WHAT: New York City’s Times Square will come alive with dancing in the street when the
U.S. Postal Service officially unveils its Tap Dance Forever Stamps.
The famous Father Duffy Square in the heart of Manhattan’s Theatre District will set
the stage for the first-day-of-issue stamp ceremony celebrating this rhythmic stamp
series. The ceremony is in conjunction with the Tap It Out, Tap City, New York City
Tap Festival. It is free and open to the public.
The stamps showcase five photographs of a different tap dancer performing his or her
craft against a brightly colored background that highlights the dancer’s shaping and
movement. The photographs were taken by Matthew Murphy and the stamps were
designed by art director Ethel Kessler.
News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #TapDance and
#TapDancestamps.
WHO: Hon. John Barger, governor, U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors
Tony Waag, founding artistic/executive director, American Tap Dance Foundation Inc.
Matthew Murphy, stamp photographer
WHEN: Saturday, July 10, 2021, at noon EDT
WHERE: Father Duffy Square
Times Square
Seventh Avenue and West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
BACKGROUND: In Colonial America, dance moves with African origins became
intertwined with the rapid footwork of the Irish jig and the percussion
of English clog dancing. Whether cultures intermingled in the rural
South or in crowded city neighborhoods, the result was a budding
new set of hybrid dance forms based on a skilled and ever-changing
combination of movement and sound.
From its roots in popular entertainment, tap has grown into a
significant art form praised as a major American contribution to world
dance. As it continues to evolve through influences from jazz and hip
hop, this dynamic form of dance will be equally at home in the most
prestigious performance halls and on the streets, building on tradition
while staying fresh with the infusion of new cultural influences.
Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at
usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations
nationwide.