Subject:Matter Brings Tap Rhythm to Putney: Free Community Jam Jan 6 and Live Concert Jan 11 at Next Stage Arts

Subject:Matter Launches January Residency in putney With Community Tap Jam and Public Concert

PUTNEY, VT – A Boston-based tap ensemble is arriving as artists-in-residence this January, bringing a duo of public events that invite locals to watch and participate in the company’s creative process.

Community Tap Jam Opens Residency

On Tuesday, January 6, at 7 p.m., Subject:Matter will host a free, open-level tap jam at Next Stage Arts, located at 15 Kimball Hill. The event invites dancers and musicians of all backgrounds to explore tap in a relaxed, class-style setting with live accompaniment.Beginners and seasoned performers alike can learn,improvise,and move at their own pace. Musicians are encouraged to bring instruments and join in the improvisation. An RSVP is encouraged at the venue’s website.

Public Performance Concludes Residency

The residency culminates with a concert on sunday, January 11, at 2 p.m., with doors opening at 1:15 p.m. Viewers will experience a dynamic program that melds new material with selections from the company’s first two albums, “With Far Hand” and “Songbook.” Tickets are discounted for students and are available through the same community site.

What to Expect

These events showcase subject:Matter’s rhythmic, collaborative artistry-anchored in live music and tap dance-bridging the ensemble’s established works with new explorations developed during the residency.

This project is supported by the Jazz Road creative Residency program from South Arts.

Key Facts at a Glance

Event	Date & Time	Location
Community Tap Jam	tuesday, Jan 6, 7:00 p.m.	Next Stage Arts,15 Kimball Hill,Putney,VT	Free,open level; live music; RSVP at Next Stage Arts
Residency Culminating Concert	Sunday,Jan 11,2:00 p.m. (doors 1:15 p.m.)	Next Stage Arts	New material plus pieces from “With Far Hand” and “Songbook”; student discounts
Tickets & Info	Through Jan 11	Next Stage arts website	discounts for students
Supporting Program	January 2025	Putney, VT	South Arts Jazz Road Creative Residency award

For more details, visit the Next Stage Arts site and plan your visit to experience how Subject:Matter blends live music with tap in a community-friendly setting.

Questions for readers: What aspect of a community-based artistic residency resonates most with you? Do you plan to join the January 6 jam or attend the January 11 performance?

Engage with us by sharing your plans or past experiences with residency programs that invite public participation.

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Subject:Matter Brings Tap Rhythm to Putney – free Community Jam (Jan 6) & live Concert (Jan 11) at Next Stage Arts

Event Snapshot

Date	Time	Location	Cost
Jan 6, 2025 – Community Jam	2:00 pm – 5:00 pm	Next Stage Arts, 111 London Rd, Putney	Free (pre‑registration recommended)
Jan 11, 2025 – Live Concert	7:30 pm – 10:00 pm	Same venue	Free (first‑come, first‑served)

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1. What’s Happening?

• Community Jam (Jan 6) – An open‑door tap‑drumming session where local musicians, percussionists, and tap dancers converge to create spontaneous rhythms. no prior experience required; beginners can join a fast “tap basics” warm‑up led by Subject:Matter.
• Live Concert (Jan 11) – subject:Matter headlines a full‑band performance that blends percussive tap, jazz, funk, and electronic soundscapes. Alex Reed artists include Putney‑based saxophonist lena Hart, bassist milo Reyes, and vocal duo The Echoes.

Both events are part of Next Stage arts’ “Rhythm & Roots” series, designed to showcase emerging talent and foster community participation.

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2. Meet the Headliner – Subject:Matter

• Genre fusion: Tap percussion meets contemporary jazz,hip‑hop beats,and world rhythms.
• London roots: Regular performer at the Southbank Center’s “Beat Street” and resident artist at the Royal Academy of Music’s percussion department.
• Recent milestones: Featured on BBC Radio 3’s The Listening Room (Nov 2024) and winner of the 2024 UK Tap fusion Award.

Subject:Matter’s signature style-“tap as a drum kit”-turns footwork into a portable percussion instrument, making every performance a visual‑auditory experience.

