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In an innovative celebration of dance, Dovetail Studios and Same Planet Performance Project (SPPP) launched the "3320 Series," a two-weekend showcase of the depth and diversity of Chicago's dance scene. The November 1st lineup featured performances by seasoned artists Bob Eisen and Terrance Marling with a premiere work by SPPP. Set in the intimate black box theater at The Garage, the evening provided an immersive experience, allowing the audience to connect deeply with the artistry just three feet away.

With Halloween upon us, the season of the witch is alive and well in the newest work by Nejla Yatkin, “The Other Witch,” at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts on November 9th, at 7 pm. Yatkin invited SeeChicagoDance to a run-through of the work at Links Hall, alongside her dramaturge Susan Manning, videographer Enki Andrews and assistant Chloe Bigelow.

Oct. 4-6, M.A.D.D. Rhythms hosted the annual Chicago Tap Summit, a weekend dedicated to celebrating and promoting the art of tap dance. The summit highlighted the rich history of tap and encouraged innovation and creativity by bringing together dancers, educators and tap dance enthusiasts from around the world. The festival presented a split bill on Saturday evening at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, the first act featured a showcase of faculty members while the second act debuted the work of M.A.D.D. Rhythms company member Andrew Carr’s “To Love You ALL WAYS.”

Physical spaces, like a childhood home or favorite park, evoke vivid memories and serve as tangible markers of past experiences. These locations, with their unique sensory details, anchor our memories, making the past feel immediate and accessible and allowing us to relive moments from our lives through our once-inhabited spaces.

In “Cycles,” dance becomes a celebration of life's continual rhythms and a testament to the beauty found in transformation. The Seldoms and Hedwig Dances presented four works on this theme at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, July 12-13. The caliber of dance presented by both companies through innovative choreography, exceptional technical skill and creative world-building raises the standard of artistic excellence in the Chicago dance community. “Cycles” not only enriches the cultural fabric of the city but also sets a new benchmark for artistic achievement and aspiration.

"Though she be but little, she is fierce!" This timeless quote from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" encapsulates the essence of a remarkable individual who defies expectations with her strength and determination. Despite her small stature, she possesses an indomitable spirit and a fierce determination that radiates through every aspect of her being, and her impact transcends physical size. Amid the bustling dance scene of Chicago, a contemporary dance company echoes Shakespeare’s sentiment. Though small, their artistic impact resonates powerfully and defies expectations with every performance. Moonwater Dance Project (MDP) presented “Moonwater VI” at the Ruth Page Center June 28-30, to celebrate the end of their sixth season. Founded by artistic director Mackenzie King with a vision of innovation and expression by women, this group thrives on pushing boundaries and exploring storytelling through dance.

In a whirl of rhythm and grace, “Can You Hear Us Now? The Queer Tap Dance Revolution,” performed by Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) on June 20, celebrates diverse identities and tap dance history through movement, sound and unbridled emotion. First-time director Molly Smith curates a show that underscores the remarkable similarities of queer identity and tap dance in this glorification of individuality, resilience against adversity and the power of self-expression. Great tap dancers and musicians who either identified as LGBTQ+ or worked towards breaking down barriers of gender were honored throughout the evening through projected slides and tributary works.

When I remember my childhood, I fondly remember summer evenings spent outdoors staring into the fading sunset through the lens of a kaleidoscope. I gazed in wonder as it transformed ordinary light into a symphony of mesmerizing patterns and colors. With each gentle twist of the cylinder, new shapes and hues were revealed, each arrangement more captivating than the last. It is a testament to the boundless creativity of the human mind and the endless possibilities that emerge when we view the world through a different lens.

A diverse tapestry of people gathered at the Pritzker Pavilion at Millenium Park on Father’s Day, June 16. Families with children perched on lawn chairs beside elderly couples with picnic lunches, their faces lit with anticipation. United by their shared love for movement and music, they gathered to watch the Joffrey Ballet Chicago (JBC) and its affiliates, Joffrey Academy and Joffrey Community Engagement program, in a free outdoor performance.

Navigating the professional dance world presents many challenges that test the resilience and dedication of a young dancer. The journey is fraught with obstacles, from fierce competition for limited opportunities to the constant pressure to maintain physical capabilities. Financial instability often looms, with many young dancers grappling with balancing their passion with the practicalities of making ends meet. The demanding nature of the profession takes a toll on emotional well-being as dancers confront performance anxiety, self-doubt, and the ever-present fear of rejection.

Chicago Repertory Ballet's mixed repertory program, "Modern Motions," was an exhilarating evening of dance at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, which showcased the company's versatility and technical prowess. The bill featured two world premiers, two company premiers and two pieces of CRB repertoire. Each dance was a unique expression of emotion, movement and narrative, seamlessly blending classical techniques with innovative contemporary styles.

