March 2025: Shows You Gotta See (And More...)

 

Make way for March! The SeeChicagoDance calendar is filled to the brim this month with a panoply of dance from local and visiting artists—It's like dancers can't wait for warm weather before heating things up! Check out a curated list of Shows You Gotta See below, and continue reading for up-to-date news from the dance community.

 

Shows You Gotta See (March)

 

Ragamala Dance Company presents "Children of Dharma" March 21-22 at Harris Theatre

1. Chicago Solo Spotlight Festival - THICK: a crumbling freak show by Po'Chop and Cosmic Docks by Nora Sharp (The Dance Center, March 13-15)

From the artists -

"The Dance Center [of Columbia College Chicago] continues to spotlight Chicago dance artists who are pushing the boundaries of the form. The 2025 Festival features two world premieres: THICK: a crumbling freak show is a multimedia solo performance by Jenn Freeman | Po’Chop that confronts notions of femininity and civility and calls into question the creation of otherness." "Cosmic Docks is a dance-theater one-them-show from Nora Sharp, born from the outer space of trans dis-certainty that journeys down a choreographic and comedic rabbit hole of intertwined sci-fi futurism and personal history. Shaped by repression, resistance, and modestly-managed anxiety, Cosmic Docks charts a pathway beyond queer and trans legibility."

For more information, check out the event page here.

To read more about the Jenn Freeman | Po’Chop, click here.

 

2. Time Will Tell, w/ Sara Hook, David Parker and Roxane D’Orleans (Links Hall, March 14)

From the artists -

"Sara Hook (University of Illinois) and David Parker (The Bang Group) join forces with the indomitable Roxane D’Orleans Juste (Limón Dance Company) to present a program of vigorous, purposeful dancing leavened by their characteristic gimlet-eyed wit. Expect velcro suits, queer romance, the collision of Cecchetti ballet and ‘60s social dancing, kinetic quips, post-modernist remnants, dangerous rhythms and soulful revelations."

For more information, check out the event page here.

To learn more about David Parker and The Bang Group, check out this article Dance Magazine here.

 

3. Ragamala presents "Children of Dharma" (Harris Theatre, March 21-22)

Mineapolis-based Ragamala Dance Company returns after wowing audiences "Fires of Varanasi" (2021) with a new work, "Children of Dharma."

From the artists -

"Children of Dharma explores life— forever sprouting, transforming, dissolving, and renewing— through three characters from the Hindu epic The Mahabharata. These myths reveal the power of ancient cultures to reaffirm humanity’s relationship with nature and the sacred, and provoke a visceral response to crises over the ages, from environmental devastation and oppression to unjust wars. Through lush visual imagery, an original recorded score, and poetic movement that integrates intimate solos with powerful ensemble choreography..."

For more information, check out the event page here.

To read more about Ragamala, check out a review of "Fires of Varanasi" here.

 

4. LEVELdance presents "The RED DOOR" (The Edge Theater, March 28-30)

From the artists -

"THE RED DOOR" is inspired by Japan’s underground sex clubs, unravels the transactional nature of companionship and the masks people wear in their search for connection. This immersive production plunges into themes of ambition, competition, intimacy, and desire—exploring the sacrifices made in the relentless pursuit of power and survival." "Co-Artistic Directors Eddy Ocampo and Brandon DiCriscio present THE RED DOOR LEVELdance’s first evening-length production since 2016—an evocative experience that dares to blur the lines between passion and performance, reality and illusion."

For more information, check out the event page here.

To read more about LEVELdance's Eddy Ocampo, check out a an interview from the SeeChicagoDance archives here.

 

And More...

1. Hedwig Dances celbrates their 40th Anniversary!

From the artists -

"In 1985, Mrs. Bartoszek created Hedwig Dances to develop and perform her choreography and provide a base for her educational touring programs to share with the broader communities." "For 20 years (1992 – 2011), Hedwig Dances served as the Dance Company-In-Residence at the Chicago Cultural Center under the visionary leadership and invitation of the late Lois Weisberg (Commissioner, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, 1989–2011)." "The critically acclaimed and award-winning dance ensemble has presented over 1,500 performances at prestigious venues throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, the Midwest and beyond... among myriad other residencies and outreach programs over the past three decades." (HedwigDances.com) The company celebrates the milestone with "Hedwig + Bauhaus" at the Ruth Page Center April 25-27.

To read the company's whole story, visit their website here.

 

2. Dancer Francisco Lemus named one of Dance Magazine's 2025 "25 to Watch"

From the artists -

"[On January 1,] Trinity Irish Dance Company company member Francisco Lemus was honored as one of Dance Magazine’s 2025 “25 to Watch," a prestigious honor awarded to a select group of dancers, choreographers, directors, and companies that are trailblazing their way to big breakouts in the dance world. Reigning from Puebla, Mexico, Lemus discovered Irish dance via YouTube and was inspired to take up the form at age 12 and began taking lessons, requiring him and his father to travel three hours each way to class in Cuernavaca where his competitive dance career accelerated. Becoming a groundbreaking Latin American dancer, [Lemus] placed 6th in the World Championships, won top honors at the US National Championships and twice became the US Southern Regional Champion.

After succumbing to what might have been career-ending injuries, facing a difficult rehabilitation process, and reckoning with numerous rejections from commercial Irish dance shows, [Lemus'] chances of dancing professionally seemed dire, until he received a return call from the Trinity Irish Dance Company.  As a Trinity Irish Dance Company Main Company Artist, Lemus has quickly become the heart of the company, both in his unique movement style and his contagious gratitude and passion. In addition to his work at TIDC, Lemus' career as a tap dancer has flourished through performances at tap and jazz festivals throughout Mexico, and he continues to inspire the next generation of percussive dancers by teaching both Irish and tap dance in Mexico City."

You can see Francisco Lemus perform this May as TIDC kicks off their 35th anniversary season at the Musuem of Contemporary Art.

Read the full article from Dance Magazine here.

 

3. Chicago looses a tap dance matriarch with the passing of Audrey Barret a.k.a. Mama Rhythms

It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of Audrey Barret, the mother of world-renownked tap dancers Bril Barrett, Starinah Dixon and Ja'bowen Dixon, and office manager at the M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy in Bronzeville. A former Black Panther, "Mama Rhythms" instilled a sense of rebellion, hope and wonder—not to mention rhythm—in the hearts of her children and everyone who has come into contact with her and M.A.D.D. Rhythms since the company began in 2001. A capable hoofer in her own right, she warmly welcomed anyone who showed respect for "the dance" regardless of race, belief or background. Bril Barrett, Director of M.A.D.D. Rhythms, can often be heard telling stories from his youth about how his mother would sacrifice her own want and comfort to afford his tap classes, accompanying him on long commutes via public transportation to give him the best instruction possible. Audrey Barrett is the matriarch of a Chicago dance dynasty, and her legacy lives on.