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DANCE Cerqua Rivera's 'Mood Swing' on May 28
On Saturday, May 28, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre will host "Inside/Out with Mood Swing" at 7:30 p.m. at Dovetail Studios, 2853 W. Montrose Ave. Mood Swing is described as Cerqua Rivera's "suite of passionate responses to ...
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Dance for Life returns to Auditorium
-- From a press release
Chicago Dancers United (CDU), which supports the health and wellness of Chicago's professional dance community, announces the program for its 31st annual fundraiser, Dance for Life 2022, which takes place Saturday, August 13 at 6 p.m. ...
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Giordano Dance Chicago to showcase modern works June 11
The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., completes its Made in Chicago 2021-22 Dance Series with the return of Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC) performing its annual summer engagement on Saturday, June 11, at 7:30 ...
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MUSIC Madonna curating, releasing dance-music compilation 'Finally Enough Love'
Madonna made history once again when she topped the Dance Club Songs chart for the 50th time, making her the first and only recording artist to have 50 number-one hits on any Billboard chart. To celebrate ...
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DANCE A&A Ballet to offer Family Dance Series starting May 14
A&A Ballet (A&A), under the artistic direction of Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik, announced a new Family Dance Series at the Athenaeum Theater, 2936 N. Southport Ave., premiering Saturday, May 14, at 3 p.m. Fresh from ...
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Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's 'RE/UNION' to take place May 12-15
After reconnecting with audiences this spring at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) has announced the program for the company's return to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph ...
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Dance Divas return to Baton July 31 and Aug. 1
-- From a press release
Showcasing Chicago dancers in a night of music, dance, and laughter, Chicago Dancers United presents Dance Divas 2022, a party and performance Sunday, July 31 at 6 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 1, at 7 and 9 p.m. at the Baton Show Lounge ...
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Exxon Mobil's plan to ban Pride flag triggers employee pushback
Exxon Mobil Corp. plans to prohibit the LGBTQ+ Pride flag from being flown outside its offices during Pride month in June, prompting backlash from Houston-based employees, Time Magazine reported. The company updated company guidance on what ...
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DANCE 'Wired,' focusing on barbed wire, to premiere at MCA on May 5-8
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA) will showcase the world premiere of Wired on May 5-8. Internationally recognized disability arts ensemble Kinetic Light will return to the stage to premiere its latest work. The work ...
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MUSIC Gay composer's historic 'Emancipation' at Harris Theater on April 29
The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance will present Emancipation, by gay composer Adrian Dunn, with The Adrian Dunn Singers and Rize Orchestra on the Mainstage on Friday, April 29, at ...
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SHOWBIZ JoJo Siwa, Indigo Girls, singer Bitch, 'Shahs of Sunset'
The Fox show So You Think You Can Dance unveiled its new judging lineup, and LGBTQ Dancing with the Stars runner-up JoJo Siwa will be part of it, per Out Magazine. Siwa will be joined at the judge's table by Glee ...
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Golden-Con's 'Mother of a Solid Gold Dancer Disco' on April 23
The Golden Gays of NYC and London's DJ Paul Joseph will be part of the first-ever "Golden-Con's Mother of a Solid Gold Dancer Disco" at Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, 301 E. North Water St., the official ...
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MUSIC Cor.Ece accomplishes 'Impossible,' is set to release new EP
Video below
Cor.Ece (nee Mark Corece) is a queer Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter (and onetime Chicagoan) who has been constantly working on new soulful material. His EP, Dance to Keep from Crying (on ...
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'Dancing with Chicago Celebrities' to feature first same-sex couple
The 16th Annual Arthur Murray Presents Dancing with Chicago Celebrities will take place Friday, March 25, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel, 151 E. Wacker Dr. Doors open at 6 p.m. The event (which is raising funds to help ...
