PETITION TO THE CITY OF ATLANTA

Celebrate National Tap Dance Day — May 25, 2027 at Centennial Olympic Park

To: The City of Atlanta, Atlanta Mayor, Atlanta City Council, and the Atlanta Downtown community

We, the undersigned residents, artists, dancers, educators, families, visitors, and supporters of the arts, respectfully petition the City of Atlanta to officially recognize and celebrate National Tap Dance Day on May 25, 2027, with a free public celebration at Centennial Olympic Park.

We call on the City of Atlanta to work with Atlanta's tap dance community, local artists, cultural organizations, educators, and community partners to create a day of tap dance performances, demonstrations, workshops, music, educational programming, community participation, and overall celebration of the art—all completely free and open to the public.

Why May 25?

National Tap Dance Day is celebrated on May 25, the birthday of legendary entertainer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, whose extraordinary career helped establish tap dance as an important part of American performing arts and popular culture.

Tap dance is more than entertainment. It is a living American art form with deep roots in Black American history and culture, shaped by generations of Black dancers, musicians, choreographers, and innovators.

Atlanta has a rich history of supporting Black arts, culture, music, dance, and creative expression. We believe the city should have a visible public celebration that honors this history while creating opportunities for the next generation of tap dancers and audiences.

A Personal Experience That Sparked This Petition

My name is Keith Prater, and I am a professional tap dancer here in Atlanta.

While filming a tap dance video in Centennial Olympic Park, I was politely approached by local law enforcement and asked to leave the park. I respectfully asked where it was posted or established that I could not simply dance in the park under the circumstances.

I was not creating a public disturbance. The music was kept at a moderate level, and I brought my own portable dance board and equipment so that I would not damage or alter the park's memorialised integrity. It was a Friday afternoon, there were no planned events taking place where we were filming, and families and other members of the public were peacefully enjoying the sort of impromptu performance. 

What stayed with me was not simply being asked to leave. It was the larger question of visibility and access.

If Atlanta is a city that values arts, culture, history, and public spaces, there should be meaningful opportunities for Atlanta's tap dancers to share this uniquely Black American art form with the public in a respectful and organized way.

That experience helped inspire this petition.

Rather than simply asking what we cannot do, we are asking what we can build together.

Our Request

We respectfully ask the City of Atlanta to collaborate with Atlanta's tap dance community to establish a free National Tap Dance Day celebration at Centennial Olympic Park on May 25, 2027, featuring programming such as:

Live tap dance performances featuring Atlanta-based and visiting professional dancers
Community tap dance demonstrations and lessons
Free introductory tap classes for children, families, and adults
Youth and student performances
Historical and educational presentations about the origins and evolution of tap dance
Programming highlighting the contributions of Black American tap dancers
Live music and rhythm-based performances
Open community dance opportunities
Opportunities for Atlanta tap dancers, teachers, choreographers, musicians, and arts organizations to participate
Information about local dance programs and opportunities for young people
A celebration honoring the legacy of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
Additional family-friendly arts and cultural programming
Most importantly, we ask that the celebration be completely free and open to the public.