Father Time will have to do the Quick Step to catch up with Chicago dance in 2016. Major venues promise calendars full of exciting dance to inspire, entertain, and stimulate. An overview of what’s coming in the next few months will help you plan ahead, but first take a look at what’s waiting right on the doorstep of the new year.
Thodos Dance Chicago presents “Sono’s Journey,” January 9 at the Auditorium Theater, a world premiere piece celebrating the life of legendary Japanese-American dancer Sono Osato. Sono’s Journey will trace Osato’s path from her audition on the Auditorium Theatre stage that launched her dance career at age 14, to her position today, at the age of 96, as one of the most inspirational, barrier-breaking artists in American dance. The event is part of the Auditorium’s “Made in Chicago” Dance Series. The company will also appear at the Login Center for the Arts in “History In Motion: Sono’s Journey” on January 6, in conjunction with the Chicago Dance History Project.
Moscow festival Ballet’s “Cinderella” comes to the Mcaninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage January 10. The company was founded by legendary Bolshoi Ballet principal dancer Sergei Radchenko, Moscow Festival Ballet is steeped in classical Russian technique and grandeur.
Links Hall at Constellation presents “Peep Show” January 4. Peep Show gives audiences a behind the scenes peek into the unique dance making processes of innovative Chicago choreographers as they develop world premiere dance works live, in the moment, based on suggestions from audience members. Each performance features two choreographers working simultaneously against the clock (45 min) in two different studios, to realize completely new pieces that incorporate suggestions from the audience, original music from an experimental composer (chosen by Constellation) and their choreography. The audience is invited to grab drinks and mingle between sittings in on each studio.
Also at Links in January: “Still Inspired” January 14-16, and “A Mid Festival” with Zephyr Dance and others running January 20-31.
DanceWorks Chicago continues its monthly Dance Chance at the Lou Conte Studios January 29. The one-hour event is designed to offer opportunities for choreographers to show their work informally, create a forum for dialogue among artists, and build audience for dance.
“Sophie Shellbags, OR The Curiosity of the Female Rake” integrates a variety of dance genres January 31 at OuterSpace Studios.
There’s lots to choose from among the major Chicago dance venues for 2016, so get out your calendars and pencil in some of these:
Harris Theater leads the pack, beginning with The State Ballet of Russia January 23-24. The Hamburg Ballet, under the direction of John Neumeier, rolls into town February 23-27 with two full-length programs: Othello, the 23rd-24th, and Mahler Third Symphony the 26th-27th. Local companies Include Lucky Plush March 3, Thodos Dance Chicago March 5, and Hubbard Street’s spring season March 17-20, with a summer season June 9-12 . Giordano Dance Chicago’s Spring Series kicks off April 1-2. Miami City Ballet brings two programs April 29-30, and Ballet Chicago stages its annual concert May 14.
In addition to Thodos, The Auditorium Theater presents the Joffrey Ballet’s “Bold Moves,” February 10-21, featuring cutting edge contemporary ballet choreography by Jiří Kylián, Ashley Page, and Yuri Possokhov. Alvin Ailey graces the stage March 8-13, and the Joffrey returns with Frederick Ashton’s “Cinderella” May 11-22.
Giordano Dance Chicago returns to the Columbia College Dance Center for the first time in 37 years February 4-6. The program features audience favorites, “Exit4” by Roni Koresh and “Shirt Off My Back” by Ray Mercer. The Dance Center brings back Urban Bush Women February 18-20, followed by Joe Goode March 10-12, and Rennie Harris March 31 through April 2.
The Ruth Page Center presents the Chicago Academy for the Arts January 22-23. Winifred Haun returns February 26-27, followed by Chicago Repertory Ballet’s “Macbeth” March 4-12. DanceWorks Chicago performs March 18-19.
The Museum of Contemporary Art presents “Cosmic Body” with Ingri Fiksdal, Ingvild Langgard, and Signe Becker February 4-7. Faye Driscoll will perform her “Thank You For Coming” February 11-14. The Joffrey Academy brings winners of its annual “Winning Works,” set on the studio company by ascending choreographers of color. Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion stages “When The Wolves Come In” April 28-May 1.
The Dance Chicago series continues through February 14 at The Athenaeum Theatre.
There’s more to come! Check seechicagodance.com and click on “Upcoming Events” for details and tickets. To be sure, 2016 is a year to See Chicago Dance! A Happy and Healthy New Year to all!
Lynn Colburn Shapiro, editor