What if an emcee were a prophet? While on the surface disparate, prophets and emcees share many common ideals and characteristics as communicators and influencers. Prophets convey spiritual truths and guidance to their followers, often with a sense of urgency and moral imperative. Similarly, emcees, particularly in hip-hop culture, serve as modern-day griots, using their lyrical prowess to convey narratives, social commentary and personal experiences to their audience.

The human experience is a tapestry woven with threads of opposing emotional states, each contrasting hue adding depth to the fabric. Joy goes hand in hand with sorrow, laughter coincides with tears, hope casts a light against despair and fear and courage are unlikely companions. Each emotion challenges another in the struggle for dominance over the human spirit. The true essence of humanity is revealed within the delicate balance of those opposing forces.

The Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” which encapsulates the idea that when elements come together to form a collective entity, it has greater capabilities leading to something new and greater. Take, for example, a professional dance company like Visceral Dance Chicago (VDC). The dancers, each with their strengths, perspectives, and weaknesses, are joined together to embody a new entity capable of creating and performing great artistry. However, the focus on the whole can overshadow the unique abilities and styles of the individual dancers.

Creating a platform for artistic development from scratch is a monumental task requiring earned respect and trust from your community. To gain that esteem takes hard work and dedication, and there is no better organization in the Chicago dance community to do so than Trifecta Dance Collective. 

Have you ever watched a dance performance and wondered how the dancers learned the steps?  Maybe you were curious about what inspired the piece?  Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre (CRDT) pulls back the curtain in their recurring Inside/Out performance series. The company performs works in progress, gives a glimpse into the rehearsal process, and allows for the audience to input their own ideas and observations.

Those who have experienced a fever dream can tell you that it is often a bizarre, vivid, or unpleasant experience. Those who wake up from these dreams are often discombobulated, unsure of whether what they encountered was fact or fiction, and some may even have a change of perspective from the ordeal—popular culture examples being “The Wizard Of Oz” or “Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland.”

The name Gus Giordano is synonymous with jazz dance, as composer George Gershwin is to jazz music.  Both Giordano and Gershwin were pioneers in their fields, bringing liveliness, excitement, and a daring boldness to their works. Not only did Giordano codify his own jazz dance technique but he also wrote the renowned Anthology of American Jazz Dance (1976), still in use today.  Students of jazz dance have been affected by his foundational teachings for decades.

The word liaison commonly refers to a person acting as an ambassador, tour guide, or escort—someone who serves to establish a connection between two entities unable to connect due to cultural, linguistic or other barriers.  Not often do we think of an artform serving as this intermediary, but at the Den Theatre three professional, transatlantic tap companies demonstrated how tap dance can transcend human obstacles such as language to create an evening of joy and laughter, married through the celebration of rhythm in motion. 

Same Planet Performance Project thrives in the absurd with its newest work, Dingbat, choreographed by Artistic Director Joanna Read. Dingbat was presented at SPPP’s home base: The Garage at Dovetail Studios. "In a world that is both absurd and complex....instead of breaking we find ways to exist,” (Dingbat press release, 2024)  SPPP not only exists within this absurd and complex world, but in its 27th year of creating work in Chicago, it is apparent that they continue to thrive.

Absent from Chicago since 2006, Complexions Contemporary Ballet (CCB) returns to present “Star Dust: From Bach To David Bowie” at the Auditorium Theatre at 7:30pm, February 3. The first half of the evening will present a sampling of excerpts from their 30-year-long histoy, including “Chaconne,” “Choke,”  “Pocket Symphony,” “Elegy,” “Work It Out" and the critically acclaimed "Star Dust."

Co-MISSION Works-In-Progress presented resident artists Eshan Rafi, Jamila Kekulah, and AiRos 頌恩 medill (performing as ZIRán) at Links Hall this past December 15th. They have been developing their work since September and will again present their investigations in Spring 2024. At the end of the night, there was a talk back presented by the Artist Programs Manager and Associate Curator Aaliyah Christina.  Audience members expressed gratitude to the artists for sharing such personal work that conveyed distinct cultural backgrounds and unique research inquiries.

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater presented an evening of impeccable dance on November 3rd, 2023, at the Auditorium Theater. Their mixed bill was met by an enthusiastic audience that fed off the energy of the dancers on stage, and reciprocated with thunderous applause, vocal outcries of joy, and standing ovations for two of the five works presented.

The Harris Theatre for Music and Dance was buzzing with electricity following the performance of “Season 61: UNLIMITED” by Giordano Dance Chicago, last Friday night, October 27th. The audience was bombarded with vigorous dancing, driving music, and powerhouse performances by the season 61 ensemble.