OC TAP FESTIVAL FAQ
FESTIVAL DATES
July 10th-July 14th, 2024
Residency programs will begin on 7/10/24 and master classes & main festival events will begin the morning of 7/11/24.
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Our closing festival concert will take place on Sunday, 7/14/24 and will conclude around 10pm. We recommend departing the festival on Monday, 7/15/24.
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LOCATION OF FESTIVAL
Shorebreak Hotel
500 Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach, CA 92648
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All festival events including our closing concert will be held at the Shorebreak Hotel.
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FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
2024 schedule will be shared soon.
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FESTIVAL PASSES
Festival Passes includes:
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Access to all master classes for the level purchased for all 4 days
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Access to all "Tap Talk" sessions, including our Artist Panel Discussion and our "Tap Talk" interview with our 2024 Honoree
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Access to attend the "Up Next! @ The Fest" show
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Access to the Opening Night So. Cal Tap Jam Party with live music
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Access to attend the Choreographed Solo, Duo & Group Showcase
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Access to participate in beach yoga with Caleb Teicher
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*There is no additional registration fee.
*Festival closing concert tickets, participation in residencies and/or showcases, and specialty master classes are not included with any passes. These must be purchased separately.
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AIRPORT OPTIONS
John Wayne Airport (SNA) - A 20-25 minute drive to the festival's location.
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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.
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Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) - A 90 minute drive to the festival's location.
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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!
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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.
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Click here to book online under our discounted rate.
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Call 1-800-KIMPTON and ask the group code "OT1"
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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. ​
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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. ​
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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!
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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.
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ARTIST LINEUP
Artist lineup may be subject to change due to special circumstances. We reserve the right to change our artist lineup with or without notice.
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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.
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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.​
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TAP TALK SESSIONS
Those who purchased a festival pass will have free of charge access to our "Tap Talk" sessions.
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"Tap Talk" sessions are designed and centered around tap dance education, tap dance history, and our panel discussion with our world-renowned faculty.
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FESTIVAL CLOSING CONCERT
Tickets are not included with festival passes and are sold separately. Everyone is encouraged to purchase tickets to the closing show at their earliest convenience- our closing show typically sells out each year!
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Our closing show is open to the public.
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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.
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Participating in our residencies is not included with our festival passes and is an extra fee.
SPECIALTY MASTER CLASSES
​LIVE! At The Fest Experience:
Designed for the mature tap dancer, age 13+, this specialty master class will be co-taught by Masters Sam Weber, Max Pollak, and Anthony Morigerato, accompanied by live music by the OC Tap Fest Jazz Band! From picking a jazz tune, discussing common missteps that may occur, to crafting an arrangement in a LIVE Jam setting- you don’t want to miss this intimate opportunity in exploring all that is tap dance, improvisation, and live music. This master class is 2 hours in length and will have limited capacity. ​This master class is not included with festival passes and must be purchased separately.
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Rhythmic Harmony - Music Theory:
A master class designed for the Intermediate tap dancer where our Music Director, Ryan Knudsen will teach students how to read/understand rhythms and how to separate limbs and parts of minds to make harmony on our own. This master class will be one hour and 30 minutes in length and will have limited capacity. This master class is not included with festival passes and must be purchased separately.
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STUDENT SHOWCASE
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 four minutes. For those that purchase to participate in our showcase, we will be in touch via email to collect performance information, such as music.
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.
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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.
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RECORDING AND TAKING PICTURES
Recording or taking pictures during class is not permitted, unless the instructor states it is okay.
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Recording or taking pictures during our closing concert is not permitted. No exceptions.
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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.
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PARENT/GUARDIAN CLASSROOM OBSERVATION
Parents/Guardians are not allowed to observe classes. ​
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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.
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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.
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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.
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*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.
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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.
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RETURN AND REFUND POLICY:​
No returns or refunds, all sales are final.
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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.
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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!