What The Moon Pulls

Lucy Vurusic-Riner’s What the Moon Pulls is an exploration of the ebb and flow of the moon’s cycles and it’s inherent hold on us as human beings. The evening length work for eight dancers is performed in the round, using space as a metaphor for each of the phases of the moon. The audience experiences a unique vantage point that investigates the relationship between our moon and the oceans and the parallels that exist in all human relationships. We are asked to consider our own behavioral patterns and their connections to the moons phases and our zodiac houses.

Culture Shock International Choreographer's Showcase

Hip hop dance in a classical venue? For the first time the Culture Shock International Choreographer’s Showcase comes to the prestigious Harris Theater, featuring the world’s best choreographers from San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Toronto, Ottawa, Switzerland and Chicago.  This uniquely entertaining showcase brings together art, class and urban culture. Don’t miss this historic groundbreaking event for arts in the city of Chicago!

 

Lil Pine Nut: Chicago Dance Crash's refreshing hip-hop take on the puppet Pinocchio

Aug 24, 2019 | By Jordan Kunkel

Right away it was clear that this is not your average Pinocchio. 

Lights softly faded in at the beginning of Chicago Dance Crash’s “Lil Pine Nut: The Learning Curve of Pinocchio” to reveal a stage empty except for dancer Monternez Rezell, as Geppetto, in the corner, spinning a record on a small DJ stand. Ditching Geppetto’s puppet shop for a hip hop and breakdance studio, Chicago Dance Crash smoothly established their modern take on the classic story that would later lead to inventive partnering, footwork to The Beach Boys and never-ending spectacle. 

Randy Duncan and Margaret Nelson reflect on their 25 years at Dance for Life

Aug 13, 2019 | By Lynn Colburn Shapiro

Chicago Dancers United (CDU) is what Dance for Life is all about. As the umbrella organization which produces the annual Dance for Life gala and performance, CDU unites Chicago dancers of all stripes to provide assistance for dance professionals experiencing health crises. It has become a unique emblem for what Chicago dance is all about as well. 

It’s called 'Mass' and performed in a church, but this is no ordinary sermon

Aug 11, 2019 | By Lauren Warnecke

On entering Ebenezer Lutheran Church Saturday, DJ Natalie Shamoun is stationed to one side of the altar spinning from a laptop as two performers, Allison Burke and Drew Lewis, are busy behind her. Burke and Lewis are dressed in hunter green basketball shorts and black tube socks, shirtless, their nipples concealed with pancake makeup. They flank the raised platform, taping flyers with either “Allison” or “Drew” typed across a crucifix to Ebenezer’s curved white walls.

Dancing to Dream

An evening of original dance benefiting Make-A-Wish® Illinois. Proceeds of this choreographic event will be granted to the foundation to ensure sponsored kids wishes come true. 

Join choreographers Jacqueline Stewart, Shannon Alvis, Rebecca Lemme, Anna Long, Lizzie MacKenzie, Jessica Miller Tomlinson and Chicago Repertory Ballet with premiere works specific to this event. 

Summer Dance Community Convening

 
2019 Summer Dance Community Convening

Wednesday, August 21
Convening 3:00pm-4:30pm 
Networking 4:30pm-5:00pm (drinks and snacks will be provided)

Join us at the Reva and David Logan Center's 
Screening Room 
915 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637

Grab a beer or some wine and engage in discussions, hear industry news, and more!

DON’T MISS THESE HIGHLIGHTS

Hip-hop shapes the narrative in August dance

Jul 29, 2019 | By Lauren Warnecke

Chicago’s dance calendar marks the end of summer with Dance for Life and the SummerDance Celebration. Or, rather than signaling the end of summer, maybe these beloved dance events – one that’s nearly 30 years old and another that's in year three – sound the alarms that fall dance is on the way. Before then, there’s still a lot of dance to be seen, much of it using street dance to tell stories. From re-imagined fairy tales to personal encounters with the criminal justice system, hip-hop and street dance artists are drawing from a well of rich narratives on Chicago’s stages this month.