Dance Chicago Festival at St Alphonsus Theater in November

Dance Chicago is a wonderful festival that runs all through November with several different programs that feature local Chicago Dance Troupes performing different styles of dance. Every dance troupe taking part in the festival is top notch and puts on a spectacular show. Even if you don’t know much about dance, you should go and see some performances. They will open your mind to what dancing can be. It’s not all stiff ballet. They have every style imagineable from tap, to jazz to modern, to tango, to Irish dance, to ballroom (ala Dancing with the Stars) to Latin to all kinds of free form interesting work. I have attended Dance Chicago every year for the past 5 years and I love seeing what creative, innovative, new movement these troupes will create with music and usually a story too. Every dance tells a story, even if they don’t say it does, let your mind wander and interpret one. You will enjoy watching dance performances more. I always look into the dance as a story with characters and a plot. They don’t have to talk at all for there to be a dialouge going on. It’s so amazing you go home wanting to dance yourself.

The festival is run by John Schmidt and he always has brought together amazing and different styles of dance to create these amazing shows. His partner in running the shows passed away within the past few years and I am glad to see that the show still goes on. It’s a memory and tribute to him and I am sure he would have wanted it to continue. John also runs a space in the St. Alphonsus church school on the 3 rd floor where he rents out the classrooms to dancers and arts performers of all kinds that need affordable rental space to practice. I have rented those rooms at times, and I have really appreciated that they were available. It’s a simple space but it is crucial to the arts community’s survival that it is available.

This year’s program is divided into 13 different “programs” which are all different shows with different groups performing their best dances. So there is a lot to see and a lot to choose from. Here is a rundown of the different programs in a list and summary and dates that you can get tickets for Dance Chicago this year.  (from the dancechicago site) Tiekcts are available at the Athenaeum Box office or through Ticketmaster. Or to have them send out a brochure booklet of all the listings call 773/935-6860.

Opening Weekend – Fri, Nov. 2, 2007, 6:30 pm
Fri, Nov. 2, 2007, 8:00 pm
Sat, Nov. 3, 2007, 8:00 pm
Sun, Nov. 4, 2007, 3:00 pm
Tickets: $25 A high-octane, foot-to-the-floor Opening Weekend with River North Chicago Dance Company, Deeply Rooted Productions, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Istanbul Dance Theatre, Joffrey dancers and more. See ballet, tap, Irish, jazz, hip hop, contemporary and live music.
 

Dance for Kids too! - Sat, Nov. 3, 2007, 2:00 pm
Sat, Nov. 10, 2007, 2:00 pm
Sat, Nov. 17, 2007, 2:00 pm
Tickets: $15 adults and $5 children under 12
Dances for kids, yes, but also for the entire family. All dance forms are represented. Dances are short, fun and accessible. If your kid wants to dance, this is a must see. It’s a Dance Chicago tradition: The ROPE WARRIOR does moves with jump ropes you never thought possible.

Extended Views – Wed, Nov. 7, 2007, 7:30 pm Contemporary
Wed, Nov. 14, 2007, 7:30 pm Hip Hop
Tickets: $20  Ever wanted to see several dances of that special artist all on the same program? Well, we’ve got the answer. For years these award winning Chicago choreographers have been creating dances you love. Now they put it all together on one magical EXTENDED VIEW. Curated by the artists. This show is more intended for people who have a knowledge of the dancers and their work already. If you’re new to Dance Chicago an opening or closing night might be a better cross section and sample of dances to enjoy.

New Moves (always one of my favorites) – Thu, Nov. 8, 2007, 7:30 pm
Fri, Nov. 9, 2007, 8:00 pm
Thu, Nov. 15, 2007, 7:30 pm
Tickets: $20   See Chicago’s newest, hottest choreographers and the city’s best dancers. Together they create all-new dances – and each night is different. See the best dances before anyone else.

