The human experience is a tapestry woven with threads of opposing emotional states, each contrasting hue adding depth to the fabric. Joy goes hand in hand with sorrow, laughter coincides with tears, hope casts a light against despair and fear and courage are unlikely companions. Each emotion challenges another in the struggle for dominance over the human spirit. The true essence of humanity is revealed within the delicate balance of those opposing forces.

One of the joys of being a dance writer is seeing the evolution of Chicago companies and artists. None exemplifies this process of development better than Kia Smith and South Chicago Dance Theatre (SCDT), evidenced in their latest production, “New Horizons,” presented at Auditorium Theatre on April 27.

Black Love is…by heart, on fire, telling the truth, cellular, quiet, bass, thick, messy, deep, moisturized, intentional, album books, chicken and dumplings, soft, hardworking, past, present and forever.

Praize Productions, Inc. is here to remind us of our expansive and enduring love with their latest theatrical production, entitled “Black Love Reigns Supreme.” On May 3rd and 4th at the Logan Center for the arts, we will expand our sometimes limited perspective with vivid and palpable imagery, inspiring us to enliven and recall the spirit that is undeniably blacklove.

Thrown into the pages of a comic book, two femme superhero-like characters deliver punches and land blows to a sound score of WHACKs and THWAPs. The wind-sweeping battle turns into a playful catfight, which morphs into a fiercely sensual duet that is entangled with desire, temptation and resistance. It oozes with extraordinary power through both physical strength and sexuality. The competition in Erin Kilmurray & Kara Brody’s “Knockout” is cutthroat, but it’s the attraction that may be fatal…

Identity Performing Arts electrified audiences with their performance of “Muted,” running April 27-28 at the Ann Barzel Theater. The performance featured the return of “Enliven” (2023) and the premiere of “Muted,” both choreographed by founder and artistic director Ginny Ching-Yin Lo.