This month we are celebrating the old and welcoming in the new. Two events happening in July, while accomplishing very different goals, come from a foundation of seeking to preserve, grow and bring community to the art form of dance. From emerging experimental choreographers to passing on the tradition of tap dance—there are sparks flying around the city that just may make you want to put on your own dancing shoes.
If you could give a $10,000 grant to an emerging Chicago dance artist, who would you choose? This is the underlying premise of The A.W.A.R.D Show!, put on by The Joyce Theater Foundation, in association with The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. A national event, each of the 2010—2011 series—in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle—presents the work of 12 emerging choreographers. Three preliminary evenings feature the work of four choreographers per night. Each dance piece is 12—15 minutes of a completed work, excerpt or work-in-progress. After each performance, a moderated artist and audience discussion takes place, followed by an audience vote to select a finalist to perform on the fourth and final night of the series. Each night, the audience and the artists are invited to a post-performance reception to encourage further informal dialogue about the work. On the final night in each city, a panel of experts in dance and other cultural arts fields, along with the audience, chooses the winner of the award.
A.W.A.R.D is an acronym that stands for Artists With Audiences Responding To Dance, and the mission of the event strives to help audiences better connect with the dance happening on the stage. While one artist does walk away with some hefty "prize money," the main focus remains in creating dialogue about the process behind the choreography as well as letting the public into the grant making decision. The Joyce Theater website describes the founding of the event in this way—"The A.W.A.R.D. Show! was created in 2005 by choreographer Neta Pulvermacher/The Neta Dance Company, Scott Kasen and producer Marisa König Beatty in response to a need for a lab-like space in which working dance artists can engage in an open dialogue with the audience about the work presented. It is dedicated to nurturing new work, discussion, exploration, creativity and to the free exchange of ideas, thoughts and opinions."
The Chicago event, to be held at The Dance Center of Columbia College July 28-30, promises a wide array of styles, artists and companies representing the up-and-coming dance scene in this city. July 28 features the work of Jacqueline Stewart, Alicia Wilson, Mike Gosney ( Elements Contemporary Ballet ) and Kate Corby ( Kate Corby & Dancers ) . July 29 showcases Peter Carpenter ( Peter Carpenter Performance Project ) , Rebecca Lemme, Michel Rodriguez ( Hedwig Dances ) and Molly Shanahan ( Mad Shak ) . July 30 brings the work of Mary Tisa, Ginger Krebs and Andy Braddock, Philip Elson, and Joanna Rosenthal ( Same Planet Different World ) to the stage.
The Joyce Theater, in association with The Dance Center of Columbia College, presents The A.W.A.R.D Show! held at The Dance Center of Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan, 8 p.m., July 28-31; $15. To purchase tickets call 312-369-8330 or visit www.colum.edu/dancecenter.
The Chicago Human Rhythm Project ( CHRP ) takes tap seriously. More than just a tap-dance company, CHRP has a long list of achievements as an organization that speaks to their passion and vision for the art form of tap. Celebrating 20 years this season, the mission of the organization is to "present world class, innovative performance, education and community outreach programs that further the art form's development and build affinity between diverse groups of people." Coming from the mindset that tap dance is a part of America's contribution to the global culture, CHRP works to both advance the form and preserve the tradition, history and memories of tap. The company presented the first and only year-round performance season of U.S. tap and percussive art, and the Rhythm World festival is the oldest and most comprehensive festival of American tap in the world.
Rhythm World takes place this year July 26—Aug. 8 in downtown Chicago. Kicking things off are intensive residencies led by Seattle-based international tap artists Cheryl Johnson and Anthony Peters; Dianne "Lady Di" Walker; Fernando Barba, founder of the Brazilian body percussion group Barbatuques; and Derick K. Grant of Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk and Imagine Tap. Also a part of the festival—Workshops and master classes, conferences regarding the field of tap, a kids program, and the presentation of the annual JUBA! Awards. Founder/Artistic Director Lane Alexander explained the significance of Rhythm World: "CHRP's 20th anniversary festival is not only a milestone for our organization, but also for the global field of tap presentation. It signifies that tap institutions are coming of age and that we are ready to take the next steps toward establishing the first cultural center in the world dedicated to American tap and contemporary percussive art."
The festival culminates with the performance of JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance at the Museum of Contemporary Art stage. Each night features a different group of Tap greats. The Aug. 4 performance, honoring JUBA! Award winners Dianne Walker and Sam Weber, features Alexander, Ayodele Casel, Jay Fagan, Derick Grant, Jason Janas, Sarah Savelli and Jason Samuels Smith, in addition to Walker and Weber. The Aug. 5 performance—honoring JUBA! Award winner Gene Medler—features Fernando Barba and Bruno Buarque of Barbatuques, Michelle Dorrance, Jakari Sherman, Lukas Weiss and several of the nation's finest youth tap ensembles. The Aug. 7 performance—honoring the MCA as a JUBA! Award winner—has CHRP's resident ensemble BAM! and a wealth of Chicago tap ensembles including the Cartier Collective, Chicago Tap Theatre, Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, Jus'LisTeN and MADD Rhythms.
For complete Rhythm World information, visit www.chicagotap.org or call 773-281-1825.
CHRP presents Jumba! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance at The Museum of Contemporary Art Stage, 220 E. Chicago, 7:30 p.m., on Aug. 4, 5 and 7; $30, $25 MCA members, $10 students. To purchase tickets call 312-397-4010 or visit www.mcachicago.org/performances.
