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 on two casts, each including half the Dance Ensemble, and a chamber ensemble of the full Jazz Band.
American Catracho and Root ( updated excerpts ): The company is reimagining sections of these audience favorites informed by the current times. Cerqua Rivera Artistic Director Wilfredo Riverea created American Catracho in 2016-19; and Monique Haley and Joe Cerqua created Root in 2018-19.
Identity City: Co-founders Rivera and Joe Cerqua lead a new project examining evolving concepts and acceptance ( or not ) of gender identity ( year one of a four-year process ). This year's work focuses on feelings of isolation and metamorphosis.
Mood Swing: Rivera will lead four choreographers ( Shannon Alvis, Katlin Bourgeois, Monique Haley and Raheim White ) and composer Cerqua in developing duets between musicians and dancers that respond to the current pandemic crisis and social justice movement.
The schedule is as follows:
Friday, July 24, at 7 p.m.: Inside/Out with Identity City will be a virtual event with Studio5 Performing Arts Center;
Thursday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m.: Inside/Out with American Catracho and Root, livestreamed from Intrigue Dance & Performing Arts Center; and
Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m., at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.: Old Town audiences get a first look at 2020 New Work, including the new piece Mood Swing, in this residency rescheduled from April.
The fall concert series will include:
Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St.: Benefit performance of America/Americas to honor Sandra McNaughton; and
Nov. 5-6 at 7 p.m., and Nov. 7 at 2 and 7 p.m.: A concert to be streamed online.
For the safety of its community, Cerqua Rivera is suspending company classes for the remainder of 2020.
See CerquaRivera.org .