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BOOKS Janelle Monae in Chicago April 22 to discuss 'The Memory Librarian'
Singer-songwriter, actor, fashion icon and author Janelle Monae will visit Chicago's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St., as part of the tour for her new book, The Memory Librarian and Other Stories ...
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Joffrey Ballet announces 2022-23 season at Lyric Opera House
-- From a press release
March 14, 2022 (Chicago) Ashley Wheater MBE, The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet, today announces the Joffrey's 2022 2023 Season at Lyric Opera House, featuring a world premiere from a rising choreographic ...
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Congressman Davis praises HHS' LGBTQ+ foster-care guidance
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-Massachusetts) and Worker and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Danny K. Davis (D-Illinois) recently released a statement applauding new Department of Health and ...
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COVID CDC relaxes mask guidance for most Americans
COVID CDC relaxes mask guidance for most Americans On Feb. 25, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new set of guidelines stating that most people in the United States can relax when ...
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Joffery Academy's 'Winning Works' returns, features four world premieres
-- From a press release
CHICAGO – Feb. 23, 2022 – The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, presents four world premieres in the culmination of Joffrey’s national call for ALAANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab and Native American) a ...
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Ballet Hispanico to present Chicago premiere of Evita Peron work on March 26-27
The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., will present the return of Ballet Hispanico with the Chicago premiere of "Dona Peron" on March 26-27 only. Choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa to music by Peter ...
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Dancer Vernard Gilmore 'Reflects' on Alvin Ailey, dance, his own feelings
Twenty-five years is a long time to be involved in any discipline. Now imagine having to be in prime physical shape all that time on the level of an elite athlete. Vernard Gilmore, who grew up in ...
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South Chicago Dance Theatre marking five years with May 20 event
South Chicago Dance Theatre (SCDT)a multicultural organization that fuses classical and contemporary dance styles while preserving historic dance workhas announced "An Evening with the South Chicago Dance Theatre: Celebrating Five ...
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Gay skater wins gold; DeRozan still hot as Bulls prevail; Blackhawks win
Out gay skater Guillaume Cizeron and dance partner Gabriella Papadakis, representing France, won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in pairs ice dancing on Feb. 14. The couple also earned themselves a record-breaking score of ...
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Dance foundation backing Chicago choreographer and Deeply Rooted
The Morrison-Shearer Foundation announced the recipients of two fully funded Sybil Shearer Fellowship residencies in the new Sybil Shearer Studio at Ragdale, in Lake Forest, Illinois. The awardees are Chicago-based ...
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Chicago Philharmonic Society to present 'Fanfare Chicago' and feature lesbian composer on March 27
The Chicago Philharmonic Society will present its third of four concerts of its 32nd season, "Fanfare Chicago," on March 27 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St. Led by Artistic Director ...
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THEATER "The world keeps spinnin' 'round and 'round" for Andrew Levitt in Hairspray
"Welcome to the '60s," where psychedelic fashions ruled and mini-skirts were everywhere. Soul music gained a strong voice while segregation separated the dance floors. John Waters' original 1988 film Hairspray displayed drag diva Divine as mother ...
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DANCE Alvin Ailey company at Auditorium Theatre on March 2-6
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to stages on a coast-to-coast national tour starting Jan. 28 in Philadelphia; kicking off Black History Month at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 1; and traveling to ...
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Local burlesque dancer tells stories through movement
When words can't describe how Jenn Freeman feels and thinks, she turns to movement. In the studio, she dances to a mixtape of music, spoken word and historical speeches. As her body moves, Freeman asks herself, ...
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Hubbard Street Dance Chicago announces 2021/22 44th season, 'RE/CONNECT'
-- From a press release
CHICAGO Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) has announced its 2021/22 44th season Spring Series: RE/CONNECT. The dance company will premiere two programs that will take place at the Museum of Contemporary Art (220 E. Chicago ...
