-- March 4 and 5 Kidfest came up with another winner this weekend when it staged `Jennifer's Dream', performed by William Orlowski's tap dance group from Canada.

This penultimate presentation by producer Paula Maguire for this year's season superbly underlines the philosophy behind her courageous venture: to bring the highest standards in children's theatre to Bermuda's young people. This she has achieved by engaging not only highly professional artists but those who demonstrate their belief in the cause of children's theatre by concentrating their efforts in this field.

William Orlowski is one of Canada's great dancers, who co-founded the National Tap Dance Company of Canada, receiving countless awards for his work on TV and film, both as a performer and choreographer.

The stereotype image of tap-dancing oscillates from the genius of Fred Astaire on the one hand, to rows of overweight dancing school brats on the other. The reality, however, is somewhat different, and after watching the latest Kidfest offering, there is a distinct feeling that this branch of the dance has been not so much neglected (although it has) as distorted.

Its roots, admittedly rather vague, and at least as fascinating as the similar flamenco dances of Spain, seem to derive from the cooler climes of northern Europe; `clog dancing' in heavy wooden shoes was popular amongst the poorer communities in 19th century Lancashire, Ireland and Holland and was exported along with the many emigrants who made their way to North America at that time. Gaining popularity in both black and white vaudeville, tap-dancing reached its zenith through early Hollywood musicals.

Orlowski is one of the few who has seen a greater potential for tap by using the uniquely evocative and rhythmic patterns as a method of dance narration.

This device was certainly used to some effect by such dancers as Antonio and Rosario, so it has always been something of a surprise that tap has, for the most part, been seen purely as a technical spectacle.

`Jennifer's Dream', set in rural Quebec, makes marvellous use of the melodic, traditional fiddle tunes of the area. It traces the story of a young girl whose natural love of dancing has been nurtured by her grandfather; when he dies, she no longer has the heart to dance until he appears to her in a dream and convinces her that his spirit will live on in her dances. A simple story, but also one that quietly underlines the importance of preserving a heritage and, on a perhaps more prosaic level, the message that older people have much to offer the younger generations.

The choreography is lively, and full of wonderful steps such as clogging, jigging, the shuffle and flap, the barnyard slide, a touch of the horn pipe and the square dance, to say nothing of a fascinating demonstration of traditional spoon-playing. It was superbly performed by its creator, William Orlowski and Leslie McAfee, with Kevin Etherlington as the father and Anne Marie Massicotte as the mother completing the excellent cast.

Prior to this `tap ballet', Orlowski and McAfee gave an exhilarating example of how tap can indeed take on the sound of the human voice, as they performed the brief but eloquent `Conversation'. In the space of a few minutes, they ran the gamut of emotions that erupt in a lovers' tiff.

Orlowski also presented in demonstration, some of the younger students who participated in his workshops held last week through the sponsorship of the National Dance Theatre of Bermuda at the Somerset School of Dance.

Sad to report, this excellent show which should have attracted any adult who is interested in dance, as well as children, was not supported as well as it should have been. Bermuda can only be the loser when it greets efforts such as Kidfest with such indifference.

Paula Maguire, a highly gifted dancer herself who formerly appeared as a regular on Nickleodeon's `The Elephant Show', has stated elsewhere that her purpose in forming Kidfest was to "inspire and motivate our young people through the performance arts to know no limitation, encourage self-expression and to be the best they can be.'' Our chattering, self-appointed experts who whinge, moan and wring their hands (but precious little else) over the so-called lack of inspiration and opportunity for the Island's youth, should be dragging themselves out of their armchairs to lend some practical support to ventures such as Kidfest.

Stars of the aforementioned, highly acclaimed `Elephant Show' -- namely, Sharon Lois and Bram, will be appearing in Bermuda on March 25 and 26.

Ticket holders should note that there will be a change of venue to the City Hall Theatre for this final Kidfest production. Advance reservations can be made by telephoning 236-1085.

PATRICIA CALNAN TAPPING A DREAM -- William Orlowski (right) as the grandfather, pictured with Leslie McAlfee (Jennifer) in a scene from `Jennifer's Dream', presented by the William Orlowski's tap dance company for Kidfest Bermuda.