Step inside a living room. It’s got a couch, a standing lamp and art leaning on the back wall--someone hasn’t gotten around to hanging it yet. The furniture has been pushed to the back corner, making way for an open floor. Upon arrival, the house party hosts are all there: eight dancers having side chats, warming up for break dancing and waving to audience members who have just entered the theater.
Experience the heart-pounding rhythm of Step Afrika! on Saturday, October 19 at The Auditoirum! Founded by C. Brian Williams, the company will perform The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence, which tells the story of African American migrants moving from the rural South to the industrial North to escape Jim Crow, racial oppression, and lynchings in the early 1900s. Feel the power of when painting and dance collide in a spectacular evening of dance! Buy tickets early for the best seats at AuditoriumTheatre.org
Embark on a mesmerizing journey around the world for the 10th Anniversary of Ballet 5:8’s enchanting production of Beyond the Nutcracker as Emma and Uncle Abrahms discover the true meaning of Christmas. With remarkable artistry and critical acclaim, Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager masterfully weaves together diverse cultures, showcasing their vibrant movements and rhythms. Witness the chemistry between talented students and acclaimed professionals as they bring captivating Christmas stories from around the world to life.
Step into La Llorona, where Julianna Rubio Slager tenderly reinterprets the classic Mexican myth. Through poignant choreography, she navigates Maria's postpartum depression journey, shedding light on the silent struggles faced by many new mothers, particularly within minority communities. La Llorona is a heartfelt exploration of maternal pain, a call to action for greater awareness, support, and hope.
Visceral returns to the Museum of Contemporary Art for a dynamic program featuring driving forces in contemporary dance. A World Premiere by internationally acclaimed choreographer, Kevin O’Day, a World Premiere by multi-faceted Cuban powerhouse, Marco Palomino, and a World Premiere by Founder/Artistic Director, Nick Pupillo.
The program also includes the return of the dramatically beautiful duet, Mad Skin by Pupillo and 18+1, the joyous celebration, by Spanish choreographer Gustavo Ramírez Sansano.
On October 5th and 6th at the Harris Theatre Chicago, Ballet 5:8 adds yet another variation of "La Llorona" to shine light on the postpartum epidemic affecting women and families in modern society. Inspired by experiences from her own postpartum depression journey, Ballet 5:8 Founder and Artistic Director, Julianna Rubio Slager, uses this version of La Llorona to unpack the unresolved issues that could lead to tragic outcomes both in the tale and in real life when women are not properly cared for during postpartum.
Dance Divas, an annual fundraiser for the Chicago Dance Health Fund (CDHF), contributes to a legacy of more than 30 years of raising money to support the dance community’s health and wellness. This year marks a time of reorganization and growth for the event; it is not only being presented for the first time by the C5 Artists Foundation Chicago—a nonprofit organization formed in 2024 by Jay and Jeremy Plummer-Frankovich—but it is also changing venues to support an ever-expanding audience.
Art, audiences, connection and hope… These are the tenets laid out by PARA.MAR Dance Theatre. Artistic Director of PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, Stephanie Martinez, and a list of top-notch choreographers — Hélène Simoneau, Yin Yue, Xavier Nuñez and Jennifer Baldwin — present repertory works in “/ v. anthology /,” the company’s fifth-anniversary celebration at the Studebaker Theater from Sept. 20-21. Ambient soundtracks and colorful yet non-obtrusive lighting design by Julie Ballard, Jamie Fox and Kaili Story create a dreamlike labyrinth that is a pleasure to get lost in.
Red Clay Dance Company returns to the stage with our Fall Series: Turning Points on October 25-26, 2024. Witness the dynamic movement and compelling narratives in works by renowned choreographers, including Lela Aisha Jones, Amansu Eason, and our own Artistic Director, Vershawn Sanders-Ward at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts.
Tickets are available at www.redclaydance.com/season16
For Student, Senior or Group tickets please call the Logan Center Box office at 773.702.ARTS