Dance for Life is a fantastic event that brings together the best Chicago dance companies and the best dance audience. The proceeds go to the Dancers’ Fund, which provides financial assistance to dance community professionals in their time of need due to a medical issue. It’s a celebration of the dance community and its ability to care for its own. Here is a selection of some of the best performances:
Giordano Dance Chicago
SOUL (2018)
Choreography by Ray Leeper (So You Think You Can Dance)
Music: Tina Turner – Proud Mary
This piece is so fun, soulful and energetic, just like Ray Leeper’s work on So You Think You Can Dance. It has mass appeal and truly matches the spirit of this iconic song. The picture captures a moment of this joyful dance. Catch Giordano Dance Chicago next at the Harris Theatre on October 25th or 26th.
The Joffrey Ballet
Lorelei (2018)
Choreography: Nicolas Blanc
Bells (2011)
Choreography: Yuri Possokhov
Both of these duets by the Joffrey are very graceful and beautiful. They stand out on this night as the most elegant and stylish. The Joffrey Ballet are true masters of this art form.
Catch The Joffrey Ballet next from October 16-27 in their production of Jane Eyre.
Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater
Mar de Fuego / Sea of Fire (2018)
Choreography: Carlos Rodriguez
This dance is dedicated to Dame Libby Komaiko (1949-2019), the founder of Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater. It’s a beautiful piece of movement fusing flamenco, folkloric, classical, and contemporary styles.
Catch Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater next on October 4th back at the Auditorium Theatre with Cerqua Rivera.
Chicago Dance Crash
Leap of Faith (2018)
Choreography: Jessica Deahr in collaboration with the dancers
On multiple occasions, the dancers pull of impressive feats that are met with gasps from the crowd. It’s modern and it’s fresh and it fits in perfectly on this night.
Catch Chicago Dance Crash next from August 23rd to August 31st in their World Premiere of Lil Pine Nut.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Excerpt from Decadance / Chicago (2018)
Choreography: Ohad Naharin
Music: Chair Dance (Echad Mi Yodeah) by Ohad Naharin and Tractor’s Revenge
This piece features all the dancers dressed up in suits seated in a large semi circle. As the intense music plays, all the dancers remove their clothing one piece at a time while chanting along to the music. It’s very repetitive and feels like the dragging on of a long work week. One dancer repeatedly falls and struggles to keep up with the others. It feels like he doesn’t fit in and isn’t right for this job. It’s a very interesting piece open to interpretation.
Catch Hubbard Street Dance next at the Harris Theatre on November 7th, 9th, and 10th.
Cost of a ticket: $75
PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It
Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother
Quinn Delaney
PlaylistHQ 