Wheeler Park
You Can Dance—Outside!
Bruce Bradley, Tap Dance
During the months of August, September, and October, UMS’s popular You Can Dance series will be moving outdoors, where dancers and “curious movers” can participate while socially distanced.
These free workshops will be taught by local dance professionals at Ann Arbor’s Wheeler Park, located at 200 Depot Street, on five Saturdays from August 29 – October 24. Advance registration is required. In this workshop, Bruce Bradley teaches the basics of tap dance.
Total capacity will be limited in order to adhere to public safety guidelines. Sign-in will begin at 10 am and last until 10:25 am. If there is still capacity, walk-ups will be accepted after the sign-in period has closed. The class will begin at 10:30 am.
Artist Bio
Alfred Bruce Bradley is a tap dancer, visual artist, actor, vocalist, educator, and community activist. Born and raised in Flint, MI, Bradley is a graduate of Alabama State University, where he studied theater and earned a Bachelor of Arts education degree. His passion in theater arts led his career toward Off-Broadway shows such as One Mo’ Time, Staggerlee, A Raisin in The Sun, and Rollin with Stevens and Stewart. Through his experience in musical theater he started learning tap dance from Mickey Costello, Lynn Gibson, Kevin Ramsey, and Lloyd Storey. Bradley eventually left the road to give back to the community and raise his four children.
Bradley is the co-founder of Creative Expressions Dance Studio and the creator of Tapology Festival for Youth, which is designed to bring living legends, world-class musicians, and tap dancers to Flint to preserve the art of dance through education and performance. As an educator, Mr. Bradley taught theater at Northwestern High School and is an adjunct professor of tap dance at the University of Michigan-Flint. Mr. Bradley serves on the Board of Trustees at the Flint Institute of Music, the Whiting Advisory Council, as President of the Sunrise Rotary of Greater Flint, and former board member of The Greater Flint YMCA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be parking available?
Although there is not a designated parking lot, there is ample street parking nearby.
If I didn’t pre-register, can I just walk up?
Pre-registration is strongly recommended. However, depending on the demand for the class, walk-up registration is available beginning 5 minutes before each scheduled workshop and is open until spots are filled.
Do I need to wear a mask while participating in the activity?
Yes, all participants will be asked to wear a mask during the class in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
How will participants be separated from each other to ensure social distancing?
Each participant will be assigned an ~8–10 sq. ft. box, which will be delineated by chalk spray, to move within. There will also be a 5-foot gap between each box.
How can I cancel my registration if I am no longer able to participate?
To cancel your registration, please email Christina Mozumdar at cjmoz@umich.edu.
Will the event be canceled due to inclement weather? If so, how will I be notified?
Because the workshop will happen outdoors, it will be subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. In the event of cancellation, registered participants will receive an email notification from UMS the morning of the workshop. There will also be a general public post on UMS’s social media announcing the cancellation.
If there are newly-issued local, state, or federal health orders that prohibit outdoor gatherings, will the workshops be canceled? If so, how will I be notified?
Yes, the workshop will be canceled if there is a newly-issued health order that prohibits outdoor gatherings. In the event of cancellation, registered participants will receive an email notification from UMS after the new order has been issued. There will also be a general public post on UMS’s social media and website announcing the cancellation.
Do I need to have dance training to participate?
You do not need any formal training. UMS encourages broad participation and invites a mix of people of different ages and abilities to participate. Each class will be tailored for the “curious adult mover” rather than the “experienced dancer.” We aim to create a comfortable environment for curious beginners.
What should I wear for the workshop?
You should wear clothing and shoes in which you are comfortable moving. Ground surfaces may not be even, so please wear supportive footwear.
What happened to You Can Dance at YMCA?
UMS strongly values its partnership and collaboration with the YMCA. Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting strong restrictions on indoor gatherings, the YMCA building is temporarily closed to the public, making it impossible for the You Can Dance series to take place at the YMCA.