Event Description

The World Music Foundation welcomes legendary Chicago tap dancer Reggio “The Hoofer” McLaughlin for a special afternoon of storytelling and art. In “Reggio from Chicago: Readings from His One Man Show,” Reggio shares powerful stories from his life in dance—growing up in Chicago, learning the art of tap, and carrying forward the legacy of rhythm tap masters. Through readings, movement, and reflections, audiences will experience the history, humor, and soul of a lifetime dedicated to rhythm.

About Reggio McLaughlin

Reggio “The Hoofer” McLaughlin is a legendary Chicago tap dancer and master of traditional rhythm tap. He began his career performing in the subways of Chicago, developing the powerful rhythmic style that would become his signature. Over the decades, he has dedicated his life to preserving the classic tap traditions of the great African American hoofers who shaped the art form.

In 2021, Reggio was named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts, the highest honor in the United States for folk and traditional artists, recognizing his lifetime of work keeping the rhythm tap tradition alive. Known for his deep musicality, improvisation, and storytelling, Reggio continues to perform and share the history of tap with audiences around the world.