Preview

For countless people around the world, “The Nutcracker” is synonymous with the holiday season. Be it the tale of Marie or Clara and Fritz or Franz, the story has been choreographed and re-choreographed, told in myriad ways. The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago’s 2016 iteration transports spectators young and old back to the World’s Fair, circa 1893. Christopher Wheeldon may swap the Sugar Plum Fairy for a Golden Statue and Russian Trepak for Buffalo Bill, but the essence of this holiday ballet remains the same.

The Shows Ya Gotta see is a monthly series highlighting "must-see" performances curated by See Chicago Dance critics.

How about something spontaneous, fanciful and fun?

Ya gotta book a Holiday Dance Carol before Dec. 19

The below piece is part of Critical Context, a paid writing residency created in partnership with the Harris Theater. The initiative engages past SCD Critical Dance Writing Fellows in a three- to six-month residency in mentorship, research, and deep exploration of Harris Theater Presents dance programming.

The below piece is part of Critical Context, a paid writing residency created in partnership with the Harris Theater. The initiative engages past SCD Critical Dance Writing Fellows in a three- to six-month residency in mentorship, research, and deep exploration of Harris Theater Presents dance programming.

She speaks no Korean, he speaks little English, but the language of dance transcends all cultural barriers in the collaboration at the center of the third annual South Chicago Dance Festival. Sponsored by South Chicago Dance Theatre (SCDT), the festival’s mission is to foster cultural diplomacy through movement, a language that needs no translation.

The Shows Ya Gotta see is a monthly series highlighting "must-see" performances curated by See Chicago Dance critics.

If you’re in need of something wacky, whimsical and weird…

Ya gotta see Poonie’s Cabaret on Nov. 1

This weekend, Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC) enthusiastically opens its 59th season, celebrating its return to the Harris Theater stage after almost two years. While welcoming six new dancers (now 12 dancers total) to its roster, GDC also says farewell to company dancer Zachary Heller. It will be a bittersweet moment 14 years in the making.

The Seldoms have always taken their time, premiering new works every year or two. But little did artistic director Carrie Hanson know when she started her newest amalgamation, “Grass," in 2020, that she would be forced into a pregnant, pandemic pause.

Mandala South Asian Performing Arts paints with broad strokes, adopting a multi-cultural, multi-genre lens. Rather than narrowly focusing on preservation of a single classical dance form, they say “yes” to pretty much everything. It’s a difference of approach that associate artistic director Ashwaty Chennat says reflects the experience of South Asians living in America.