"Reggio the Hoofer"
Tap dancer
Reginald McLaughlin affectionately known as 'Reggio The Hoofer' has traveled around the world to preserve and perform authentic, traditional tap dance.
​
Reggio got his start dancing in Chicago's streets and subways, where he brought smiles to commuters' faces while developing his unique style of footloose, fancy-free hoofing.
Working with Urban Gateways, an educational institution for the performing arts, as a dancer and educator, Reggio combined art with learning to bring upbeat and informative presentations into schools, museums and libraries. As he delved deeper into tap's history, Reggio met and formed a dance partnership with fellow Chicagoan Ernest 'Brownie' Brown, the vaudeville and Cotton Club legend. Reggio's lively educational programs embody the tradition of tap with sparkling performances and rich stories about its roots.
While he studies and performs nationally and internationally, Reggio is based in Chicago, where he works with the Old Town School of Folk Music, The Chicago Department on Aging and Global Roots Out-Reach - which serves children in low-income schools.
Approximate cost range: Varies