Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre (CRDT) is pleased to announce its Spring 2025 Concert Series, helmed by co-founder and artistic director Wilfredo Rivera, at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts on Friday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 7, at 2 p.m. 

Concerts will include original dance and music performances by the company’s professional dance ensemble and jazz orchestra. Works by choreographers Wilfredo Rivera, Shannon Alvis and Michelle Manzanales and composers Joe Cerqua and James Sanders celebrate the Latinx diaspora, exploring the range of gender identity and the experience of metamorphosis, and reflecting the immigrant experience and our shared humanity.

 

The Spring 2025 Concert program includes:

“LÁGRIMAS NEGRAS” by Wilfredo Rivera and Composition by Miguel Matamoros with arrangement by CRDT Music Director Stu Greenspan 

A celebration of Wilfredo’s childhood among the Latino diaspora, to the classic bolero-son

“The Island” by Michelle Manzanales (Ballet Hispánico) and James Sanders (Conjunto, Chicago Sinfonietta)

Inspired by a real-life story about the island in the Humboldt Park lagoon which becomes a wonderful refuge for two girls, where playful and imaginary moments were the escape from reality

“Metamorphosis” by Shannon Alvis (Hubbard Street Chicago) and Joe Cerqua (Columbia College, American Players Theatre)

Inspired by non-binary/gender queer and trans Chicago dance artists, exploring evolving definitions of gender identity

“American Catracho (Act II)” by Willfredo Rivera

Wilfredo Rivera’s epic semi-autobiographical piece exploring immigration, from displacement and trauma to resilience & hope

The approximate runtime is 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets are $37 – $79 and available now at CerquaRivera.org. $59 Sponsor & $79 Angel tix includes access to exclusive pre-show chat with Co-Founder & Artistic Director Wilfredo Rivera.