Now in its 20th year, the tap dance company M.A.D.D. Rhythms is adding four new dancers, announced Wednesday. Ivy Anderson, Izaiah Montaque Harris, Caleb Jackson and Molly Sute join this extraordinary group of hoofers, led by artistic director Bril Barrett.
Go crazy! Whether you’re a dancing fool or a fool for dance, April is Dance Month in Chicago, so kick up your heels and head out for a month that showers the city with the breadth, diversity and artistic richness of the Chicago dance community. In addition to the dozens of dance performances and classes taking place throughout the month, Chicago Dance Month Open Doors, Open Spaces partners are offering FREE events that welcome dance fans to an open rehearsal, a site-specific performance in an unusual venue or a discussion about the creation and presentation of dance.
Heated politics take the stage in October, but the presidential debates aren’t the only arena for political discourse. Dance theater offers graphic interpretation of a variety of highly-charged political issues in several major productions this month, from Joffrey’s production of Krzysztof Pastor’s reimagining of Romeo and Juliet to The Seldoms' hackstory, “The Fifth,” Natya’s investigation of cultural miscommunication at the root of discord, and Nora Chipaumire’s examination of black maleness.
OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS:
Chicago’s dance season opens full force in September with exciting festivals, company seasons, and premieres of new choreography. New and noteworthy this year for both balletomanes and neophytes is Audience Architect’s Dance Around Town Sampler Pack, a first of it’s kind, limited time offering for dance lovers AND for those who want to discover more dance in Chicago. Get discounted tickets to your favorite Chicago dance company’s Fall 2016 performance and try a few new shows as well!
July sparkles with dancing fireworks throughout the month, culminating in “JUBA!” the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s annual summer tap dance extravaganza (July 18, and
Tune into June! This month, the official herald of summer breathes its balmy spirit of fun and frolic into the heart of Chicago Dance.
HIGHLIGHTS:
By Sharon Hoyer
Dance lovers visiting Chicago are in store for a hot time on just about any given night. Dance in Chicago is booming! With over 200 professional companies performing on stages downtown and throughout Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods--from grand theaters to tiny storefronts, in public parks, museums, and universities, from world-class ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap, and culturally-specific traditional dance forms--Chicago Dance has something for everyone.
February may be the shortest month of the year, but it’s jam-packed with holidays, like Ground Hog Day, Valentines Day, and Mardi Gras, Presidents’ Day, the Chinese New Year, and Superbowl Sunday. And what better way to celebrate than by seeing a dance concert! Chicago dance is kicking up its heels in every way imaginable this month, from jazz to ballet, tap, Mexican, Spanish, Indian, and African American traditions, modern, contemporary and avant-garde.
Father Time will have to do the Quick Step to catch up with Chicago dance in 2016. Major venues promise calendars full of exciting dance to inspire, entertain, and stimulate. An overview of what’s coming in the next few months will help you plan ahead, but first take a look at what’s waiting right on the doorstep of the new year.