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Hubbard Street Dance presents surrealist film online Dec. 3, 5 and 6
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) continues its 2020/21 43rd season with a virtual premiere presentation of new work from former Hubbard Street dancer and acclaimed choreographer Jonathan Fredrickson ...
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Theater community to offer online plays, musicals, dance, comedy for holidays
--From a press release
Chicago, IL (November 10, 2020)— The Chicago theater community will produce a wide variety of online festive plays, musicals, dance and comedy offerings this Holiday season. Theatre venues in Chicago and across the world remain closed ...
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Joffrey Ballet to offer virtual Nutcracker
--From a press release
CHICAGO — With the cancellation of The Joffrey Ballet's annual engagement of Christopher Wheeldon's critically acclaimed version of The Nutcracker in 2020, the Joffrey is pleased to announce a myriad ...
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Hubbard Street piece to examine Chicago's racial disparities
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's (HSDC) 43rd season (2020-21) will begin Thursday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. with a virtual premiere presentation of new work from former Hubbard Street dancer and acclaimed choreographer Rena Butler. The piece ...
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Joffrey Ballet halts season, launches digital series, '25 FOR 25' initiative
--From a press release
The Joffrey Ballet announced the cancellation of all remaining performances for the 2020-21 season, including the world premiere of Cathy Marston's Of Mice and Men and the Joffrey premiere of George Balanchine's ...
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Cerqua Rivera revises 2020 schedule
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre has unveiled a restructured performance schedule for 2020. A livestreamed benefit performance honoring longtime friend of the company Sandra McNaughton will take place Sunday, Oct. 25, at 7:30 p.m. The show will ...
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NATIONAL Lambda Litfest, #BiWeek, whistleblower, Equality Awards, Blade
The 4th annual Lambda Litfest (Oct. 5-9) has been transformed into a specially curated, virtual event celebrating Black LGBTQIA+ excellence and abundance, a press release noted. The opening night will set the stage by bringing panelists ...
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PASSAGES Computer programmer/Chi-Town Squares member Bill Klein passes away
Longtime Chi-Town Squares member and COBOL computer programmer William "Bill" Michael Klein died Sept. 5 due to health complications after he fell down in his home a few days prior. He was 70. Klein was born ...
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WORLD Vancouver protest, dating apps, Budapest Pride, N. Ireland marriages
In Canada, protesters held a beach dance party in Vancouver's West End night in a bid to disrupt an event by a Toronto preacher who has been accused of anti-LGBTQ hate speech, CBC.ca reported. David Lynn, ...
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SHOWBIZ #ReadOutProud, Mj Rodriguez, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Lopez
Non-profit organization Pride and Less Prejudice (PLP) has launched a #ReadOutProud fundraising campaign video with LGBTQ celebrities including Adam Rippon, Nicole Maines, Darryl Stephens, Patrik-Ian Polk, Theo Germaine, Nikki Blonsky ...
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Dance for Life exceeds fundraising goal
Chicago Dancers United (CDU) announced that "Dance for Life 2020: United as One," which took place Aug. 10—15, exceeded its financial goal, raising more than $170,000 in contributions from nearly 700 donors. Dance for Life 2020: ...
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Deeply Rooted launches 25th-anniversary season
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater which diversifies the aesthetics of contemporary dance by uniting modern, classical, U.S. and African-American traditions in dance and storytelling announced initial plans for Deeply 25: Beyond Dance ...
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Dining Out for Life Chicago on Sept. 24
Dining Out for Life Chicago will take place Thursday, Sept. 24. People can dine in, order takeout or delivery from your favorite restaurants to support TPAN's mission to serve people affected by HIV. This year's co-chairs ...
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Open House Chicago taking place Oct. 16-25
The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) announced the return of Open House Chicago (OHC) for a 10th consecutive year. It will take place Oct. 16-25, and the festival has been reconfigured for both in-person and remote attendance. ...
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Cerqua Rivera Dance unveils new schedule
After some restructuring, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre has announced its plans to develop work in this time, about this time. Cerqua Rivera's 2020 new work creatively responds to and utilizes social distancing. Work will be created ...
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Five Worth Finding: Bill T. Jones book, Music Box thriller and more
—Story/Time: The Life of an Idea: This book came out in 2014, but this is an excellent time to appreciate this tome. In it, out gay African American dancer, choreographer and director Bill T. Jones reflects ...
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NUNN ON ONE MOVIES Queer filmmaker has 'Mucho Mucho Amor' for famed astrologer
For generations, Puerto Rican astrologer Walter Mercado has brought hope and the future for many families over the years. He grew up a dancer, an actor in theater and starred in many telenovelas before his unique ...
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Nondiscrimination guidelines affirmed after Trump rollback
Illinois state officials issued guidance June 26 affirming the state's existing nondiscrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The guidance came two weeks after U.S. Department ...
