March is my birth month, and at this time every year, I reflect on my journey through the world of dance. To my surprise and delight, this month’s diverse lineup of dance performances is serendipitous to this endeavor.

A lifelong comic book fan, I was astounded when in 2007 Chicago Tap Theatre performed a superhero tap dance drama, “The Hourglass in ‘The Stop-Time Chronicles,'” which changed my perspective on what a tap dance show could be, later inspiring my own works of tap; Chicago Tap Theatre returns in “The Countdown” at Bramble Arts Loft, an exploration of the synergy of tap dance with the mysterious power of “numerological divination” (can tap dance tell the future?)—CTT is still re-imagining what tap dance can be!

In the late-2000s, I saw my first Butoh performance, otherworldly, meditative and a little eerie—I loved it! Ever since, I’ve been hooked on companies like Butoh Chicago, who present a new iteration of their site-responsive work, “Earth Tomes,” at Hairpin Arts Center.

I had an ontological epiphany the first time I experienced Chicago Dance Crash’s “Keeper of the Floor,” an intense multi-genre dance battle, in the mid-2000s, and the dancers’ ability to collaboratively fuse different styles into novel forms exploded my preconception of rigid dance categories and hierarchies. “Crash” (as their fans call them) continues their innovative approach to dance in “LXIV (six.four),” a hip hop theater work inspired by the legendary 1851 “Immortal Chess Game.”

One of my favorite things about growing older is observing the exciting and unexpected ways disparate artists evolve, seeing where they are while knowing where they have been. I hope that this trip down memory lane inspires you to create some memories of your own by making plans to See Chicago Dance.

—Managing Editor, Tristan Bruns

Shows You Gotta See

Chicago Tap Theatre; Photo by William Frederking

1. Chicago Tap Theatre presents “The Countdown: Where Numerology Meets the Beat, a Symphony of Tap Dance and Live Music,” Mar. 5-8, Bramble Arts Loft

From the organization:

“In honor of their 23rd year, CTT takes a deep dive into the numbers “2” & “3” and their mysterious power. From duality (what happens when two polar opposite songs collide!), to numerological divination (can tap dance tell you the future?), you will delight in this one-of-a-kind display of the dance. Featuring new choreography from tap titans Molly Smith, Sterling Harris, Mark Yonally, and more.”

For more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.

To read a review of “CTT LIVE” (2025) by staff writer Isabel Campisteguy, click HERE.

2. The Seldoms present “FLOE,” Mar. 12-13, Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago

From the organization:

“Vanishing polar ice, rising sea levels, extreme weather, denialism, madness. Floe is dance theater about climate change. By turns irreverent and elegiac, Floe embodies the fragmentation of our global conversation on climate change as it veers from conspiracy theories to the very real and urgent impacts of global warming.”

For more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.

To read a review of The Seldom’s “Sightline” (2025) by staff writer Maureen Janson, click HERE.

3. Shalaka Kulkarni presents “MUDRA,” Mar. 13-14, Steppenwolf Theatre’s 1700 Theater

From the artist:

“MUDRA, by Shalaka Kulkarni, is a 60-minute dance-theatre work that unfolds through mythical short stories carried by sand, water, breath, and gesture. Rooted in Bharatanatyam and Kathak and shaped by contemporary movement, the piece explores desire not as longing, but as an inner current that guides, spills, transforms, and leads us toward what is alive and present.

The journey moves from stillness to awakening, from shadow to light, tracing creatures, rivers, keepers, and lotuses that exist between worlds. Each transition reveals desire as motion rather than possession: something that cannot be held, only followed. Like the gradual opening of a lotus, the work peels back layers of memory, time and embodiment, inviting the dancer and the audience closer to an essential, vital truth.

MUDRA features guest artist Yoshinojo Fujima (aka Rika Lin), Grandmaster of Fujima-style Japanese classical dance, in a rare collaboration that bridges form and fluidity, stillness and flow, ritual and release.”

For more information, click on the event link HERE.

To read a review of Kulkarni’s “Nyra’s Dreams” (2023) by Tristan Bruns in Newcity, click HERE.

4. DanceWorks Chicago presents “Danceworks 2026,” Mar. 13-15, Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts (Northwestern University)

From the organization:

“As we mark the 250th birthday of the United States, what do we have to celebrate? The ghosts of our nation’s past—slavery, genocide, extraction—are active forces haunting our burning present.

‘Danceworks 2026’ gathers choreographers, dancers, and audiences to ask: What does it mean to move together in a time of unraveling? How do we move through a world where some bodies are deemed disposable, where borders harden as seas rise, where the very ground beneath us is contested?

In this space, we don’t promise harmony. We offer the friction of real encounter. Through choreography and improvisation, we explore the politics of presence: the radical act of showing up, in all our differences, when everything tells us to retreat. Can collective movement—breathing, sweating, grieving in rhythm—forge something beyond mere survival?”

For more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.

5. The Joffrey Ballet presents “Winning Works,” Mar. 13-22, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

From the organization:

“A mission-driven, access-oriented initiative, Winning Works upholds The Joffrey Ballet’s core values of Joffrey for All, providing opportunities for everyone, regardless of background, to experience, support, and participate in dance. The goal of the award is to recognize talented, emerging choreographers whose unique perspectives will inspire creativity in the form of original works of dance. Through Winning Works, the Joffrey aims to broaden access for artists who have been historically excluded from the art form and empower those who embody its values to shape the future of dance. We are thrilled to announce the five winners of the 2026 Winning Works Choreographic Competition: Fran Diaz, Julia Feldman, DaYoung Jung, Daniel Ojeda, and Alexandra Schooling. Each will choreograph an original work created for the Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet Conservatory, Trainees, and Joffrey Studio Company.”