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Mayor Lightfoot, DCASE, dance community designate 2022 the "Year of Chicago Dance"
-- From a press release
CHICAGO In deep partnership with the local dance community, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) Commissioner Erin Harkey have designated 2022 as the "Year ...
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Hubbard Street Dance finds new home at Water Tower Place
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) has moved its studio to a 13,000-square-foot space on the fourth floor of Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave. The new facility will include a dance studio, artist lounge, office ...
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THEATER Steppenwolf delays '1919' premiere due to COVID
Due to the COVID-19 surge driven by the Omicron variant, and out of an abundance of caution for public health, Steppenwolf Theatre Company has postponed its Steppenwolf for Young Adults world-premiere adaptation of Eve L. Ewing's ...
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IDHR issues guidance regarding TGNC students
The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) has issued its Guidance Relating to Protection of Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Nonconforming Students. The document is a non-regulatory guidance on non-discrimination protections ...
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THEATER Goodman's 'A Christmas Carol' to resume Dec. 26
Executive Director Roche Schulfer announced that performances of Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol will resume on Sunday, Dec. 26, in accordance with guidance from the Chicago Department of Public Health. The company has cleared the testing ...
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DANCE Joffrey's remaining 'Nutcracker' performances canceled [UPDATE]
After canceling three performances of The Nutcracker due to a breakthrough case of COVID-19 within the company, The Joffrey Ballet resumed performances Dec. 19, and they will run through Sunday, Dec. 26. Artists will wear protective ...
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Photography giant Annie Leibovitz talks 'Wonderland' at Chicago Humanities Festival
In its classic style of spotlighting creative humans, the Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) hosted "Ellen Stone Belic Presents: In Her Infinite Wisdom Annie Leibovitz: Wonderland" on Dec. 7 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. ...
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DANCE Joffrey's Winning Works winners named
The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, announced the recipients of the twelfth annual Winning Works Choreographic Competition: Audrey Ipapo Baran, Joffrey Company artist Edson Barbosa, Taylor Carrasco and Derick McKoy Jr. ...
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M3 Dance presenting 'The Nutcracker' in Elgin on Dec. 4-5
M3 Dance and Synergy Dance Academy will present Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 2 and 7 p.m.; and on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. at Elgin's Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 ...
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Ivan Aguayo brings eclectic background to 'evolution' of dance
In the center of the A&A Ballet studio stood the Mouse King. His long, felt tail trailed behind him as he made attempts to pose both for the camera and the numerous other ballet performers in ...
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TV JoJo Siwa in finale of 'Dancing with the Stars' and the winner is…
Queer social-media and reality-show figure JoJo Siwa made history on this season of Dancing with the Stars by being part of the series' first same-sex couple (with partner Jenna Johnson) and the twosome made it all the ...
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Joffrey announces return of reimagined classic, The Nutcracker
--From a press release
CHICAGO (November 8, 2021) The Joffrey Ballet's critically acclaimed reimagined classic, The Nutcracker, by Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, will be a part of the Joffrey's first-ever season at the historic Lyric ...
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Joffrey names new head of studio company and trainee program
Abbott Academy Director of the Joffrey Academy of Dance Raymond Rodriguez announced that Christopher Marney is the new head of studio company and trainees at the academy. Marney begins his new role Nov. 3, just eight ...
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Hubbard Street Dance back on the stage with 'RE/TURN'
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) will present Fall Series: RE/TURN to herald its return to the stage at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. The program will feature new premieres as well as audience favorites ...
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MOVIES 'Bolshoi Ballet' series to start locally Nov. 7
The "2021-2022 Bolshoi Ballet in Cinema" series is set to begin Sunday, Nov. 7 with Bolshoi Ballet: Spartacus LIVE. Spartacus is considered a ballet tour de force, set to Aram Khachaturian's score. Bolshoi Ballet: Spartacus LIVE is set t ...