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Cerqua Rivera Dance unveils new schedule
After some restructuring, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre has announced its plans to develop work in this time, about this time. Cerqua Rivera's 2020 new work creatively responds to and utilizes social distancing. Work will be created ...
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PASSAGES Nightlife figure Cody Laughlin dies at 26
Lucky Horseshoe Lounge dancer Cody Laughlin died June 15 at his home. The cause of death is currently unknown. He was 26. Laughlin was born Dec. 30, 1993, in Chicago and graduated early from Northside College ...
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COVID-19 Joffrey cancels shows through remainder of 2020
The Joffrey Ballet announced the cancellation of all performances for the remainder of 2020, a response to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. Cancelled productions include Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Manon ...
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Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago among new or reimagined events
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced a slate of new and reimagined summer events including at-home dance parties, drive-in movies, virtual concerts and community meals for frontline ...
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Dance for Life going digital Aug. 10-15
Chicago Dancers United (CDU)—which works to improve the lives of dance professionals through holistic wellness programs and provide financial support to those diagnosed with critical health needs—announced that Dance for ...
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Chita: A Legendary Celebration to stream May 29
Chita: A Legendary Celebration , Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' one-night-only evening of song and dance celebrating the legendary Chita Rivera , returns this Friday, May 29, 2020, in an exclusive stream benefiting Broadway Cares and its ...
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COVID-19 Pritzker announces 'Restore Illinois,' a five-phase plan
Relying on data, science and guidance from public-health experts and after consulting with stakeholders across the state, Gov. JB Pritzker announced Restore Illinois—a five-phase plan focused on saving lives, reimplementing ...
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Actors Gym to stream original production Isolated
Actors Gym to stream original production 'Isolated' Actors Gym has announced Isolated, its annual spring youth circus that, this year, has been devised through an innovative online rehearsal process. It features 28 of its top youth ...
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Chicago dancer discusses battle with COVID-19
When Joseph Hutto—a Chicago dancer who performs locally under the stage name Ben D. Mann—got sick in late March, he assumed that he had somehow contracted food poisoning. "I couldn't figure out what this was, because ...
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Bolshoi cancels June performances
The Bolshoi Ballet's performances of Swan Lake at the Auditorium Theatre, originally scheduled for June 10-14, have been postponed as a result of COVID-19. The Auditorium Theatre is working closely with the company to schedule new ...
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36th annual Printers Row Lit Fest put off to
Labor Day weekend
CHICAGO (April 10, 2020) Out of an abundance of caution, and prioritizing the safety and well being of its guests, authors and vendors, the Near South Planning Board has postponed this year's Printers Row Lit Fest ...
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Bolshoi Ballet June performance at Auditorium Theatre postponed
The Bolshoi Ballet's performances of Swan Lake at the Auditorium Theatre, originally scheduled for June 10-14, have been postponed as a result of COVID-19. The Auditorium Theatre is working closely with the company to schedule new ...
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COVID-19 Quigley, Larsen urge FDA to allow healthy gay, bi men to donate blood
U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley (D-Illinois) and Rick Larsen (D-Washington) urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to overturn the FDA's guidance on blood donation by men who have sex with men. In a letter to FDA ...
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Chicago and state issue new coronavirus guidelines
Following CDC guidance and recommendations by local public health experts, the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago issued new guidance to residents to prevent further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), as of March 15. Specifically, ...
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Chicago theatres suspend productions due to Coronavirus, guidance of Governor and Mayor
The following statement comes from Deb Clapp, Executive Director, League of Chicago Theatres: Mayor Lightfoot and Governor Pritzker held a press conference today asking and strongly recommending that public gatherings of more than 250 people be ...
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State of Illinois, City of Chicago issue guidance to minimize COVID-19 spread
CHICAGO — Following CDC guidance and recommendations by local public health experts, the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago are issuing new guidance to residents to prevent further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). These new ...
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Black Ensemble Theater cancels performances
A statement from Black Ensemble Theater: Based upon the recent guidance from the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago, Black Ensemble Theatre will suspend performances of THE HEALING (formerly titled Legends: A Civil Rights ...
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Hyde Park's 'Amira' March 28-29
Hyde Park School of Dance (HPSD) celebrates its home base and its hometown of Chicago with the return of its original work Amira: A Chicago Cinderella Story. Performances are March 28-29 at Mandel Hall on the ...
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Chicago Dance Month March 30 through May 18
On March 30-May 18, See Chicago Dance (SCD), the dance industry's nonprofit service organization, will present the eighth annual Chicago Dance Month—which showcases the city's numerous and diverse opportunities to ...
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Cerqua Rivera Dance holding sneak preview April 16
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre is building on the momentum from its 20th anniversary (in 2019) by launching three brand new art works and engaging with audiences across Chicago. The company will kick off its season at ...