For more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.

To read a review of The Joffrey Ballet’s “Matters of the Heart” (2025) by staff writer and Editor Emeritus, Lynn Colburn Shapiro, click HERE.

6. Chicago Dance Crash presents “LXIV (six.four),” Mar. 14-15, Ann Barzel Theatre

From the organization:

“‘LXIV (six.four)’ is a genre-bending hip hop theater work inspired by the legendary 1851 Immortal Chess Game. The story begins off the board, where each chess piece is brought to life as a fully realized character navigating power, hierarchy, and human complexity.

As tensions mount, the audience is drawn to the board and into the heart of the historic match, where a seemingly minor pawn turns the tide and a checkmate unfolds. ‘LXIV (six.four)’ blends theatrical storytelling with street dance forms, using chess as a metaphor for agency, sacrifice, and choice within structured systems.”

For more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.

7. Butoh Chicago presents “Earth Tomes,” Mar. 15, Hairpin Arts Center

From the organization:

“Earth Tomes exists to bring people together to celebrate dance, to celebrate our bodies, our relationships to each other, our relationship to the Earth. The desire is to ignite a passion for these relationships in the audience. Butoh, in its essential nature, is an enigmatic dance form that highlights the body clinging to life. “When one considers the body in relation to dance, it is then that one truly realizes what suffering is: it is a part of our lives. No matter how much we search for it from the outside there is no way we can find it without delving into ourselves.” exclaimed Tatsumi Hijikata in the 1970s. If anything, we have collectively grown more aware of this human condition in these days, and Butoh dancers have now had many years of experience to model this integration.”

For more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.

8. We Are Collective presents “A Flower in the Tumbleweeds,” Mar. 27-28, Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble

“We Are Collective’s fourth season proudly presents: A Flower in the Tumbleweeds. This dance-theatre showdown stars Longshot Lani, Miss Audrey Rose, and the Ciseros. Longshot Lani’s journey leads to heartache and tragedy, while the Town Folk decide whose side to take. You sure won’t want to miss out on the adventures of Calamity Crick, The Silver Spur, and Madame de Vere’s.”

For more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.

To read about We Are Collective’s “Outlaw of the Arts Festival” (2025) by staff writer and Managing Editor, Tristan Bruns, click HERE.

9. Alluvion Dance Chicago presents “Opus. 12,” Mar. 27-28, The Edge Theatre

From the organization:

“Join Alluvion Dance Chicago for their season 12 show. Premiering 4 new works by Artistic Director, Tessa Ritchey, Assistant Director, Kayla Castellon, and our guest choreographer, Arianna Russ.”

For more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.

And More…

1. Khecari presents “2026 Resource Share Residency [Work In Progress] Showing,” Mar. 6, Indian Boundary Park

From the organization:

“As Chicago Park District Arts Partners in Residence, Khecari trades public programming for studio use. Every February we share our resource of studio time at Indian Boundary Cultural Center with BIPOC/ALAANA artists in our community. This program has a simple application process open to the public that is then chosen by lottery. This residency offers a no-tech, studio practice space with a residency stipend equal to Khecari’s equal-pay-for-all hourly rate, currently $22/hour and a no-tech work-in-progress showing at the end.”

For more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.

2. DANCE COLONY + Artists Audition, Mar. 15, DANCE COLONY Studios

From the organization:

“DANCE COLONY + Artists is hiring for PROJECT 3, happening in June. The audition will be Sunday, March 15 from 5:00-8:30 PM at DANCE COLONY Studios (4222 N. Ravenswood Ave.) Doors will open at 4:15 PM. The audition will start with a ballet class, followed by repertoire from Talia Favia and Luca Tessarini. Ample free parking is available! Register for the audition at www.dancecolony.org/dca.

An immediate rehearsal process will be March 16-18 with world renowned choreographer Talia Favia, for those cast and available. Rehearsals will continue the week of April 6 until the show. Paid company positions and trainees positions available.”

For more info, click the event link HERE.

3. Evanston Dance Ensemble presents “Ramble On; EDE Rocks!” Mar. 19-22, Josephine Louis Theatre (Northwestern University)

From the organization:

“The Evanston Dance Ensemble is diving into the archives. Join us as we explore the culture, attitude, and expansive reach of rock and roll music. Artistic Director Enid Smith and Assistant to the Director Macala Bartucci are joined by guests Kaleigh Dent, Julie Cartier, Tori Isaac, Ro Goodman, and EDE founding director Béa Rashid in this electrifying evening of dance.”

For more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.

4. “FESTIVAL OF DANCE CLUBS | Columbia Renegades Ballet Club, Mar. 31 – Apr. 3, The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago

From the organization:

“This inaugural festival showcases four of the student run organizations dedicated to dance and open to all majors at Columbia College Chicago: C2K Dance Team, Columbia Renegades Dance Team, Columbia Ballet Club, and Renegades Hip Hop Dance Crew.

Tickets: FREE with reservation.”

For more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.

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Friday, December 12, 2025