Author’s note: The story I wanted to share was one of personal loss, and how dance helped me move through a period of grieving. Now, with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are sadly in a time where we are collectively and personally faced with losses of many kinds. I share my story, though, with a feeling of hope for our collective ability to move through this to another place. Grief is universal.  And healing is as well. 

Many Chicagoans have been sheltering in place for the last two months. Maybe you’re used to working out and rehearsing every day, or maybe staying at home provides welcome reprieve from a jam-packed schedule. Either way, you’re likely growing tired of sitting still. Maybe you even feel that traditional workouts aren’t really your “thing.” Now what? While you may be tempted to do some online shopping, you don’t need any expensive equipment to get the most out of training in the comfort of your living space!

Each month, I preview upcoming dance events for See Chicago Dance, highlighting the productions that excite me the most. My job is to entice dance audiences to circle a date in their calendars, to make room for dance and to experience something they might otherwise not have tried.

If more sedentary living hasn’t gotten you down yet, isolation and disconnect from support groups has almost certainly taken its toll on your mental health. When it feels like your eyeballs are about to jump out of your head, you’ve refreshed every social media app on your phone twice, you’ve already taken an Instagram Live dance class and Zoomed a dozen Zooms, how can you connect with loved ones without going online?