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LAGBAC welcomes new board members
A number of prominent area judges, among them Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans, and legal professionals were in attendance when Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago (LAGBAC) swore its new board at a reception ...
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NUNN ON ONE DANCE James B. Whiteside on drag, ballet and being with Milk
American Ballet Theatre is returning to the Auditorium Theatre to celebrate an 80th anniversary. One of the pieces brought to life is Twyla Tharp's Deuce Coupe that was first performed by ABT in 2019 and now ...
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Rebuild Foundation to collaborate with Po'Chop
CHICAGO — Rebuild Foundation, the arts, education and cultural development organization committed to transforming urban communities, announced today that Jenn Freeman, acclaimed Chicago-based performance artist otherwise known as Po'Chop, will ...
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Joffrey Ballet announces 2020-2021 season
February 18, 2020 (Chicago)— Ashley Wheater MBE, The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet, proudly announces the Company's 2020-2021 inaugural season at Lyric Opera House, featuring a ...
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About Face Theatre to host Wonka Ball: Silver and Gold May 30 UPDATE
UPDATE Postponed. See http://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Wonka-Ball-postponed-/68302.html . CHICAGO (February 10, 2020) — Dress up to get down at Wonka Ball, About Face Theatre's annual benefit gala and Chicago's most glamorous party. ...
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Harris Theater Presents 2020-21 Season
Chicago, Ill. — The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance announces its Harris Theater Presents season for 2020-21, its most ambitious and diverse lineup to date. With 36 performances — including ...
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NUNN ON ONE MUSICALS Dan'yelle Williamson works hard for the money in 'Summer'
Hailing from Boston, Donna Summer went from the church choir to disco dance floor over the years. She broke through music boundaries with hits like "Love to Love You Baby," "Dim All the Lights" and "I ...
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Joffrey's 'Racing' Feb. 12-23
For its winter engagement, The Joffrey Ballet will present The Times Are Racing, a mixed repertory program featuring choreography from four artists. There will be the Chicago premiere of Justin Peck's 2017 ballet for which the ...
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'Goshen' at Water Tower Place on May 22-31
Broadway In Chicago, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater and Quiet Water Entertainment announced that Goshen—featuring dancers and singers performing to music by Grammy winner Donald Lawrence—will play Broadway In Chicago's Broadway ...
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Chicago LGBTQ icon/dance group co-founder Troy Winston dies
By Carrie Maxwell Imported Taste dance group co-founder and LGBTQ icon Troy Winston died Dec. 26, 2019 due to congestive heart failure. He was 56. Winston was born June 15, 1963, on the South Side of ...
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The Queer Landscape, Chicago Danztheatre presents performance on LGBTQ+ identity
CHICAGO (January 6th, 2020) - Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble is pleased to announce the third installment of its 2019-20 Art & Activism Performance Series, THE QUEER LANDSCAPE, an evening of live performance, art, and poetry centered around ...
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Alvin Ailey company in Chicago in March
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., on March 4-8, featuring Midwest premieres and Ailey classics. Among other items, the company will perform the Midwest ...
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Joffrey Presents 'The Times Are Racing,' A Mixed Rep Program
January 9, 2020 (Chicago) — For its winter engagement, The Joffrey Ballet presents The Times Are Racing, a mixed repertory program featuring choreography from four of the most influential artists working today ...
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Bowie Ball celebrates with drag and dance Jan. 10
Heaven Malone and A Queer Pride will present "Bowie Ball: David Bowie's Birthday" Friday, Jan. 10, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., at Le Nocturne, 4810 N. Broadway. Lucy Stoole will be mistress of ceremonies. Mick Douch, Ari Gato, ...
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Queen Elizabeth honors Joffrey director
Ashley Wheater, The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet and a British native, has been appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ...
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Alla Kovgan dances with Cunningham
Filmmaker Alla Kovgan has created a new 3D documentary depicting the works of modern dance pioneer Merce Cunningham. Moscow born Kovgan has built a career in Europe and the US with dance films over the years. ...
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SHOWBIZ Billy Porter, Olivia Wilde, Tessa Thompson, 'Ragtime,' Dan Levy
Stars of stage and screen have come together to celebrate Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning star for Billy Porter's lip-sync video for his chart-topping dance single, "Love Yourself," a press release noted. The video features Porter's ...
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Rhinoceros Festival Jan. 11-Feb. 23
The Rhinoceros Theater Festival will mark its 31st year with performances Jan. 11-Feb. 23 at Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave. The newest Rhino Fest will feature 48 shows, including new plays, dance, devised works, variety, ...
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THEATER REVIEW Dance Nation
Playwright: Clare Barron At: Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tickets: 312-335-1650 or Steppenwolf.org; $20-$94. Runs through Feb. 2 When you are a child, every conversation, school day and rehearsal feels like life or death. ...
