On a recent June afternoon, the curtains at the Gailliard Auditorium opened, and the lights flashed onto bodies as they twirled and moved to the rhythm of the music. Soon the stage alive with dancers each moving to her trained ears. We spotted the “Dancing Tulips,” Felice and Liza , as we settled into our comfortable seats to watch the talented perform. Of course, the best were the purple-clad “Tulips” who moved to the jazz rhythm of “Number One” From Stayin’ Alive. With the “Lullaby of Broadway” came the tap, tap, tap of metal striking wood resonating in our ears. Our eyes were treated to top hats, canes, and feathers moving across the stage in unison.
Mom

Below is Felice’s poem to her class as it appeared in the program:

We are the ladies in boas of purple feather
Watch us tap and jazz altogether
Broadway showgirls we may seem
Oh, wait, that was in my dream

The “Tapping Tulips” this year have flowered
We are now feeling dance empowered
Cincinnatis, maxi-fords and ball changes
We certainly have broadened our ranges

This year we have added a jazz number
It definitely will not make one slumber
“Number One” has been ringing in our ears
Our pas de bourrees will garner some cheers

Our teachers have been so patient with us
Sometimes we know they want to fuss
Next year we promise to practice more
Maybe we will perform an encore