At See Chicago Dance, we strive to tell the truth, and the truth is that August generally sees a dip in the number of dance performances being produced. But that’s a good thing because, well, dancers need a break, too! August is a great time for dancers to recuperate their body and mind by taking a vacation or engaging in other hobbies or taking on additional teaching work, activities difficult to do when you rehearse 2-3 days a week plus have a “regular” job and are committed to dancing in shows on the weekends. But that doesn’t mean that the scene isn’t hoppin’, and less shows means less hard decisions, like having to choose between two or more amazing companies or artists performing on the same day (I wish we could see them all!). So, embrace the freedom of limitation and use SCD’s calendar of events to make finding great performances easier—we receive updates daily! Performances, workshops, festivals, celebrations and FREE events make August a superb time to… See Chicago Dance!
“Sacred Art” is the annual rep show and fundraiser for Movement Revolution Dance Crew and features works created by current members of MRDC as well as pieces from across the crew’s 15-year history.
From the artists:
“Get ready to see flipping, freestyling, and performers donning custom-made cosplay for fandom-themed rep! This performance is fun, family-friendly, and includes crowd participation and community engagement. Funding from this rep show allows MRDC to continue to pay our artists for rehearsals and performances, hold accessible community classes, battles, jams, and offer free educational programs throughout Chicago.”
For tickets and more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.
2. “Dance For Life,” Aug. 16 @ 6pm, Auditorium Theatre-50 E Ida B Wells Dr
Chicago Dance Health Fund presents its 34th annual “Dance for Life,” originally organized to raise support for dancers affected by HIV/AIDS but has now grown into a major fundraising event to provide support for emergency financial assistance for dancers with critical health needs.
From Chicago Dance Health Fund:
“The essence of Dance for Life lies in its dual purpose—celebrating life through dance while supporting life through aid. All performers generously donate their time, talent, and energy, ensuring that every dollar raised can go directly to supporting the health and wellness of dance professionals across Chicago. Since its inception, Dance for Life has raised over 8 million dollars, helping fund dance industry critical health need grants and general health and wellness grants, among other vital initiatives of CDHF.”
For more information and discount tickets, visit the event page by clicking HERE.
3. “Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions,” Aug. 23 @ 6pm, Harris Theater-205 E Randolph
Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, an historic coalition of Black -owned and -operated dance companies whose goal is to uplift the whole community, returns to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance with an exciting lineup of new works, old favorites and some of the cities hottest dancers, companies and crews.
From CBDLP:
“Through a powerful tapestry of movement, storytelling, and innovation, “Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions” celebrates the depth and breadth of Black dance in Chicago… [the] performance spotlights ten of Chicago’s most compelling dance companies across diverse artistic genres — including contemporary, jazz, tap, and much more. This transformative experience compels each cohort company to amplify their artistic voice, break new creative ground, and reimagine aesthetics in a manner that stays true to their mission, vision, and values.”
For more information and a list of performers, visit the event page by clicking HERE.
1. “Art of Being: Move with Waterways,” w/ Ayako Kato, Aug. 9 @ 10am, Ping Tom Memorial Park-1700 S. Wentworth. FREE
In various locations along the Chicago River, join dance artist Ayako Kato and three guest instructors for three different integrated holistic outdoor workshops focused on humans’ relationship with water and waterways. “Each guest instructor will be sharing very precious handouts with participants for us to keep up our inspiration,” says Kato. “Through these physically engaged sessions, I hope for us to deepen embodied holistic perspectives on and practices through our body-mind environment in relation to our living environment and vice versa.” (All sessions will have ASL interpretation.) The workshops are produced by Night Out in the Parks and are FREE for all to attend. “Along with the Chicago River, sway and dance with the wind, light, and grasses, finding symbiotic nature within and around yourself in a city!!
For more information and locations, visit the event page by clicking HERE.
2. “BIOS Festival,” Aug. 22-23, Ballet 5:8 Black Box-11545 183rd Place, Orland Park
“BIOS” comes from the Greek word for “life,” and Ballet 5:8 presents a festival that is a living, breathing mosaic of human experience, featuring works by choreographers and artists whose voices are too often left at the margins.
From Ballet 5:8:
“BIOS is more than a performance—it is a sacred space where stories take form through the human body. In this festival, we invite audiences to experience dance not just as art, but as living testimony… This season’s festival features a dynamic range of pieces—from deeply personal solo works to collaborative ensemble creations—each exploring themes of identity, loss, faith, justice, and rebirth… Whether rooted in cultural memory, family legacy, or spiritual awakening, each piece is a mirror and a window: a reflection of self and an invitation to see the world through someone else’s eyes.”