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Steppenwolf Theatre Company to present Dance Nation
CHICAGO (December 16, 2019) — Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Chicago premiere production Pulitzer Prize FinalistDance Nation by Clare Barron, directed and choreographed by Lee Sunday Evans. Steppenwolf's production features ensemble ...
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Joffrey's Chicago-set 'Nutcracker' through Dec. 29
The Joffrey Ballet's reimagined classic, The Nutcracker, by Tony-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, returns to open the holiday season at the historic Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., in performances through ...
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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater includes Midwest premieres, Ailey classics
(CHICAGO, IL) — The Auditorium Theatre announces programming for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's March 4-8, 2020 performances in Chicago, featuring Midwest premieres and Ailey classics. The company gives the ...
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Deeply Rooted hires managing director
Deeply Rooted Productions (DRP), the umbrella organization of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater (DRDT), has appointed Jacquelyn Smiley Robinson as managing director. She joins a leadership team that includes Co-Founder/Creative Director ...
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Chicago drag production in Louisville Dec. 21
For the past decade, Snow White and the Seven Drag Queens has played to sold out crowds in Boystown, at the SOHO House Chicago, in historic Provincetown and, most recently, at Louisville's own Play Dance Bar. ...
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DINING 'Frosty's Christmas Bar,' Tzuco brunch, Thanksgiving options
—The pop-up space Frosty's Christmas Bar is running at 809 W. Evergreen Ave. through Jan. 5, 2020. It is four levels of holiday cheer, with singing Santa shows, non-stop holiday music, three bars and two dance ...
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Joffrey performing Chicago-set 'Nutcracker'
The Joffrey Ballet's reimagined classic, The Nutcracker, by Tony-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, returns to open the holiday season at the historic Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr., in 29 performances Nov. 30-Dec. 29. This ...
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Lightfoot, officials announce 'Cannabis Facts' campaign
With the legalization of cannabis in the state of Illinois on Jan. 1, 2020, Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) are issuing guidance and precautionary information for those who ...
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YEPP holds second annual 'Rise Up' event
Youth Empowerment Performance Project (YEPP) held its second annual Rise Up: A Celebration of Resilience Nov. 13 at Chicago Theater Works. YEPP Board Member and Co-Chair La Tony welcomed the more than 200 people in attendance ...
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THEATER SPOTLIGHT Sombras Tango Cabaret
It's a short run for Sombras Tango Cabaret, only through this weekend, but it promises to be exotic and colorful with the sensuality of The Tango, and a backstage story, too, all sung and danced to ...
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CONCERTS Roselit Bone and Reverse Cowboy; New Pornographers; Charli XCX
Alhough the chilly winds and the abundance of pumpkin-flavored coffee-creamer ads on television have signaled the end of summer, the year for queer music is nowhere near winding down. This summer turned out to be the ...
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THEATER SPOTLIGHT Arts in the Dark
Do you love a parade? And Halloween? Kick off the spooky season with Arts in the Dark, a one-night-only magical parade of bands, dancers, costumes, floats, puppets and lanterns that celebrates Halloween as the "artist's holiday." ...
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Chicago Dancemakers Forum Launches International Initiative, Two Fall Events
CHICAGO, IL, 10/15/2019 Images Available Here. - Chicago Dancemakers Forum's new CrossHatch Initiative promotes artistic growth for dancemaking artists and builds connections for, and awareness of, Chicago dance internationally. With ...
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Auditorium commissions Michelle Dorrance work for Trinity Irish Dance Company
(CHICAGO, IL — The Auditorium Theatre announces the commission of American Traffic, a new work for Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC) created by acclaimed tap dancer, choreographer, and MacArthur "Genius ...
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'Body Political' revue to take place Oct. 12
The Body Political—described as "a semi-annual burlesque and variety show that confronts social myths about the body through personal stories of resistance and reclamation"—will take place Saturday, Oct. 12, at 8 p.m. at the Greenhouse Theater, ...
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Ooh La La Burlesque & Variety Show to benefit Center on Addison
Chicago, IL — We are thrilled to announce our upcoming fundraising event for Center on Addison, the social and residential center for LGBTQ seniors at Center on Halsted. The "Ooh La La Burlesque & Variety Show: ...
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LEZFEST, with queer female and non-binary performance artists, expands
LEZFEST, a presentation and celebration of queer female and non-binary performance artists, expands to two nights - Tuesday October 22 and Wednesday October 23 Lineup of 13 artists to include song, dance, stand-up, storytelling, and spoken ...
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Chicago performers 'Dance for Life' in annual showcase
Patrons of the arts gathered Aug. 17 in the South Loop for the 28th Dance for Life benefit performance. Dancers from six different organizations, including regulars Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the Joffrey ...
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