In 1977, when Brenda Bufalino's documentary Great Feats of Feet: A Portrait of the Jazz and Tap Dancer was released, jazz and tap dancing were part of a bygone era. Bufalino was a tap instructor and SUNY New Paltz professor with an interest in the dance's culture and greats—members of the "Copasetics Club," a group of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson idealizers and retired African-American dancers. They met up weekly to practice routines and share swing era stories. Members included entertainers like James "Buster" Brown, Charles "Honi" Coles, and Albert "Gip" Gibson. Bufalino's documentary launched tap dance back into mainstream American culture, and the performance limelight. Forty years later, the Bessie-Award-winner returns to showcase her documentary at the Rosendale Theatre. December 11 at 3pm. Tickets are $10 for members, $12 non-members, $6 for children 12 and under. (845) 658-8989; Rosendaletheatre.org.
