Three days only – from Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23, 2026 – Toffan Rhythm Projects presents the Toronto International Tap Dance Festival (TITDF), celebrating the trailblazers and evolution of tap dance with performances, panel discussions, workshops and masterclasses. Presented at The Terminal Theatre, Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre, Randolph College for the Performing Arts and DROM Taberna.

Experience legacy, tradition & innovation in tap dance

After sold-out programming in 2022 and 2024, the biennial TITDF returns for its fourth edition. The 2026 lineup showcases a range of artistic approaches and lineages through deeply personal and globally resonant works.

Opening this year’s festival on August 21 at The Terminal Theatre is Milestones, a triple bill featuring tributes to three tap dance legends: 90-year-old tap dancer Joey Hollingsworth; an appearance from co-founder and artistic director of Manhattan Tap Heather Cornell; and Chicago’s Bril Barrett, an acclaimed solo artist, outreach trailblazer and leader in training some of the world’s most sought after tap dancers.

On August 22 at The Terminal Theatre the TITDF presents the split bill Convergence. Convergence opens with The Boys’ Club Tap Dance Collective presenting Ostinati, a 30-minute work that explores the cycles that shape lived experience and highlights solidarity and community among female-identifying artists. Closing the evening is With Far Hand from Boston’s Subject:Matter ensemble. With Far Hand explores tap as both movement and sonic composition, emphasizing the instrument-like qualities of the form through original music, improvisation and contemporary jazz influences.

Closing Night Jam & more!

On August 23 at DROM Taberna, celebrated Canadian tap dancer Victoria Miller will host the PWYC closing night jam, where festival artists, community members, dancers and audience members of all ages come together to celebrate the work, connection and shared experience of gathering.

The festival also hosts panel discussions moderated by Toffan Rhythm Projects Artistic & Executive Director Allison Toffan, as well as workshops and masterclasses.

About Toffan Rhythm Projects (TRP)

TRP cultivates a thriving presence for tap dance in Canada that bridges generations and communities. They have three main projects: Toronto International Tap Dance Festival, the outreach company Ripple Effect and Toronto Rhythm Initiative, which gathers tap dancers and musicians to collaborate. Through creation, mentorship, education and accessible programming, they engage youth, promote equity and support artists. Their work fosters audience growth, celebrates authentic expression and inspires future leaders of the form. Read more about them here.

(Photo credits: Toffan Rhythm Projects. Toronto International Tap Dance Festival.)

 

Event details

Presented by: Toffan Rhythm Projects 

Type of event: tap dance festival

Featured performers: Joey Hollingsworth (film tribute); Heather Cornell; Bril Barrett & Residency Dancers; The Boys’ Club Tap Dance Collective featuring Laura Donaldson, Elise McGrenera & Veronica Simpson & joined by Alexa Belgrave (piano), Amanda Sum (vocals) & Adrian Russouw (bass); Subject:Matter ensemble (piece by Ian Berg & André Sudol); & Victoria Miller & Band.

Dates: The festival runs from Friday, August 21 – Sunday, August 23, 2026

Featured performances & events:

Milestones: Friday, August 21 @ 8:00 PM ET – The Terminal Theatre (90 minutes)

• Film tribute to Joey Hollingworth
• Heather Cornell
• Bril Barrett & Residency Dancers

Convergence: Saturday, August 22 @ 8:00 PM ET – The Terminal Theatre (90 minutes)

• Boys’ Club Tap Collective performs Ostinati
• Subject:Matter performs With Far Hand

Closing Night Jam: Sunday, August 23 @ 8:00 PM ET – DROM Taberna (2 hours). Hosted by Victoria Miller & Band

Panel discussions: Occur throughout the festival.

• Friday, August 21 & Saturday, August 22 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM ET in The Terminal Theatre lobby
• Sunday, August 23 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM ET at Randolph College for the Performing Arts

Workshops, masterclasses, clinics & observer sessions: Held on Saturday, August 22 at Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre & Sunday, August 23 at Randolph College for the Performing Arts. Observer passes are limited. Please consult the schedule for details, plus age & experience requirements.

Duration: Varies. See featured performance, event & panel discussion running times above. Workshops run 55 minutes & masterclasses & clinics run 85 minutes.

Cost:

• Milestones (August 21) & Convergence (August 22) performances: C$50.50 including fees (each)
• Group rates: Groups of 10+ save C$5.00 per ticket. Group rates only available per show, not across multiple shows. Please contact Jessica at jessica.toffanrhythmprojects@gmail.com to obtain a promo code.
• Observer sessions: C$20.00 + fees & HST. 
• Workshops: C$40.00 + fees & HST. 
• Masterclasses & clinics: C$60.00 + fees & HST. 
• Closing Night Jam (August 23): Pay-what-you-can (PWYC) – choose one of their suggested ticket prices (C$10.00 – $40.00) or join them at the door and contribute any amount, including free!

Locations: The festival takes place at four locations in Toronto, Canada. Please refer to the schedule for specific workshop/class date & location details.

• Milestones (August 21) & Convergence (August 22) performances + panel discussions @ The Terminal Theatre, 207 Queens Quay West, Third Floor, Toronto, ON, M5J 1A7
• August 22 workshops, masterclasses, clinics & observer sessions @ Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre, 627 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON, M5V 3G3
• August 23 workshops, masterclasses, clinics & observer sessions + panel discussions @ Randolph College for the Performing Arts, 736 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON, M5S 2R4
• August 23 Closing Night Jam @ DROM Taberna, 458 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON, M5V 2A8

Trailer: Watch the trailer

Booking links:

• Book your Milestones tickets here.
• Book your Convergence tickets here.
• Book your PWYC closing night jam tickets here.
• Register for workshops, masterclasses, clinics and observer sessions here.

Contact details: Toffan Rhythm Projects; Event box office: BoxOffice@terminaltheatre.ca, TRP email: toffanrhythmprojects@gmail.com, toffanrhythmprojects.com

 

Content warning: All ages welcome for performances. For workshops and masterclasses, please consult the schedule for age and experience requirements.

The Terminal Theatre accessibility: The Terminal Theatre accessibility info here.

Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre accessibility: Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre accessibility info here.

Randolph College for the Performing Arts accessibility: There’s a ramp at the entrance to Randolph College (on the Lennox St. side of the building), which can be used to access the theatre. Accessible seating is available in the rear centre orchestra section. Please contact the venue for details: (416) 924-2243.

DROM Taberna accessibility: There’s a ground-level entrance and an accessible washroom on the main floor. Fair warning: That washroom occasionally moonlights as a staff storage closet. They’re working on it.

Refund policy: Please contact the organizer.