MAY NEWSLETTER
2012-04-25 11:51:17 AM
By Sid Smith
Scholars have debated the meaning of the May pole for years, theories touching on everything from earthly rotation to fertility rites and, ahem, phallic imagism.
One thing isn't up for debate: The tradition embraces dancing, communal dancing in the form of highly public, whirling fun. The official season is winding down, but there's plenty of dance energy everywhere.
The Joffrey Ballet, for instance, continues its spring engagement began in late April, finishing May 6 at the Auditorium Theatre, works by Val Caniparoli, Jerome Robbins and Edwaard Liang on the bill. In something of an interdisciplinary mix, "Superman 2050" returns via Theatre Un-Speak-Able, relaying the battle between the super hero and Lex Luther by means of seven performers who conjure up all characters, props and scenery with their bodies, on view May 2-6 at the Josephine Louis Theater of Northwestern University in Evanston. Next, Erin Carlisle Norton is choreographer of "Sector," the Moving Architects' program exploring dance in its political, social and global contexts May 4-6 at the Fasseas White Box Theater of the Menomonee Club, 1535 N. Dayton St.
Kalapriya Dance touches on the immigrant experience in "Finding Home," through both Bharata Natyam classical technique and modern dance May 4 and 5 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. In a numerological nod, NoMi LaMad Dance Inc. winds down its fifth season with five premieres in "Level 5," a program May 5 at the Athenaeum. That same night, Ballet Chicago makes its long-hoped-for Harris Theater debut with three classics by George Balanchine and a host of guest stars supplementing its studio company. "Rubies," the middle section of "Jewels," along with "Concerto Barocco" and "Who Cares?" make up the bill.
A wide assortment of local tap artists join forces for "Windy City Rhythms," the Chicago Human Rhythm Project's concerts May 10 and 11 at the DuSable Museum of African American History. Tre Dumas, M.A.D.D. Rhythms, the Boom Crack Dance Company and BAM! are among the headliners. The New Stages for Dances initiative, meanwhile, linking various pairs of organizations throughout the season, returns with a concert bringing together Muntu Dance Theatre and DanceWorks Chicago, performing separately but also sharing the stage in one new work, May 11 (matinee) and 12 (matinee and full evening performance) at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.
Colorado Ballet principals Maria Mosina and Alexei Tyukov will guest star when the Salt Creek Ballet's "The Sleeping Beauty" plays May 12 and 13 at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. That same busy weekend, CoCoDaCo Dance Chicago presents "Dance Forward" May 12 at 7614 N. Ridge Rd. Aerial Dance Chicago presents its student showcase May 12 at the Ruth Page Center, while the Center itself holds a gala benefit May 12 at the Chicago Yacht Club, 400 E. Monroe St.
And in a month rich with five-year anniversaries, Elements Contemporary Ballet celebrates theirs with a program including the company premiere of a work by former Hubbard Street Dance Chicago dancer Brian Enos May 12 at the Athenaeum Theatre. It's called "Dark and Lovely, Mmm" and was originally created for the Houston Ballet.
Aerial Dance Chicago presents three new works in its "Garden of Souls" line-up May 17-June 10 at the Ruth Page center. Margi Cole and her Dance COLEctive, in an effort to foster new work, offer a program of original pieces, all by company members, entitled "COLEctive Notions 2012" and playing May 18-20 at the Fasseas White Box. Much of May at Links Hall is devoted to the Standing Heat project honoring animal life via a variety of disciplines, including some dance. But, after that, "Dances to Songs I Hate" arrives May 21, curated by Tif Bullard and featuring work by a variety of artists with this challenging premise: find inspiration "from something that repulses." (Song titles won't be revealed until the start of the performance.) Sage Morgan-Hubbard provides "Mixed Mamas," an "autobiographical spoken word choreo-poem," May 25-27 at Links. Theatre Un-Speak-Able returns with "Murder on the Midwest Express" May 18-21 at the Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Av., 2nd Floor.
Last and assuredly not least, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago winds up its season May 31-June 3 at the Harris. The company premiere of William Forsythe's "Quintett" along with revivals of Ohad Naharin's "Three to Max" and Alejandro Cerrudo's "Malditos" make up the bill.
