For years, Alluvion Dance Chicago has been a key supporter of rising choreographers through its annual summer Choreography Festival, "emergence." This competitive program provided promising new choreographers the chance to showcase their work in a fully produced setting, with artistic and logistical support from Artistic Directors, educators and Rehearsal Directors throughout the Chicagoland area.

A diverse tapestry of people gathered at the Pritzker Pavilion at Millenium Park on Father’s Day, June 16. Families with children perched on lawn chairs beside elderly couples with picnic lunches, their faces lit with anticipation. United by their shared love for movement and music, they gathered to watch the Joffrey Ballet Chicago (JBC) and its affiliates, Joffrey Academy and Joffrey Community Engagement program, in a free outdoor performance.

Nothing rivals the experience of being in an energetic crowd during a live performance. You know the one—where cheers, snaps and shouts of friends' names fill the air around you. The kind of energy that seeps into your soul, making you feel a part of a larger, connected community.

On a rainy day in June last year, 7,500 people gathered in Millennium Park to attend The Joffrey Ballet’s first “Joffrey for All” event. This included a short children’s movement workshop on the lawn and a string of works and excerpts from The Joffrey Ballet’s repertoire, such as duets from Yuri Possokhov’s “Anna Karenina” and Chanel DaSilva’s “colōrem.”

Have you ever had a simple conversation transform a stranger into a cherished friend? Or felt a love both tender and painful? When was the last time you felt content alone? These questions underscore humans' remarkable, often mysterious ways to forge and experience connections. From fleeting glances to shared laughter, the range of these emotions reveals the complexity of the human experience. By exploring these intricate relationships, we uncover the essence of what it means to connect on a deeply personal level.

Navigating the professional dance world presents many challenges that test the resilience and dedication of a young dancer. The journey is fraught with obstacles, from fierce competition for limited opportunities to the constant pressure to maintain physical capabilities. Financial instability often looms, with many young dancers grappling with balancing their passion with the practicalities of making ends meet. The demanding nature of the profession takes a toll on emotional well-being as dancers confront performance anxiety, self-doubt, and the ever-present fear of rejection.