Tap Dancing at the Bluebird
A dance-centric literary event with a twist is coming to the Occidental Center for the Arts this Sunday
A literary-plus event called “Tap Dancing at the Bluebird & the Lifelong Benefits of Dance!” is coming to the Occidental Center for the Arts on Sunday, Sept. 28, from 4-6 pm. It’s free and open to all. The only catch? It’s more than just a talk, and those planning to attend may want to bring their dancing shoes.
Inspired by Sebastopol writer Christine Walker’s recently released dance-centric historical novel, Tap Dancing at the Bluebird (2025), the event will feature three west county women—Walker, Starr Hergenrather and Suze Cohan—informally discussing dance as it relates to the novel, their lives, and health in general—before some actual dancing begins.
Each of the three multi-talented speakers brings something unique to the table.
Christine Walker—a painter, songwriter, illustrator, literary writer and lifelong dancer—wrote Tap Dancing in part because of her grandmother’s diaries, which chronicled the Great Depression. Though fictionalized, many of the events depicted in the novel really happened to her forebears and influenced the themes of love, family and friendship that infuse the story.
The story itself describes the long, full life of protagonist Mattie, beginning in Kansas City in 1932, where, as a young woman, she learns to tap dance from Kip, a 15-year-old foot-loose traveler staying at her house. From there, her story jumps across decades and across America, where she encounters contemporary dance, salsa and social dancing along the way.
“So [Mattie’s] character arc is driven by dance, and the story of the book is driven by dance also,” Walker said.
In a review, Tony Award-nominated choreographer Kimi Okada described the book as “An epic novel about lives intertwined, unraveled, and re-woven, driven by the power of dance that shapes and transforms personal histories.”
Longtime local exercise physiologist and OCA “literary arm” Suze Cohan has a lifetime of dance experience under her belt. Additionally, she spent decades running local fitness programs and centers, including working as an aerobics director and running a wellness program.
“Of all the forms of aerobic exercise, dance is one of the most complete and complex because it involves full body movement, plus the brain,” she said. “If you’re learning steps and trying to memorize them, your brain is really expanding. So it’s a multi-level, multifaceted form of exercise.”
As well as addressing the many health benefits of dance, including its favorable effects on aging and memory process, Cohan plans to discuss—and upend—some of the myths that circulate about exercise in general.
Sebastopol’s Starr Hergenrather has taught theater arts and dance for over 50 years. Of all the dance forms, tap dance is her first and greatest love—but she is familiar with and proficient in many more. Denied dance classes as a child, she learned dance for many years by asking her friends who took classes to teach her what they knew. It wasn’t until the 1980s that she met her tap dance mentor, professional dancer, singer and actor Jack Williams.
“I have always said, ‘If you can walk, you can dance,’” Hergenrather said. “Just to introduce movement to people is always a thrill.”
The women all agree that dance is extremely healthy and more relevant than ever in today’s chaotic world.
“I think at this particular time we just need more and more things that bring us together and not bring us apart,” Walker said. “Whether you’re line dancing or couples dancing or just free-form dancing, you’re in a room together with people, you’re all moving to the same beat, and there’s something that happens when we all get together like that. We’re human beings, and it makes us feel good. We’re meant to be that way.”
“It’s one of the best ways to enhance your mood and your self-image as we get older,” said Cohan.
“Dance brings people together,” Hergenrather agreed. “It’s a great way to build community. You always find like-mindedness on a dance floor is what I find, whether it’s a class or free-form concert.”
Their discussion will be followed by a Q&A, then a break for refreshments, book sales and signings, after which the chairs will be pushed aside and Hergenrather will demo tap, soft shoe, swing and salsa for the audience, as well as teach some soft shoe steps. Then the music will be turned up, and the audience will be invited to take over the floor for a short dance party.
“Tap Dancing at the Bluebird & The Lifelong Benefits of Dance!” happens Sunday, Sept. 28, 4-6 pm, at Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental. Free. www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org
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