Photo // Briauna Oviedo

By: Cienna King

Photographer & Staff-Writer

Are you ready for this holiday season? IU South Bend’s Tap and Kickline sure is! With two performances this December, Tap and Kickline is hard at work to bring the spirit of Christmas to South Bend.

The IU South Bend Tap and Kickline has been performing for 13 years under the direction of Karen Pajor. Currently, Tap and Kickline stands strong at 12 members, including current IU students along with alumni of IU. They perform at events year round, ranging from campus events like IU South Bend basketball games and Boo to You to community events like ArtBeat. December is a particularly busy time for the group. 

On Dec. 6, the Kickline braved the frosty weather to showcase their talent at the annual tree lighting in Downtown South Bend. The high-kicking ladies performed two routines for the event.

Their next performance is on Dec. 13 at IU South Bend’s annual Sock Hop. This event will showcase the talent of the Tap and Kickline, along with IU South Bend’s choir, jazz band and theatre department. Kickline will perform four numbers during this show, which will be held in the Northside auditorium at 7 p.m. Admission to the Sock Hop is free, but the box office will accept donations to support the Family Justice Center of St. Joseph County.

For the third year in a row, Tap and Kickline will also include guest dancers from Penn, Saint Joseph, Westview and Northridge High Schools.

“I always love the Sock Hop, it is one of my favorite performances,” Tap and Kickline instructor Karen Pajor said. “I love working with the jazz band and the choir and it is so exciting to perform to live music. It’s just super fun because we open up our campus to the community.” 

For photos and updates, visit the Tap and Kickline on Facebook or Instagram @iusbtapandkickline.