Chicago’s own Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre and The Dance Center of Columbia College proudly present the second annual Chicago Latinx/e Contemporary Movement Festival – uplifting a multiplicity of Latinx/e perspectives, creating a mosaic of stories shaped by heritage, migration, gender, queerness, resilience and joy. The Festival highlights socially conscious emerging Latinx artists’ lines of inquiry addressing immigration, colonialism, multinationalism, bi-racial and/or multi-generational identities.

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“More than a performance, this is a gathering. It’s a celebration of Chicago’s Latinx/e dance artistry and a community-driven event, a much-needed space where artists and audiences come together to witness, reflect and celebrate our identities in motion,” says Cerqua Rivera Co-Founder and Artistic Director Wilfredo Rivera.  

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The 2026 Chicago Latinx/e Contemporary Movement Festival at the Dance Center of Columbia College includes:

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Concert
Friday, Oct. 2 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. 

Q&A to immediately follow the program

Tickets:

➡️ General admission: $30
➡️ Senior: $20
➡️ Non-Columbia student & kids: $10
➡️ Columbia College Chicago students/faculty/staff: Free
🔥 Industry Tickets: $20 ($10 Savings on General Admission Tickets. No Code Necessary.)

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This concert performance kicks off the 2026 festival with performances by: 

Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre – an excerpt of work-in-progress “Torcer el Horizonte,” by Omar Román de Jesús (Jacob’s Pillow, Buca Toya), to be premiered by CRDT at its spring 2028 performance
Ruben Andrés Castillo Gomez – “Los Immigrantes”
Tori Cristi – “Te Dejo Ir”
Anniela Huidobro Castro – “CHINELA, la que brinca y brama” 
Anise Fernández and Amanda Ramirez – “De La Mia…”
Paula Sousa – “One of Us Is”
Mark Travis Rivera, The Professional Storyteller – “soy libre”

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WORKSHOP: Whacking for Self-Expression and Liberation 
Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10:15  – 11:45 a.m.

The Workshop registration is $10 or pay what you can.
This Workshop is for emerging, pre-professional and professional movement artists, led by  Festival Artist Tori Christi (Whacking Los Angeles). All are welcome to observe.

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PANEL DISCUSSION: Community Conversation 
Saturday, Oct. 3 from 12 – 1:30 p.m.

Panel Discussion Registration: Free, registration encouraged
This conversation is facilitated by David Herrera of Latinx Hispanic Dancers United and will platform this cultural moment in the intersectional Latinx dance community. All are welcome

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We are grateful to presenting sponsor, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.