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Visceral Dance Chicago bringing world premieres to Athenaeum Theatre
--From a press release
CHICAGO, Oct. 5, 2021 Visceral Dance Chicago a contemporary company committed to the progression of diverse artists, programs and community collaborations announced its Fall Engagement 2021 program. The dance company returns ...
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LGBTQ History Month: Until legal ruling, Disneyland banned same-sex dancers
Deemed the "Happiest Place on Earth," Disneyland sadly didn't live up to that billing for same-sex couples during its first three decades. Opened in 1955 by the late Walt Disney, the family-oriented amusement park was built ...
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Joffrey's Nutcracker returns for the holidays
--From a press release
(Chicago) — The Joffrey Ballet's reimagined holiday classic, The Nutcracker, by Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, returns to Chicago during the Joffrey's first-ever season at the historic Lyric Opera House ...
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DANCE Hubbard Street presenting drive-in edition of 'Inside/Out' Oct. 2
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will hold its annual "Inside/Out" choreographic workshop, "Drive-In(side Out)," on Saturday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. at ChiTown Movies, 2343 S. Throop St., preceded by a welcome party and DJ starting at ...
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Chicago Dance History Project moving to Ruth Page Center
Chicago Dance History Project (CDHP)which investigates, documents and presents the individual and institutional past of Chicago danceplans to move into The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., as an artist in residence. ...
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Joffrey welcomes four dancers from South Korea, Spain and the U.S.
The Joffrey Ballet's Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director Ashley Wheater MBE, The and President and CEO Greg Cameron announced the addition of four dancers to the Joffrey roster for the 2021-22 season: Brian Bennett (Lanham, Maryland), ...
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DANCE Ensemble Espanol to open Auditorium Theatre season Oct. 16
Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater, in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, will return to the Auditorium Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. The company will mark the finale performance of its 45th-anniversary "Zafiro Flamenco ...
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Footwork dancers to be featured Sept. 10 in Art on theMART event
"Dance Down by The River"an evening of Chicago dance and musicis coming to the Riverwalk in conjunction with Art on theMART thanks to a Chicago Presents grant awarded by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and ...
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MUSIC Upcoming 'Carmen' featuring queer lead, male drag
On Sept. 16 and 18 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago audiences will have the rare opportunity to hear two world-class dramatic mezzo-sopranos debut new roles opposite one another ...
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TV 'Dancing with the Stars' to feature first same-sex partnership
ABC's Dancing With the Stars will be breaking new ground in the upcoming 30th seasonwith its first same-sex partnership. According to Deadline, on Aug. 26, host Tyra Banks and executive producer Andrew Llinares revealed that the ...
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Feds expand insurers' requirements for PrEP coverage
Insurers and service-providers have until September to comply with a new federal guidance requiring insurance companies to cover the entire cost of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) interventions. Many insurers have been ...
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MUSIC Diplo, Galantis part of Spring Awakening
The organizers of the Chicago electronic dance music (EDM) festival Spring Awakening have added the acts Diplo and Galantis to the Oct. 2-3 event. Spring Awakening will take place in Addams/Medill Park, 1301 W. 14th St. ...
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Guidance on COVID-19 booster shots
--From a Howard Brown Health press release
At this time, most people do not qualify for a third COVID-19 shot. Recently the Biden Administration unveiled a plan for wider availability of a third COVID-19 vaccine regimen and the FDA updated the emergency use ...
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Joffrey Ballet's "Home: a Celebration" opens inaugural season at Lyric Opera House
--From a press release
August 18, 2021 (Chicago) The Joffrey Ballet opens its inaugural season at the Lyric Opera House and marks its return to live performances with Home: a Celebration, a triumphant mixed repertory program that spotlights original ...
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COVID Pritzker: Masks required for pre-K-12 schools, long-term care facilities
As COVID-19 infection rates across the state continue to increase and with a number of school districts not yet adopting CDC guidance on masking, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike announced masks ...