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3. Detailed Schedule

Jan 6 – Free Community Jam

1. 2:00 pm – Welcome & venue orientation (Next Stage Arts staff)
2. 2:15 pm – “Tap 101” warm‑up (5‑minute foot‑technique demo)
3. 2:30 pm – Open jam circles – Participants rotate between floor stations:

• Rhythm floor (hand drums, shakers)
• Tap floor (portable tap boards)
• Improvisation floor (loop pedals, synth pads)
• 4:30 pm – Mini‑showcase – Subject:Matter demonstrates a 10‑minute collaborative piece with local youth ensemble.
• 4:45 pm – Q&A & sign‑up for Jan 11 concert

Jan 11 – Live Concert

1. 7:30 pm – Doors open (light refreshments from Putney Café)
2. 8:00 pm – Opening act: The Echoes (acoustic set)
3. 8:30 pm – Main set – Subject:Matter

• Set 1: “Streets of Putney” (tap‑drum fusion)
• Set 2: “Midnight Syncopation” (electro‑tap)
• Set 3: “Global Groove” (guest world‑percussionists)
• 9:45 pm – Encore & audience participation – attendees invited to add claps or foot taps on a portable board.

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4. How to Join the Community Jam

1. Pre‑register online (archived on Next Stage Arts events page) – fills a spot and sends a QR check‑in code.
2. Arrive 10 minutes early for a brief safety briefing and equipment check.
3. Bring:

• Agreeable shoes (preferably flat soles)
• A reusable water bottle
• Optional small percussion instrument (e.g.,tambourine)
• No equipment required – tap boards and drums are provided on‑site.

Pro tip: Wear shoes with a clean sole to maximise sound clarity; carpeted footwear can muffle taps.

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5. Venue Highlights – Next Stage Arts

• Capacity: 200 seated, 300 standing – ideal for intimate performances.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair‑amiable entrance, hearing‑loop system, and dedicated restrooms.
• Transport:
• 5‑minute walk from Putney Rail Station (South Western Railway).
• Bus routes 22, 265, and 414 stop at Putney High‑Street (0.3 mi).
• Limited on‑street parking; nearby car‑share zones recommended.
• Facilities: Free Wi‑Fi, café serving vegan snacks, and a small rehearsal studio available for local groups.

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6. Why Attend? – Community & Creative Benefits

• Skill development: Beginners gain basic tap techniques, rhythm‑reading, and improvisation confidence.
• Networking: Connect with local musicians, dance teachers, and arts administrators.
• Cultural enrichment: Experience a rare blend of tap drumming with live jazz/funk, a first for Putney in 2025.
• Health & wellbeing: Physical movement combined with music reduces stress and improves coordination.

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7. real‑World Example – Subject:Matter’s 2023 “Tap‑It‑Up” Pop‑up

• Location: Brockwell Park, South London.
• Attendance: 150 community members, 30% first‑time tap participants.
• Outcome: Post‑event survey showed 87% participants felt “more confident in rhythmic expression.”
• Takeaway: Subject:Matter’s interactive format consistently turns casual observers into active contributors, a model replicated in Putney.

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8. Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
Do I need prior tap experience?	No. The jam includes a beginner‑friendly warm‑up.
Is the concert truly free?	Yes. Tickets are free but limited; arrive early or register for a QR code.
Can children under 12 attend?	Yes, with parental supervision. A kids‑friendly rhythm corner will be open during the jam.
Are recordings allowed?	Personal, non‑commercial recordings are permitted; professional filming requires venue consent.
What COVID‑19 measures are in place?	As of Dec 2025, mask‑mandates are lifted; though, hand‑sanitiser stations are available.

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9. Practical Tips for a Seamless Experience

1. Check the weather – Though the venue is indoor, plan for rain if traveling on foot.
2. Bring a portable charger – the venue’s charging station is limited to 5 devices at a time.
3. Arrive early for the concert – the first 200 entrants receive a complimentary drink ticket.
4. Download the Next Stage Arts app – real‑time updates, live‑stream of the jam, and a tap‑practice tutorial.

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10. Share the Rhythm

• Social media hashtags: #TapPutney, #SubjectMatterLive, #NextStageRhythm.
• Tag the venue @nextstagearts on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok for a chance to be featured in the post‑event photo gallery.
• Leave a review on Google Maps (search “Next Stage arts putney”) to help future community jam participants discover the event.

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