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Posted on 5/1/2023 11:52:25 AM
By Susan Gainen
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Robert the Tap Dancing Rooster
Robert the Tap Dancing Rooster changed my life
Robert was the first creature to visit my studio. He had been a regular rooster in a regular hen house for years until he saw someone (probably Gene Kelly) tap dancing on tv.
He said "I want to do that," and acquired tapes and taps and other implements of dance making. He practiced an hour a day, two hours a day, three hours a day, until he was tapping until 2 am.
A Rooster Epiphany
One morning he said "If I'm going to tap until 2 am, I don't want to crow at dawn." That very morning he met with the hens, shared his new insight, and was shocked to hear "Well, pal, crowing at dawn was your only job. If you don't want to do it, you're out of here."
Robert arrives at my studio
He came for a portrait and for career counseling, which was my day job at the time. When the painting was nearly finished, I asked the career counseling question: "So, Robert. What do you want to do?"
World's First Tap Dancing Rooster on Broadway
He drew himself up to his entire 3-foot height, and, with dignity, said, "I want to be the World's First Tap Dancing Rooster on Broadway."
"You'll have to leave Minnesota," I replied.
"I know," he said, and tucked his portrait under his wing and headed to New York.
Three weeks later...
The phone rang, and it was Robert. "I found the job of my dreams," he said -- somewhat tentatively. The heart of a Career Counselor began beating fast. "But I can't have it."
"Why?"
"I wanted to audition for the Rockettes, but they told me that I was too short."
Undeterred...
Robert stayed in New York, taught his very specific and intricate "Rooster Tap" to filled classes, and found a day job. He is the World's First Roller Skating Rooster Waiter, who works at a steakhouse just off Times Square that serves no poultry.
During Lockdown...
He taught his dance style on Zoom, and became a valued career counselor for humans and roosters, alike.
Lockdown Lifted...
His in-person and Zoom classes resume. His counseling calendar is packed with clients struggling with returning to in-person work issues. He considered several offers to develop energy drinks, but declined. "Eat a healthy diet," he insists, "and keep your cash."
Find Robert
He is always at The Art Shoppe at Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. He will be at 2023 Art-a-Whirl at Broken Clock Brewery (May 19-21), Art in the Hollow at Swede Hollow (June 3), Powderhorn Art Fair, (August 5-6) Powderhorn Park, Saint Paul Saints Art in the Park Aug 13 & 30, Sept 7 & 20).
