Chicago Bursts Into Dance Next Week
It may seem extravagant to take a trip to Chicago for a long weekend— depending on where you are in the country. But if the purpose is to attend the Chicago Dancing Festival, Aug. 25–29, it would be well worth it.
The Joffrey’s Rory Hohenstein in Justin Peck’s “In Creases,” photo by Cheryl Mann
Aside from dazzling selections of ballet, modern, and tap, there will be a tribute to co-founder Lar Lubovitch and a program that celebrates women in modern dance. Lubovitch has made a career of gorgeous, flowing, complex pieces that combine the line of ballet with the groundedness and daring of modern dance. He’s a choreographer who has danced to his own drum, no matter what the trends are, for five decades.
The local Chicago area, always brimming with a diversity of dance, will be represented by the Joffrey Ballet in Justin Peck’s In Creases, a world premiere by tap maven Lane Alexander for Chicago Human Rhythm Project, and Hubbard Street performing Crystal Pite’s beguiling, confounding A Picture of You Falling.
Opening night includes Lubovitch’s The Black Rose; Ballet Hispanico in Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s sweet, funny, poignant romp El Beso; and Pam Tanowitz Dance performing to live music by members of the Chicago Philharmonic.
Lar Lubovitch’s “The Black Rose” photo by Yi-Chun Wu
The second night is the “Modern Women” night, bringing together icons of history with current women among us. On the bill are Lori Belilove & The Isadora Duncan Dance Company, a Martha Graham soloist in Graham’s Deep Song, Kate Weare Dance Company, and the Pite and Tanowitz works.
The next three nights hold more goodies including the Joffrey in Stanton Welch’s luscious Maninyas, Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante from Miami City Ballet, a pas de deux from American Ballet Theatre, Brian Brooks Moving Company, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
The Joffrey’s Amanda Assucena and Fabrice Calmels in “Maninyas” by Stanton Welch. photo by Cheryl Mann.
Curious to know more about these choreographers? We’ve filmed “Choreography in Focus” interviews with Lar Lubovitch, Crystal Pite, Kate Weare and Stanton Welch.
The entire festival, stretched over five days and four venues, is FREE! For full schedule, click here.
