Lauren Warnecke is Moving On
Dec 20, 2021 | By Julia Mayer
“My first ever professional review was of River North Dance Chicago’s performance at the Auditorium Theatre in April 2013,” Lauren Warnecke said in a recent email. “I remember staying up all night, terrified about Sid [Smith]’s noon deadline. I don’t know if he really wanted me to continue on after Dance Month was over, but I kept pitching and he kept saying yes.”
Hip hop crew Boom Crack!, transformed for black-box theater, channels mind, body and soul in ‘Three’
Dec 5, 2021 | By Jordan KunkelOn Dec 4, Boom Crack! Dance Company (BCDC) celebrated their fundraising gala at the Den Theatre with two hour-long performances that showcased the company’s variety of artistic talents, including hip hop technical execution, consistent theme development and community building between audience and performers. “Three” was a collaborative creation between artistic director Trae Turner and the company members that engaged the sold-out audience in nuanced movement and full-bodied expression of an R&B and hip hop score that explored the connection between mind, body and soul.
Review: Finally back at the Harris, Ragamala's 'Fires of Varanasi' comes full circle
Dec 4, 2021 | By D'onminique Boy...En route to the Harris Theater on Thursday night it briefly occurred to me that I might have seen Ragamala Dance Company perform when they came to Chicago in 2018. After a brief Google search, it was confirmed. “Written In Water” was deeply supported by Harris Theater’s former President and CEO Patricia Barretto.
Visions of sugar plums dance on for Joffrey 'Nutcracker' children's cast
Dec 1, 2021 | By Emma ElsmoFor countless people around the world, “The Nutcracker” is synonymous with the holiday season. Be it the tale of Marie or Clara and Fritz or Franz, the story has been choreographed and re-choreographed, told in myriad ways. The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago’s 2016 iteration transports spectators young and old back to the World’s Fair, circa 1893. Christopher Wheeldon may swap the Sugar Plum Fairy for a Golden Statue and Russian Trepak for Buffalo Bill, but the essence of this holiday ballet remains the same.
Four shows ya gotta see this December
Nov 30, 2021 | By See Chicago DanceThe Shows Ya Gotta see is a monthly series highlighting "must-see" performances curated by See Chicago Dance critics.
How about something spontaneous, fanciful and fun?
Ya gotta book a Holiday Dance Carol before Dec. 19
Critical Context: Ragamala Dance Company explores life, death and rebirth at the Harris
Nov 30, 2021 | By Tristan BrunsThe below piece is part of Critical Context, a paid writing residency created in partnership with the Harris Theater. The initiative engages past SCD Critical Dance Writing Fellows in a three- to six-month residency in mentorship, research, and deep exploration of Harris Theater Presents dance programming.
Screendance Club in review: You have our attention—we’re watching, part II
Nov 24, 2021 | By Gregory KingEditor's note: Last March, See Chicago Dance kicked off Screendance Club, a bi-monthly dance film watch party and guided discussion. While I personally haven't been enthusiastic about digital dance, Screendance Club was a perpetual joy throughout the year. The curators each wrote beautiful responses about their experiences with the films they chose, all published here on See Chicago Dance. In addition, SCD writer-at-large Gregory King shares his reflections on the series as a whole in a two-part essay.
Screendance Club in review: You have our attention—we’re watching, part I
Nov 23, 2021 | By Gregory KingEditor's note: Last March, See Chicago Dance kicked off Screendance Club, a bi-monthly dance film watch party and guided discussion. While I personally haven't been enthusiastic about digital dance, Screendance Club was a perpetual joy throughout the year. The curators each wrote beautiful responses about their experiences with the films they chose, all published here on See Chicago Dance. In addition, SCD writer-at-large Gregory King shares his reflections on the series as a whole in a two-part essay. The first part is below. Enjoy!
Califone & Robyn Mineko Williams and Artists: In The Round
Califone and Robyn Mineko Williams and Artists come together for a special in the round performance of their acclaimed collaboration, Echo Mine. Echo Mine was inspired by and created alongside Williams’ longtime mentor, Chicago dance icon and founding Hubbard Street dancer Claire Bataille. “The five-minute solo for Claire that we made together serves as the source material, the heartbeat, of Echo Mine,” says Williams. Bataille was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer one month after their first rehearsal in October 2017.