What a wonderful year 2014 has been for dance in Chicago! So many outstanding creative enterprises in so many different genres make our city an ever-expanding hub for deepening dance traditions, pioneering exciting dance innovation, cross disciplinary collaborating, and world class performance. Whether you are a dancer, choreographer, composer, musician, designer, producer, or patron, you can be proud to be a part of this flourishing arts community. Throughout the month of December, the dance writers at seechicagodance will be reflecting on some of the highlights of 2014 that we have found especially memorable, but for this newsletter, we look forward to the new year and a sampling of just a few of the upcoming events you won’t want to miss.
Giordano Dance Chicago kicks off the new year on January 31st as part of the Auditorium Theatre’s “Made in Chicago” series. Pertinent to the series’ Chicago theme is Autumn Eckman’s “Moving Sidewalks.” Restaged with new costuming for all sixteen Giordano dancers, the piece makes a journey back in time to the historic Pilsen neighborhood, where periodic flooding created an unusual landscape of unstable layers.
“Shirt Off My Back,” a world premiere by Ray Mercer (of “The Lion King” fame), Roni Koresh’s “Exit 4,” Ray Leeper’s “Felling Good Suite,” and Eckman’s “Alloy” round out the program. Giordano’s spring season at the Harris Theater March 27-29 will feature three Broadway-themed pieces and a world premiere by company dancer Joshua Blake Carter.
The Joffrey Ballet, "Unique Voices"
The Joffrey Ballet’s winter season, “Unique Voices,” at the Auditorium Theatre February 11-22, features the U.S. premiere of Alexander Ekman’s “Tulle,” a ballet about ballet. Originally created in Sweden in 2012, it was his first work using pointe shoes and classical vocabulary. Stanton Welch’s “Maninyas” and James Kudelka’s “The Man In Black” are Joffrey premieres. The Joffrey’s spring program, “New Works” will take place at The Cadillac Place Theatre, due to the relocation of the NFL Draft to Chicago. New York City Ballet soloist Justin Peck sets his “In Creases,” on the company for the first time. Joffrey ballet master Nicholas Blanc’s “Evenfall” and Christopher Wheeldon’s “Liturgy” are also Joffrey premieres. Val Caniparoli reprises his 2012 Joffrey world premiere “Incantations.”
River North Dance Chicago returns to the Auditorium Theatre March 28th with a new work by longtime company dancer Hana Bricston.
River North Dance Chicago
Harris Theater For Music and Dance brings former New York City Ballet principal Wendy Whelan January 21st, Alonzo King Lines Ballet March 3-5, Visceral Dance Chicago March 21-22, and the Scottish Ballet’s production of “A Streetcar Named Desire May 7-9.
Both spring and summer seasons of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will also take place at the Harris. The spring season, March 12-15, will feature “Cloudless,” a duet by Crystal Pite, and works by Jiri Kylian and Alejandro Cerudo, in a unique program revolving around the theme of gender identities and relationships. HSDC’s summer season (June 11-14) will celebrate resident company choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo’s prolific and successful choreographic career with a world premiere, his 14th original creation for the company.
Chicago Human Rhythm Project
The Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s (CHRP) 25th anniversary celebration includes The Chicago Rhythm Fest May 13th as part of the Auditorium Theatre’s “Made In Chicago” series. Re-imagining the CHRP’s first ever Tap Dance Day concert 25 years ago, the program includes CHRP’s resident company, BAM!, Trinity Irish Dance Company, Mexican Dance Ensemble, Muntu Dance Theatre, and Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater.
Hedwig Dances travels to Havana to perform Trade Winds/Aires de Cambio in collaboration with Cuba’s DanzAbierta on January 30-31. The company's 30th anniversary concert will take place May 15-16 at the Athenaeum Theatre, featuring select work that artistic director Jan Bartoszek created for Hedwig Dances' repertoire in “One Grand Dance.” Company member and choreographer Edson Cabrera will also create a new work called Bangweulu. The word "Bangweulu" is of African origin and means literally where the water meets the sky or the infinite horizon or timelessness. The dance will be structured as three separate duets based on the theme of relationships between friends, family members and lovers.
The Dance Center of Columbia College brings David Roussève February 5-7; Chicago Dance Crash February 19-21; Shantala Shivalingappa March 5-7; and Urban Bush Women March 19-21.
The Auditorium Theatre also brings an exciting roster of touring programs, beginning with Tango Buenos Aires January 25th, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater March 6-8, The Eifman Ballet May 8-10, and The Royal Ballet in Carlos Acosta’s production of “Don Quixote June 18-21.
The staff and writers of SeeChicagoDance wish you Happy Holidays and a whole new year filled with wonderful dance!
Lynn Colburn Shapiro, editor