The Eifman Ballet of Saint Petersburg Russia comes to Chicago with a dramatic contemporary story ballet about the tumultuous life of world-famous sculptor François-Auguste-René Rodin.
Video sneak peak: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypI5fW-ETSc
Giordano Dance Chicago headlines this brand-new festival featuring other Chicago dance companies with LIVE musical accompaniment. GDC will perform their smash-hit “JOLT” which was named one of Wendy Perron’s Best of 2012 in Dance Magazine!
Amazing creative journey through Cuba will be on display tonight at the Auditorium Theatre with River North Dance Chicago and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. The inspiring journey is detailed here in the Chicago Tribune.
10. Merce Cunningham Dance Company - The Legacy Tour
The man was a dance icon; a legend of the modern movement. The final company was graced with a skill unlike any other in existence. As part of the final leg of a two year legacy tour, it was thrilling to see this stellar company in an evening of extremely well-produced revivals from the expansive Cunningham repertoire. It was a rare viewing of a closing chapter in modern dance.
9. Beth Ditto - I Wrote the Book
Breaking out solo this year with a hot new single that quickly turned into a club anthem, the powerhouse Gossip vocalist holds her own in my favorite song of the year. Infectious, timeless, and loads of fun.
8. Auditorium Theater - Dance for Life 20th Anniversary (Chicago)
My first dance experience in Chicago couldn’t have been more exciting. The crowd was joyous, loving, rapturous, and the amazing local companies on the stage were knockouts: Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, River North Chicago Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, the Joffrey Ballet, and Ron de Jesus Dance…. It is interesting to note how many incorporate their hometown pride in the naming of their companies. It all started with Giordano, nearly 50 years ago; a testament to the unity of this wonderful community.
Making the list again this year is the hottest company in NYC! This season, Keigwin presented his first full-length work, Exit. Enticing fans with a hot video promo leading up to the event (amazing dance marketing!), the gritty performance was a deep exploration of the complexities and superficial qualities of urban nightlife and sexual flare.
6. Trey McIntyre Project w/ the Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Ma Masion
McIntyre’s choreography is rooted in classicism but with a range that breathes new life into American choreography. With equal attention to jazz sensibility and ballet technicality, his style is entirely unique, powerful, and refreshing. His latest dance theatre piece Ma Masion was a charming and thoroughly entertaining homage to the funeral parades of the French Quarter in New Orleans.
5. Aspen Santa Fe Ballet - Uneven by Cayetano Soto
The NYC debut of Spanish choreographer, Cayetano Soto, was a “wow” moment of the season. Aspen Santa Fe Ballet proves to be one of the greatest companies of a new generation with a skillful eye for pairing superbly talented emerging choreographers with thier gorgeous company of dancers. A stunning piece of contemporary ballet! More Soto, please!
Without a doubt, my favorite album of the year was Torches by Foster the People. With their breakout summer hit Pumped up Kicks, I’ve been dancing ever since. A diverse sound, playful style, and strong social messages, every song on the album is my favorite! But my FAVORITE favorite is Call It What You Want. There is more to be heard from this hot new group!
3. Roundabout Theatre Company - ANYTHING GOES on Broadway
Finally, the Roundabout Theatre Company is back! After two lackluster seasons, the company produced the most glorious musical revival in years! Susan Stroman, a master of the vintage dance musicals, brilliantly directs this energetic cast with equal detail for great dancing and great acting. Plus, incorporating Sutton Foster as a fresh-faced, sexier version Reno Sweeney was casting genius; which of course lead to yet another Tony win for Foster. In one word, this revival is PERFECTION!
2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
The blockbuster Alexander McQueen exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum was extraordinary beyond reason! Later becoming one of the top ten sell-out exhbits in the museum’s history, the show was an outer-worldly experience that left me breathless. A spectaular labyrinth of galleries showcasing each of McQueen’s uniqe and visionary styles, the show was much more than fashion. It was a penetrating journey through the brilliant and tortured psyche of one of the greatest artists of the century.
1. Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago
My new source for creative energy and inspiration, I am thrilled to have joined the staff of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, a legendary dance company on the eve of it’s 50th Anniversary Season. The company’s performance at Dance for Life and at the Harris Theatre for Music & Dance this fall were tintilating, entertaining, and raptrously beautiful. In some instances the audience would begin to cheer before a piece was about to start; a rarity I’ve only experienced before with Alvin Aliey American Dance Theatre. This company resonates with its audience in a way that is entirely unique and completely genuine through its talented dancers, its diverse repertoire, and commitment to passion, energy, and great dancing.
For a blast from the past, click here to check out the Top Ten of 2010!
“There is no more defiant a land that I can think of than AXIS. They showed me what dance could be.” - Bill T. Jones
Mayor Rham Emanuel declares MERCE CUNNINGHAM DAY in the City of Chicago on 11/18/11 as the Company returns to the Windy City for its final engagement.