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Aug. 12 dance film to explore gender, queerness in South Asian arts
Ashwaty Chennat, a Chicago Dancemakers 2021 Digital Dance grantee, has continued her collaboration with Abhijeet Rane to explore gender, queerness and the body in South Asian arts and traditions. An excerpt of Chennai and Rane's ...
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CDC: Some vaccinated people should wear masks indoors
To prevent further spread of the Delta variant, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidance on July 27 to recommend that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors when in areas with ...
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Winifred Haun & Dancers announces 2021-22 season, return to live performances
--From a press release
Chicago & Oak Park, IL Winifred Haun & Dancers will return to in person theater events and live programming for the upcoming 2021|22 Season. The Company will be presented at the Pritzker Pavilion, Ruth Page ...
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DANCE Deeply Rooted named to INFLUENCERS Cohort
Chicago's Deeply Rooted Dance Theater is one of five dance companies (and the only Midwestern one) named to the International Association of Blacks in Dance's (IABD's) INFLUENCERS Cohort for the 2021 COHI/MOVE program. The five ...
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Lightfoot announces 27 Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Grant finalists
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced 27 new Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) grant finalists. A Greater Grand Crossing shared kitchen, a Calumet Heights dance studio, and a Humboldt Park juice bar are among the ...
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Dance for Life to present 10 companies, world-premiere finale
Chicago Dancers United (CDU), which supports the health and wellness of Chicago's professional dance community, announced an expanded lineup and program for the 30th anniversary of its annual fundraiser, Dance for Life, which takes place in ...
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AIDS ballet movie coming to Chicago on July 16
The movie Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones and D-Man in the Waters will open Friday, July 16, in virtual cinemas in Chicago at Gene Siskel Film Center and Music Box Theatre. "Can You Bring It"co-directed by Rosalynde LeBlanc and ...
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Taste of Chicago To-Go" starts Wednesday
--From a press release
Taste of Chicago To-Go" starts Wednesday with food vendors and food trucks; Chicago City Market vendors; Chicago SummerDance instructors; House City DJs; author Marisel Vera; Taste of Chicago favorites Eli's Cheesecake, Robinson's No. 1 Ribs and ...
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Billy Masters
"like the song is literally about gay sex what y'all want me to do play the piano while baking a cake?" Lil Nas X tweets a response to criticism of kissing one of his male dancers on the BET Awards. Call me ...
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Move your body! "House City" music series starts Sunday
"House City" (kicking off July 4) is a new, 10-part series of free events popping up throughout the summer in the neighborhoods that helped create the House music genre over 35 years ago. DJ Jes, El ...
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DANCE Deeply Rooted to perform in person July 16-17
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater's Summer Dance Intensive (SDI) which takes place in a hybrid format combining in-person and virtual instruction this year will culminate with in-person performances of new works Friday and ...
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VISIT Shedd Aquarium has many attractions, one distraction
Nature lovers can rejoice. Shedd Aquarium (1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr., in accordance with State of Illinois and City of Chicago guidelines, has fully reopened. (Guests are still ...
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Billy Masters
"Ballet dancers and hairdressers and drag queens made it safe for football players to come out and not the other way around." Dan Savage puts Carl Nassib's coming out into the context of those who came before ...
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ARC Music Festival to take place Sept. 4-5 in Union Park
ARC Music Festival has announced the complete lineup for its Labor Day Weekend 2021 debut at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St. The dance event will feature acts such as Channel Tres, Derrick Carter, DJ Heather, ...
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Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's Season 43: A Virtual Homecoming June 24
--From a press release
CHICAGO CHICAGO Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's (HSDC) Season 43: A Virtual Homecoming will conclude with the world premiere of Greener Grass, a full-company work choreographed and directed by former HSDC company dancer Jie-Hung Connie S ...
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DANCE Joffrey Academy seeking submissions from minority applicants for competition
The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, has announced a national call for ALAANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab and Native American) artists to submit applications for The Joffrey Academy's Twelfth Annual Winning ...
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