down famous Pacific Coast Highway and take in the ocean breeze and views on the way!
ENTERTAINMENT
The festival is truly located in one of the best and sought out parts of California. The beautiful beach is the back drop to your experience. Southern California has much entertainment to offer for everyone in the family including Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, art galleries, wine tasting experiences, shopping, picturesque golfing locations, coastal hiking, and many jaw dropping beaches!
To learn more about Orange County and fun things to do, please click here.
FACULTY
Click here to view our world-renowned faculty.
Faculty may be subject to change due to special circumstances. We reserve the right to change our faculty lineup with or without notice.
OPENING NIGHT PARTY
Our opening night party will occur on the first evening of the festival and will include our So. Cal Tap Jam, cutting contest, live music, a photo booth, and much more! All festival pass holders and their accompanying families are welcome to attend. This event is included with a purchased festival pass.
SO CAL TAP JAM
The So. Cal Tap Jam is open to all festival attendees who have purchased a festival pass. It is a safe and inspiring place for tap dancers of all levels to improvise with other tap dancers. It's also a great time to connect and express. This is an optional event but it is highly recommended that dancers participate. This event takes place at our opening night party.
CUTTING CONTEST
The Cutting Contest is a friendly improvisation conversation between dancers in the same level/age range. This is a great opportunity for students to display their musicality, timing, technique, and skills. The winners of each level/age group will receive an awesome prize worth $250+! Our cutting contest is for ages 13 years and older. Participation is optional but highly encouraged. This event takes place at our opening night party.
TAP TALK SESSIONS
Those who purchased a festival pass will have free of charge access to our "Tap Talk" sessions.
"Tap Talk" sessions are designed and centered around tap dance education, tap dance history, and our panel discussion with our world-renowned faculty.
FESTIVAL CLOSING CONCERT
Show information and location will be shared soon. Tickets are not included with festival passes and are sold separately. Everyone is encouraged to purchase tickets to the closing show when they become available- our closing show typically sells out each year!
RESIDENCIES
Residencies will perform in our festival's closing concert! All residency students will need to purchase a ticket to our closing show in order to watch.
Participating in our residencies is not included with our festival passes and is an extra fee.
To learn more about our residencies, please click here.
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
The OC Tap Festival Artist-In-Residence program is designed to elevate and up-and-coming choreographer in their artistic journey by providing support and a platform to present their work. This is an invitational program- no auditions are held.
FESTIVAL SHOWCASES
We are happy to present two exciting showcases. Please read more about each showcase below.
Participating in a showcase is an additional cost and is not included with a festival pass.
Attendees who are fully registered for a festival pass are eligible to participate in our festival showcases.
We will be in touch via email with all tap dancers who register and pay to participate in our showcases, to collect music and other important performance details.
LIVE! At The Fest Showcase:
A featured showcase that will provide high intermediate to advanced level tap dancers the opportunity to perform a live improvised solo, accompanied by the OC Tap Festival Jazz Band, in a family friendly Jazz nightclub atmosphere. Each performer will receive private one on one feedback and guidance from our world-renowned faculty. There will be no coaching during this process, no rehearsal, and each tap dancer must be comfortable with the following:
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Introducing themselves to the audience
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Provide a standard jazz tune, its arrangement, and its version prior to performing (we will touch base with a performance form and deadline information)
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Easily and quickly communicate the arrangement to the band
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Performance has to be improvised
Choreographed Solo, Duo & Small Group Showcase:
A dynamic showcase that will provide tap dancers the opportunity to perform a choreographed solo, duo, or in a small group (3-9 tap dancers) number. Performances will include live adjudication by our world-renowned faculty. The showcase is not a competition and is hosted in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Solo performances may not exceed three-minutes and small group numbers may not exceed three and a half minutes.
MEALS
Meals are not provided by the festival. There are food options at the hotel as well as an abundance of dining options within walking distance. Please feel free to bring your own food. Only water will be allowed in the classrooms.
ITEMS TO BRING TO THE FESTIVAL
Tap shoes, beachwear, water, snacks, extra pair of tap shoes, socks, band-aids, camera, comfortable dance clothes, i.e. leggings, tank tops, shorts, notebook and pen.
RECORDING AND TAKING PICTURES
Recording or taking pictures during class is not permitted, unless the instructor states it is okay.
Recording or taking pictures during our closing concert is not permitted. No exceptions.
SWITCHING LEVELS
Switching levels is not allowed nor is taking classes in a level you are not registered for. If a dancer feels they have registered for the incorrect level and would like to switch to another level, please see us at our registration table.
PARENT/GUARDIAN CLASSROOM OBSERVATION
Parents/Guardians are not allowed to observe classes.
CHANGES TO EVENTS
Events may be subject to change due to special circumstances. While we don't anticipate changes to our events, we reserve the right to change events and festival details with or without notice.
LEVEL INFORMATION
ADVANCED/PROFESSIONAL:
Teen to Adult tap dancers with 5 years or more of advanced level experience. This level is for the mature tap dancer with advanced skills in technique and musicality. This level moves fast. Must be at least 13 years old to participate in this level.
HIGH INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED:
Pre-teen to adult tap dancers with at least 3 years of High Intermediate/Advanced level tap dance training.
INTERMEDIATE:
Youth to Teen tap dancers with at least 4-5 years of tap dance training and at least 2 years of Intermediate level experience.
Advanced Beginner tap dancers, age 9+ with at least 3 years of tap dance training may also take this level but please note this level will be taught at an Intermediate skillset level.
INTERMEDIATE/HIGH INTERMEDIATE ADULT:
The Intermediate/High Intermediate Adult level will be an environment meant to inspire, challenge, and elevate tap dancers in a space dedicated to adults ages 18 and up. With focus on tap exercises, rudiments, combinations, music theory, and history- tap dance instructors and adults will be challenged with new ideas and footwork at a pace that is comfortable and understandable. Whether you are a tap enthusiast or a tap dance educator, you will walk away filled to the brim with a better understanding of movement and approach, and lots of information to continually work on long after the festival. This level is great for tap dance instructors who wish not to take the fast paced Advanced/Pro level.
*We will monitor each level and reserve the right to move a dancer to another level depending on skillset. This is done to ensure each dancer is receiving the best instruction and experience, as well as to uphold the integrity of the classroom environment.
SINGLE DAY PASSES:
Single Day Passes are sold on a first come first serve basis. Single day passes are not guaranteed to be offered and in the event they are offered, we will send an email communication to everyone who has subscribed to our email list.
RETURN AND REFUND POLICY:
No returns or refunds, all sales are final.
In the event our festival is cancelled by Government officials or due to pandemics and/or natural disasters, or for any other reason, we will credit funds towards a postponed festival. Please email us at: info@octapfestival.com with any questions.
We welcome all questions. If you have a question that is not covered above, please fill out the "Contact Us" form below or email us at: info@octapfestival.com and we will be happy to help!