Giordano dancer, Martin Ortiz Tapia, featured in the November issue of DANCE Magazine.
Photo by KJ Heath
BeingOne - Davis Robertson (2005)
Alloy - Autumn Eckman (World Premiere)
Like 100 Men - Jon Lehrer (2002)
Sabroso - Del Dominquez & Laura Flores (2011)
Yes, And… - Autumn Eckman (2010)
Sing, Sing, Sing - Gus Giordano (1983)
Alegria - Kiesha Lalama (World Premiere)
In the chilly breeze under the stars, as the sun was setting over the intrepid skyline of Chicago, A RAISIN IN THE SUN flickered on a screen nestled among the trees of Grant Park and I was once again reminded of the power of community screenings of classic cinema, especially in the park. United with my fellow Chicagoan neighbors in the unseasonably cool weather, we shared our affection for Lorraine Hansberry’s timeless tale of unconditional love and forgiveness that will be keenly relevant for generations to come. “Never give up on your dreams. Never give up on each other.”
[My blanket view, watching the sun set over Willis Tower.]
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in Petite Mort by Jiri Kylian (1991)
The Joffrey Ballet’s Victoria Jaiani & Temur Suluashvili in Giselle Adagio from Act II using traditional choreography by Jean Coralli & Jules Perrot (1841)
Martha Graham Dance Company in Embattled Garden by Martha Graham (1958)
Lar Lubovitch Dance Company in The Legend of Ten by Lar Lubovitch (2010)
Also, River North Dance Chicago in Nine Person Precision Ball Passing by Charles Moulton (1980) [No Picture Available]
THE PROGRAM:
Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago in Sabroso by Del Dominguez (2011)
The Joffrey Ballet’s Rory Hohenstein in solo from Elemental Brubeck by Lar Lubovitch (2005)
Ron De Jesus Dance in excerpts from B-Suite by Ron De Jesus
Various dancers in the Dance for Life Act I Finale entitled Queenz by Harrison McEldowney w/ Flying by Foy (2011)
River North Dance Chicago in Evolution of a Dream by Sherry Zunker (2009)
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in Following the Subtle Current Upstream by Alonzo King (2011)
Various Dancers in the Dance for Life Finale entitled Stand By Me by Randy Duncan (2011, World Premiere)
[Pictured: HSDC dancers Kellie Epperheimer and Jesse Bechard in Following Subtle Current Upstream, c. Todd Rosenberg]
Vogue continues to live on! Amazing, in depth article in the Reader about the larger than life Black Ball scene of Chicago. Check out the awesome slide show of the fierce dancers striking a gorgeous pose! Snap! Photographs by Todd Diederich.
“In ballroom you’re accepted as who you are - or who you want to be.”
The Culture Beast is moving to Chicago! I’ll get back to more regular postings as I get settled from relocating to the Windy City from NYC/Baltimore. Looking forward to reporting on all the amazing art and cultural happenings of this fantastic city very soon! Until then I am having fun meeting various folks from Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs! I’ll also be volunteering for the Dance for Life Chicago event at the glorious Auditorium Theatre. Stay tuned and wish me luck!
Spent a month back home in Missouri and got back to my country roots!
Few words can express the feeling of grief when loosing someone who has shaped the course of your life in such a profound and direct way. Monica Shay was the founder and director of the Arts & Cultural Management program at Pratt Institute and she was my mentor. She believed in me and encouraged me in ways that few people have and I am eternally grateful for her support and guidance throughout the years. Her death was a senseless tragedy but her memory will be forever positive and beautiful. Her warm spirit, loving personality, generous nature and hearty laughter will be greatly missed.
Thank you, Monica.
(Picture: Class of 2006 Pratt Institute ACMP Graduation Party - Brooklyn, NY)
“Ballet has been like being married for 30 years, and then for some reason life takes you on different paths, but you still have the memories of the woman you love; that’s me and ballet.” - Carlos Acosta reflects on retirement.
The amazing Shen Wei Dance Arts will be the first dance company to create a site-specific piece at the Metropolitan Museum. IMHO there is no better dance artist, since perhaps Cunningham or Morris, that so brilliantly blends visual artistic elements with dance. This should be amazing! The piece will be staged June 6 and June 13.
[Pictured: Shen Wei in an untitled self portrait]
Check out this awesome video interview with author Armistead Maupin and singer/songwriter Jake Shears about the world premiere stage adaptation of the Tales of the City series now playing in (where else) San Francisco! Video is loaded with scenes from the show; so exciting to see these wonderful characters come to new life!
[Photo by Kevin Berne: Patrick Lane, Betsy Wolfe, Wesley Taylor and Josh Breckenridge]
PROGRAM B
Sulkary: Edward Rivera
Horizonte: Pedro Ruiz
Demo-N/Crazy: Rafael Bonachela
