Summer is slowly but surely creeping into Chicago, but just because the temperatures are climbing up doesn't mean the dance scene is cooling down. Though we're past the 'main' spring performance season there are still some wonderful dance events to take in over the next few months, even some that you can get yourself involved in, too. Here is a sample of what's to come:
Thomas Nicholas and Victoria Jaiani take part in a Joffrey Ballet rehearsal. Photo by Herbert Migdoll
A great way to see the phenomenal technique and creativity of the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago ( HSDC ) dancers is to see their annual summer choreographic workshop, 'Inside/Out.' The company will perform works-in-progress created by HSDC main dancers Fri.-Sat., June 6-7, at the Dance Center of Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan. 'Inside/Out' is an opportunity for HSDC dancers to explore not only their choreographic voices but also related skills, such as administration and technical support, and will feature brand-new pieces by Shannon Alvis, Autumn Eckman, Brian Enos, Laura Halm, Jason Hortin, Terence Marling, Jamy Meek, Yarden Ronen, Kevin Shannon, Benjamin Wardell and Robyn Mineko Williams. 312-850-9744; $20-$35.
The charming outdoor Ravinia Festival is always a soothing way to enjoy dance and music, and inexpensive compared to downtown theatre tickets. This year, the Ruth Page Festival of Dance at Ravinia kicks off with the return of one of Chicago's leading contemporary companies, CDI/Concert Dance Inc., Wed-Thurs. June 11-12. The program will be highlighted by three world premieres by Artistic Director Venetia Stifler. Commissioned by the 'One Score, One Chicago' project, Stifler will premiere an as-of-yet untitled work set to the music of Bohemian-Austrian composer Gustav Mahler. Among other pieces, the program premieres 'Fugues,' a piece for four male dancers set to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, and 'German Songs,' a dance in four sections that features couples in various phases of romance set to the music of Johann Strauss and Franz Schubert. Bennett-Gordon Hall, 200 Ravinia Park, Highland Park; 847-266-5100; $10 for reserved seats and no lawn tickets will be available.
A Dream of Arabia makes its United States debut Thur.-Sun., June 12-15, at the Lund Auditorium of Dominican Univeristy, 7900 W. Division, River Forest. Described as 'a Middle Eastern 'Riverdance,'' A Dream of Arabia is a revival of the true ancient art of Middle Eastern dance and utilizes the universal language of music and dance in a quest to unite humanity through thought and innovation. By introducing Westerners to Middle Eastern culture through this first-of-its-kind production, A Dream of Arabia works to clear up misconceptions and build a bridge across the expansive cultural divide which so often hinders tolerance between Middle Eastern and Western societies. 708-488-5000; $29.50-$95.
The Anila Sinha Foundation presents a rare and unique dance-and-drum duet featuring Pandit Birju Maharaj and Ustad Zakir Hussain accompanied by a live orchestra on Fri., June 13 at the Harris Theatre for Music and Dance. 205 E. Randolph. Maharaj is internationally recognized as the greatest living exponent of the North Indian Classical dance 'Kathak.' Zakir Hussain is an international phenomenon both in the field of percussion and throughout the musical world. This evening of performance will be a wonderful window into the art of Indian dance and music. 312-344-7777; $35-$100.
The 12th Annual Chicago SummerDance series gets underway June 12-Aug. 24 as the Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park becomes a unique outdoor urban dance space—the largest of its kind in the United States. More than 60,000 locals and visitors will dance to the sounds of 43 different bands playing everything from swing, salsa and soukous to cajun, balkan and klezmer, all on one huge, recycled-plastic dance floor. SummerDance events occur Thurs.-Sat., 6-9:30 p.m., and Sun., 4-7 p.m., weather permitting. The programs are formatted into themes featuring world-music ensembles on Thursdays; 'popular nights' including Latin, swing and steppin' on Fridays and Saturdays; and ballroom/big band on Sundays. All the events are free and open to the public. For more information and for program specifics, call 312-742-4007 or visit www.ChicagoSummerDance.org .
Thodos Dance Chicago presents 'New Dances' Fri.-Sun., July 11-13, at the Ruth Page Theatre, 1016 N. Dearborn. 'New Dances' is a venue for the company's main dancers to create new work on their peers, exploring dance aesthetics that range from ballet and jazz to modern and avant-garde. This year Zachary Whittenburg will be the special guest choreographer contributing to the show. The program will also feature premieres from 'New Dances' veteran choreographers Jessica Miller Tomlinson and Kelsey Yates, as well as work by Jeremy Blair, Sean Dahlberg, Kellie Hodges, Ryan Miller, Dori Santarsiere and Jackie Stewart. 312-266-6255; $20-$35.
Last but not least, return to the Ravinia Pavilion for the Ruth Page Festival of Dance at Ravinia to enjoy performances by The Joffrey Ballet Sat., Aug. 16. This will be a wonderful way to enjoy the spectacular Joffrey dancers in a more intimate and relaxing setting. 847-266-5100; Lawn $10, Reserved seats $15-$40.
