CHICAGO ( June 12, 2015 ) —The Chicago Dancing Festival is proud to announce the 9th annual program will take place August 25-29, 2015. Co-produced by renowned choreographer Lar Lubovitch and highly esteemed Chicago dancer Jay Franke, the Chicago Dancing Festival will bring together leading ballet, modern and contemporary dancers from Chicago and across the country to present the largest dance festival in the nation.
Just as the Festival draws from top dance companies across the nation, this year's program will once again be featured in top venues across Chicago's downtown summer playground, including the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park.
"Nine years ago, it was our vision to increase accessibility to high-quality dance as a way to enrich the lives of Chicagoans, and this year, we've not only upheld this mission but expanded to present a caliber of programming unrivaled by festivals of its kind," said Franke. The Festival has made Chicago a premiere destination for dance and we look forward to bringing back the very best to Chicago's stages this summer."
Highlights of the 2015 Festival include:
The Festival debuts of Miami City Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and, from New York City, Ballet Hispanico and Lori Belilove & The Isadora Duncan Dance Company, plus the Chicago debut of Brooklyn-based contemporary dance troupe Kate Weare Dance Company.
The return of Festival favorites Martha Graham Dance Company, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Pam Tanowitz Dance, Brian Brooks Moving Company, artists of American Ballet Theatre and Chicago's own The Joffrey Ballet andHubbard Street Dance Chicago
For the first time, an entire evening is devoted to "Modern Women," featuring works created by lauded and renowned female choreographers from across the nation.
Continuing the Festival tradition of commissioning new works, Chicago Human Rhythm Project with special guests will present the world premiere of a new tap and percussive dance piece commissioned just for Chicago Dancing Festival 2015.
- A Gala one-night-only program of solos & duets, and benefit dinner, will take place on Friday, August 28, at the Museum of Contemporary Art with proceeds benefiting the Chicago Dancing Festival's ongoing mission to present superior dance programming.
Chicago Dancing Festival 2015 Schedule
Tuesday, August 25 — 7:30 p.m.
Harris Theater for Music and Dance at Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Street.
"Opening Night Celebration"
Lar Lubovitch Dance Company
Ballet Hispanico
Pam Tanowitz Dance
Wednesday, August 26 — 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 East Chicago Avenue
"Modern Women"
Lori Belilove & The Isadora Duncan Dance Company accompanied by a live solo pianist
Kate Weare Dance Company
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Pam Tanowitz Dance accompanied by members of the Chicago Philharmonic
Thursday, August 27 —7:30 p.m.
Harris Theater for Music and Dance at Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Street.
"Dancing at the Harris"
Chicago Human Rhythm Project with special guests — World Premiere - Commissioned by The Chicago Dancing Festival
The Joffrey Ballet
Miami City Ballet
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Soloists from American Ballet Theatre
Friday, August 28 — 6:30 p.m. and post-performance Gala
Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 East Chicago Avenue
A Gala one-night-only performance of solos and duets by members of the nation's top dance companies
Saturday, August 29 — 7:30 p.m.
Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph Street
"Dancing Under the Stars"
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
The Joffrey Ballet accompanied by two live pianists
Miami City Ballet
Brian Brooks Moving Company
Soloists from American Ballet Theatre
Chicago Human Rhythm Project with special guests
Additional details for the 2015 Festival to be announced soon. All programs are subject to change.
Tickets
All events are free and seating is general admission, but tickets for indoor events must be reserved in advance at the venue's box office.
No tickets are required for the closing night performance at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park on August 29. However, please note that fixed seating at the Pavilion is available on a first-come-first-served basis with lawn seating available once these seats have filled. A simulcast of the "Dancing Under the Stars" program will also be shown during the performance on a video screen viewable to all fixed seat and lawn patrons.
Tickets for the August 25 and 27 programs at the Harris Theater will be released at noon on July 9, available in person at the Harris Theater Box Office, 205 E. Randolph Drive, by calling ( 312 ) 334-7777 and online at harristheaterchicago.org . Limit two ( 2 ) tickets per order.
Tickets for the August 26 and 28 programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art will be released at noon on July 10 in person at the MCA Stage Box Office, 220 E. Chicago Avenue, or by calling ( 312 ) 397-4010. Limit two ( 2 ) tickets per order.
Tickets for the August 28 Gala benefit performance at the Museum of Contemporary Art will go on-sale in mid-July. Details available online at chicagodancingfestival.com .
About The Chicago Dancing Festival
Established in 2006 by internationally renowned choreographer and Chicago native Lar Lubovitch and highly esteemed Chicago dancer Jay Franke, Chicago Dancing Company NFP produces the Chicago Dancing Festival each summer. Nine years later, through the combined curatorial expertise of Lubovitch and Franke, the Festival has become synonymous with excellence. The Festival's mission is to present a wide variety of excellent dance, enrich the lives of the people of Chicago and provide increased accessibility to the art form, thereby helping create a new audience. Its vision is to raise the national and international profile of dance in the city, furthering Chicago as a dance destination.
For more information regarding Chicago Dancing Festival tickets and performance schedules, please visitwww.chicagodancingfestival.com .