For tickets and more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.
3. See Chicago Dance’s “Summer Community Convening,” Aug. 27, 12-1:30pm,
Old Town School of Folk Music-4545 N. Lincoln, FREE
Join See Chicago Dance for the Summer Community Convening, where guest presenter Zachary Whittenburg, Program Officer at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, will lead a session titled Gather Support For Your Work: Insights for Grantseekers. With over 20 years in Chicago’s arts scene—from performer to funder—Zac offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the funding landscape. The event includes a practical presentation for grantseekers, followed by a one-on-one conversation with SCD Executive Director Julia Mayer.
For more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.
4. “Outlaw of the Arts Festival,” Aug. 28-30, Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble-1650 W. Foster
Presented by We Are Collective, “Outlaw of the Arts Festival” highlights queerness as power through education and performance. The three-day festival includes workshops and performances by queer Chicago artists.
From We Are Collective:
“Day one will consist of classes ranging in topics to highlight radical ways to advocate, uplift, and move forward through community. Day two will be an en masse performance of queer revolution ranging from contemporary dance, to film, to drag, to spoken word in a short form composition! Day three will be a long form evening based on the idea of revolution, not specifically queer revolution. In addition to the 18 artists and companies performing, the Queer Art Market by We Are Collective will also be hosted before the show and at intermission. Community groups will be tabling to offer information, resources, and ways to engage with their organizations pre-show and during intermission as well!”
For tickets and more information, visit the event page by clicking HERE.
1. “Celebrate Shirley Mordine” Aug. 9 @ 6pm, Dance Center of Columbia College-1306 S Michigan
Celebrate the life and accomplishments of prolific dancer and choreographer, Shirley Mordine, founder of The Dance Troupe (later, Mordine & Company Dance Theater) and who established the Dance Center of Columbia College, which she directed until 1999.
From the organizers:
“Join family and friends to toast Shirley’s extraordinary life with shared stories and imagery from her 50+ years as a choreographer, dance educator, and presenter. Enjoy live jazz, appetizers and cocktails and connect with community and loved ones. Part of the celebration will be the announcement of the Shirley Mordine Dancemaker Fund in honor of her prolific legacy and lifelong commitment to dance.”
For more information and tickets, visit the event page by clicking HERE.
2. Footwork Appreciation Month: It’s Official!
From Press Release:
“We’re proud to share that Footwork Appreciation Month is now officially recognized in Cook County. The resolution was passed and celebrated at the Get It on the Floor: F.A.M. Press Conference and Resolution Rally, presented by Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps on July 24, 2025 at the County Building in downtown Chicago. This historic moment marks a powerful step forward in honoring Chicago’s street dance legacy, and we’re grateful to everyone who showed up, danced, spoke, and witnessed this milestone.”
Congratulations to all the Chicago Footworkers from See Chicago Dance!
To learn more, check out this article in the Sun-Times by Selena Kuznikov by clicking HERE.
3. Lyric Opera of Chicago & The Joffrey Ballet Announce Seven-Year Contract Extension.
Joffrey Ballet’s partnership with the historic opera house emboldens the company to present larger works both in scope of production, variety of work and number of dancers on stage.
From Press Release:
“Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Joffrey Ballet today announce the extension of Joffrey’s current seven-year rental agreement with Lyric for an additional seven years, proudly ensuring Joffrey’s status as the Resident Ballet Company of the historic Lyric Opera House through June 30, 2034… This news comes on the heels of the Joffrey’s record-breaking production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, by Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, which concluded its run at the Lyric Opera House on June 22, 2025. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was the Company’s largest production ever mounted (beyond its beloved The Nutcracker, also by Wheeldon) in terms of the scale of the production design and the number of dancers performing on the Lyric Opera House stage… ‘Joffrey’s move to the Lyric Opera House, a partnership between two of Chicago’s leading cultural institutions, has opened the door to bigger, bolder storytelling,’ says The Joffrey Ballet President and CEO Greg Cameron. ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland broke records, and last year’s Nutcracker marked the most successful production in our history, with 71,000 tickets sold. Lyric’s expansive stage also allowed us to mount our three largest productions to date: The Little Mermaid, Frankenstein, and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, paving the way for new commissions like Atonement and next season’s Eugene Onegin.”
To read the full press release, visit The Joffrey Ballet’s website by clicking HERE.
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