A surprising stage for dance: The subway platform

NEW YORK - You can tell when Ja'Bowen is feeling a song. The grounded power of his feet - whether tapping delicate, whispery notes or hitting rhythmic patterns with ferocity and speed - enlivens an unassuming place: a subway platform.

But beyond his sleek and supple feet, there is simply his presence. With rigor, elegance and humor, he takes the craft of tap seriously while disarming the crowds that pass through his impromptu theater.

Stumbling on Ja'Bowen is like uncovering a New York City art secret. The lucidity of his body and the music that it produces are steadying forces in an unpredictable space. For months now, this Chicago transplant has been bringing quality tap to the uptown F platform at Delancey Street/Essex Street.

What he creates with taps and a wooden board - his portable stage - is a reciprocal experience. His dances are containers for waves...