Pictured Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre. Chicago Human Rhythm Project ( Lane Alexander, plus Reggio & Brownie ) .
We'd like to see the President tap dance his way out of this one: May 25 is National Tap Dance Day, designated by Act of Congress to honor the birthday of the great Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson. To celebrate the occasion, yet avoid conflict with Memorial Day Weekend, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project ( CHRP ) is presenting National Tap Dance Day concerts May 18-21. The schedule for each of the four performances is different, but all include Bojangles' birthday cake for the audience at intermission.
Some highlights: Lou Conte's Bill Robinson Tribute and Ernest Brown's The Chair Dance ( May 18 ) , CHRP founder Lane Alexander and Soul to Soles Dance Company ( May 19 ) , Jimmy Payne, Jr.'s Rhythm of Life and Perfect Timing Dance Company ( May 20 ) , and Reggio 'The Hoofer' McLaughlin and 90-year-old Ernest 'Brownie' Brown himself ( May 21 ) . Other solo artists, dance troupes and live music ensembles will perform as well. Choreographer Lou Conte, who founded Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and legendary vaudeville tapper 'Brownie' Brown will be honored with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project's 2006 JUBA! Award. At the Vittum Theatre ( 1012 N. Noble Street ) ; ( 773 ) 281-1825 or tix.com; $25. Details: chicagotap.org .
The Joel Hall Dancers & Center offer two May 13 concerts at the Athenaeum Theatre, showcasing the professional Joel Hall Dancers, the JHD II training company, and the JHD 1511 youth performing ensemble. Both concerts feature at least one world premiere work.
The JHD 1511 youth performing ensemble presents its sixth annual concert at 1 p.m., with new works by artistic director Nancy Teinowitz plus choreographers Dimitri Peskov and Nick Pupillo. At 4 p.m., JHD II will debut a new work by choreographer Paul Sanasardo, set to music of Nina Simone. It's part of a planned full-length suite of dances on which Sanasardo and company founder Joel Hall are collaborating. The Joel Hall Dancers proper will premiere another section of the suite at both the 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. concerts, this segment developed by Hall to a fusion of house music and Nina Simone songs. Tickets through Ticketmaster, or the Joel Hall Dancers & Center, ( 773 ) 293-0900; $20.
In a relatively quiet dance month, another highlight is the May 18-21 return of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre to the Auditorium Theatre. The company will offer four dances not previously seen in Chicago: Reminiscin', choreographed by company artistic director Judith Jamison to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and other female jazz legends; Ronald K. Brown's Ife/My Heart set to music from Nigeria, Cuba and North America; Acceptance to Surrender, a collaborative work by three Alvin Ailey company members; and Solo, Hans van Manen's physically demanding work for three male dancers, set to Bach's Violin Suite. Tickets, $29-$76, are available at the Auditorium box office or through Ticketmaster.
Almost everything in Millennium Park June 13-18 will look like the Joffrey Ballet, as the troupe celebrates its 50th anniversary with Come Dance With Us, a week-long program of free events. If the weather's good it should be a blast, with events for all ages ( including a kids' ice cream social with costumed dancers, 3 p.m., June 16, Wrigley Square ) . But if it rains there's nothing droopier than a drippy tutu.
The week begins with a free concert at the Harris Music and Dance Theater ( June 13, 7:30 p.m. ) , featuring the Joffrey in a mixed repertory. The next night ( 6:30 p.m. ) , the company joins the Grant Park Orchestra outdoors at Pritzker Pavilion to open the 2006 season of free concerts. The Joffrey will dance the Prelude to Debussy's Afternoon of a Faun. The troupe appears with the Orchestra again June 16 ( 6:30 p.m. ) and June 17 ( 7:30 p.m. ) to dance the Ball Scene and Balcony Scene from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. The June 17 program is a Joffrey 50th anniversary gala featuring additional dance selections to music of Albinoni, Shostakovich and others.
The week also offers many audience-engaging special events and mini-performances throughout Millennium Park. For example, the public can join Joffrey company members in a session of yoga, Pilates and stretching on the park's Great Lawn, June 17-18 ( 8 a.m. ) . After the June 17 stretch class, breakfast will be served ( 11 a.m. ) . Or kids and fathers are encouraged to join the Father's Day Parade June 18 ( 2 p.m. ) , led by costumed characters from The Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker. For the complete Come Dance With Us schedule, go to joffrey.com .
For the latest in area dance news, as well as dance-related offers, go to seechicagodance.com, a great website. Also see listings at www.windycitymediagroup.com .
