Chicago Chic

Chicago would like to have this dance. Did you know that the city is home to several of the world’s most critically acclaimed dance companies, choreographers and performers? Try more than 200.

A unique aspect of Chicago’s dance scene is the emphasis on free and affordable programming. One example is the Chicago Dancing Festival, which returns for its 5th year, August 23-27, with five days of free dance-related events and performances by 18 local and national companies in venues throughout downtown Chicago. The grand finale showcase at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park is expected to be attended by more than 10,000 people, and as a whole the festival is estimated to attract more than 17,000 attendees.

Check out these other dance companies:

•Joffrey Ballet – World-class, Chicago-based ballet company presenting a unique repertoire encompassing masterpieces of the past and cutting-edge works.
•Hubbard Street Dance Chicago – Critically acclaimed contemporary company known for its exuberant, athletic and innovative repertoire.
•River North Dance Chicago – Jazz-based contemporary company embodies a true flavor of “Americana” in its repertoire with emotive dancers and commanding choreography.
•Chicago Human Rhythm Project – World-class tap company that emphasizes community outreach programs that further the art form’s development and build affinity between diverse groups of people.
•Luna Negra Dance Theater – Founded by Cuban-born dancer and choreographer Eduardo Vilaro, Luna Negra celebrates the richness and diversity of Latino culture through the creation and performance of works by contemporary Latino choreographers.
•Natya Dance Theatre – Critically acclaimed and culturally treasured Indian dance company preserves and perpetuates Bharata Natyam in all its classical rigor, and moves the art form in innovative directions to foster cultural exchange through dance.
•Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago – Founded by the jazz dance legend, Gus Giordano, the company captivates audiences worldwide with the diversity and wide appeal of its repertoire.
•Deeply Rooted Dance Theater – Rooted in African-American traditions of storytelling in contemporary modern dance, the company performs world-class dance that entertains, inspires and builds community.
•Joel Hall Dancers – Co-founded in 1974 by Joel Hall, noted creator of his own innovative Chicago urban jazz style of movement, the ethnically diverse company performs a blend of jazz, ballet, modern and “street” dance techniques.
•Mordine & Company Dance Theater – One of Chicago’s longest-running contemporary companies, praised for original choreography combining wit and sheer movement with technical sophistication.
•Thodos Dance Chicago – Ensemble-based contemporary dance speaks to a wider audience with an appealing range of styles incorporating an innovative flair.
•Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater – Shares the rich traditions of the dance, music, literature, and culture of Spain in their classical, folkloric and Flamenco performance style.

Dozens of experimental companies call Chicago home, including:
•Lucky Plush Productions – Contemporary dance-theater company is known for its lush and evocative movement, witty commentary, and artful integration of theater and visual design.
•BONEdanse Excavation – Experimental company performs and presents challenging and stimulating dance theater driven by the use of movement, theater, and multi-media elements.
•Hedwig Dances –  Contemporary dance theatre ensemble performs bold, interdisciplinary collaborations that combine poetic choreography, sculptural artifacts and haunting original music.
•The Leopold Group – Emerging modern dance company that creates accessible and intellectual dance performances.
•Molly Shanahan Mad Shak –  Presents the unique choreography of praised Chicagoan Molly Shanahan, whose work is characterized by intrinsic impulses and a spontaneous, expressive and vulnerable performance quality.

To learn more about Chicago’s dance community, visit SeeChicagoDance.com.