Preview

A comprehensive 2019 report by Candid, Sustain Arts and See Chicago Dance, titled “Mapping the Dance Landscape in Chicagoland,” shocked members of the dance community with several startling statistics: From 2002 to 2016, the number of dancemakers in Chicago had increased by 23%, but two-thirds were making less than $15,000 a year, and roughly half were people of color. Furthermore, only three out of eighty-seven nonprofit dance organizations received more than half of all philanthropic funding despite an increase of 46% in institutional philanthropic funding for dance.

Dance For Life has been one of the highest-praised and most looked-forward-to day of dance in Chicago since 1992, when founding Directors Keith Elliott and Todd Kiech sought a meaningful way to raise funds for medical care and life assistance for dancers suffering from HIV/AIDS.

This Saturday (Aug. 6), over 15 dance companies will take the stage at the Elpis Dance Fest, a multidisciplinary dance festival performed outside across from Café Brauer near the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Wanna see something mythical, healing and interactive?
Nejla Yatkin’s “Firebird,” May31 – June 18. FREE!

While spending time combing through past issues of “Dance Magazine” at the Harold Washington Library, I realized for the first time how prolific dancer/choreographer Ruth Page was during her career. She is mentioned in nearly every issue, often covered by longtime Chicago dance writer Ann Barzel. Page is always pushing boundaries, always moving forward, always working on a new ballet, often to rave reviews. Seeing the immensity of Page’s work spread out in front of me instilled a sense of awe and, as a Chicagoan, a sense of pride.

Wanna see something rooted, swinging and soulful?
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre presents “Celebrating Black Excellence,” May 7

When asked what drew her to John Steinbeck’s 1937 novella, “Of Mice and Men,” British choreographer Cathy Marston said, “It asks all the questions that invigorate me—faith in friendship, why people are so isolated…”

See Chicago Dance reached Marston by phone during a break in rehearsals at Joffrey Tower where she is putting the finishing touches on the world premiere production, opening April 27th at the Lyric Opera House. (See below for details.)

For the first time ever in her 23-professional-years, Sara Juli is performing in the Windy City and she’s bringing an elaborate Pepto-Bismol pink bathroom set in tow.