Chicago Tap Theatre’s “Circo Tap” trips the light fantastic with a unique co-mingling of dance, theatre, live music, and circus arts. From its ingenious tap construct of a circus train gaining momentum, traveling across the plains and pulling into small-town America, to the grand finale circus parade through the audience, tap rhythms and Kurt Schweitz’s original music keep the action moving at a brisk pace.
July brings a month of concerts that showcase new works by multiple choreographers, including Thodos Dance Chicago, Dance In The Parks, Hyde Park School of Dance, Dance Chance, and JUBA. Add to that concerts by solo artists Mitsu Salmon, Ahmad Simmons, and Tommy Tune, and full-company performances from Joel Hall Dancers, Muntu Dance Theatre, Natya Dance Theatre, Ayodele, Red Clay Dance, and The Chicago Human Rhythm Project, and you have a July that’s shaping up to be a great month to explore a diversity of dance styles, genres and cultures across Chicagoland.
There are times when the rare chemistry of great artistry and a great audience creates a uniquely thrilling evening of live theater. Such was the case opening night of The Royal Ballet’s first Chicago appearance in thirty-seven years, a long time to wait to see Great Britain’s crown jewels of the dance. It’s safe to say the royal treatment they graced upon Chicago with principal guest artist Carlos Acosta’s production of “Don Quixote” (2013) rekindled a love affair on both sides of the pond.
Whether commanding a gentle storm of feathers onto the stage for his dancers to slide, float, and swim through, or pinning them to the scenery with velcro, Alejandro Cerrudo makes them listen, to each other’s bodies and to the silences between the onrush of dramatic music that frames the architectural precision of his choreography, on display as a one-man show in Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Summer Series this past weekend at the Harris Theater.
The Cambrians Review
June 8, 2015
A refreshing zen calm dances across time and seeps into your skin watching “Clover” (premiere), The Cambrians’ latest escapade in something completely different (playing in tandem with “The Nexus Project with Autumn and Jamy” at Uptown’s Preston Bradley Center through June 28).
The past few years have not been easy for the Joel Hall Dancers and Center. The company moved its studios, moved locations from a pricey second floor studio in the heart of Andersonville to its current home occupying a storefront on the 5900 block of north Clark Street, and while this move led to the designation of Honorary Joel Hall Way by 48th Alderman Harry Osterman, it also meant less foot traffic and chronically empty storefronts for neighbors.
How are you going to celebrate May Day this Friday, May 1st? With traditions across many cultures dating back to ancient Rome, you have all kinds of wild options. Go crazy dancing around a Maypole, if you can find one, or clog with friends in a Morris Dance across the Chicago River.