International Rhythms – Sat, Nov. 10, 2007, 8:00 pm
Sun, Nov. 11, 2007, 3:00 pm
Tickets: $25  In this new program, live music weaves together works and sounds from world cultures into a single, seamless collaboration. INTERNATIONAL GUESTS and Chicago’s rich ethnic companies show you Latin, Spanish, African, Russian ballet, Turkish, Indian, contemporary fusion and surprises galore.

Dance Slam – Tue, Nov. 13, 2007, 7:30 pm
Tue, Nov. 20, 2007, 7:30 pm
Tue, Nov. 27, 2007, 7:30 pm
Tickets: $10  Interactive dance competitions, with a non-stop beat! This is a fast race – each work is five minutes or less, and you vote for the winners. Every night is different. This show is the most affordable to try if cost is a concern. It is still packed with lots of excitement and great dancing though.

Dance Slam Part Two – Wed, Nov. 28, 2007, 7:30 pm
Tickets: $15 Your favorites from each night of Part One return to the race track, and our panel of experts picks the winner. Someone has to be the overall winner. Come back again to vote!

Dance Chicago All Stars – Fri, Nov. 16, 2007, 8:00 pm
Sun, Nov. 18, 2007, 3:00 pm
Tickets: $25  We’ve taken the best of the Dance Chicago repertory and created our own dance company that now tours the world. See the show before it takes off on its global journey. This is a good place to start if you have never seen Dance Chicago before. It’s a sample of a lot of different dances.

Best Moves: Sat, Nov. 17, 2007, 8:00 pm
Fri, Nov. 30, 2007, 8:00 pm
Tickets: $25  See the victory lap as the best new acts from New Moves and other programs earn a place in our hearts and in to future festivals.

Holiday Kids Show – Sat, Nov. 24, 2007, 2:00 pm
Sat, Dec. 1, 2007, 2:00 pm
Tickets: $15 adults, $5 children under 12  The most popular holiday dance program in Chicago! Created for all ages. You’ll see Nutcracker excerpts, magical stories and seasonal delights. And, yes, the Rope Warrior is in this program as well. Get the kids out to get inspired to start dancing.

Jazz Fusion – Fri, Nov. 23, 2007, 8:00 pm
Sat, Nov. 24, 2007, 8:00 pm, Sun, Nov. 25, 2007, 3:00 pm
Tickets: $20  Sleek, hot and daring. Year after year, this is a gold standard of urban beat. You’ll see jazz, steppin’, tap, hip-hop, Latin and contemporary fusion. Chicago’s jazz is world renowned and this showcases the mind-boggling artistry and precision of the city’s best interpreters of that sound.

Anything Goes the Barzel Entertainment Awards Show – Thu, Nov. 29, 2007, 7:30 pm
Tickets: $20  Part dance, part comedy, part cabaret, all of it entertaining – just the way Ann liked it. The winner takes home a $1000 prize. Prepare to be entertained…big time. This is new this year, and I am going to go see it and find out what this new show is all about. And how comedy fits in with Dance.

Grand Finale – Sat, Dec. 1, 2007, 8:00 pm
Sun, Dec. 2, 2007, 3:00 pm
Sun, Dec. 2, 2007, 7:00 pm
Tickets: $25  Speeding to the finish line, here is the last performance of our season! The best works of the finest companies showcase ballet, tap, jazz, Irish, hip-hop, contemporary and live music in a grand sendoff. If you don’t see any other shows, go see this one. Its the best of the fest and the last weekend in the festival.

I also have to mention that if you can’t atted this year’s Dance Chicago festival and still love and support the arts through yearly charitable contributions, please consider adding them to your list. I don’t know of a more deserving organization that brings such amazement to audiences through the arts. If you would like to send a contribution to Dance Chicago please send it to them at: Dance Chicago, Emergence Productions, 5851 N. Kenmore, 3F, Chicago, IL 60660

And enjoy the show!