Japan's tap troupe no ordinary dancers
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    In August, Japanese tap dance troupe, Stripes, will be here to perform the cool power tap,"Funk-a-Step", which is no ordinary tap performance, but one blended with refreshing elements of hip hop and Stomp-like African drumming.

     Stripes was founded by Hiderboh, who began tap dancing at the age of six, his parents both professional dancers. He became a tap instructor when he was 16 and travelled to the United States when he was 22 to study with tap master Henry LeTang.

     Hideboh fuses different tap dance styles and music into "Funk-a-Step", which exemplifies his own unique style. After returning to Japan, he worked as a tap dance instructor and a choreographer.

     In 2003, Hideboh appeared in and acted as choreographer for the part of the dancing farmers for Takeshi Kitano's film, "Zatoichi ¡V The Blindswordman".

     Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Funk-a-step" will be staged from August 24 to 26 (Thursday to Saturday) at Hong Kong Cultural Centre and August 27 at Tuen Mun Town Hall.

     Tickets priced from $90 to $180 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistant (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for students and CSSA recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis). Please see the group booking discount scheme in the programme leaflet.

     For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7323 or visit the following websites: www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp. For reservations, please call 2734-9009. For credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. To book online, please visit, www.urbtix.hk.

     After the August 25 performance, Hideboh will stay on to meet the audience.

Ends/Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:15

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