Brenda Bufalino is a national treasure who's also a local legend. As a soloist, and choreographer/director of the American Tap Dance Orchestra, Bufalino has performed and taught internationally for over 30 years. She's collaborated with her partner and mentor the great Charles "Honi" Coles, as well as Gregory Hines, the Nicholas Brothers, and other giants of tap dance. As a jazz and tap dancer, singer, poetess, and composer, she dominated stages and studios in New York, Boston, and beyond through the 1970s and `80s, and is renowned for improvisational fearlessness, acoustic innovation, and wildly original choreography. Bufalino's called the Hudson Valley home for decades; founding the Dancing Theater in New Paltz in 1974 and creating "Gertrude's Nose: A Tap Opera" in 1996.
"Brenda Bufalino: Tapping Into 85" at the Rosendale Theater is a birthday celebration of sorts and will feature tap dancing, singing, and storytelling, with a sneak peek of a new documentary by her dear friend and American Tap Dance Foundation cofounder Tony Waag. Joining her will be vocalist Teri Roiger and bassist John Menegon. Tickets for the performance, happening at the Rosendale Theater on December 3 at 7pm, are $20 for non-members and $15 for members. Rosendaletheatre.org
