Happy Spring from DanceWorks Chicago

Excited to finish out the month with new works:

• DanceWorks Chicago welcomes guest choreographer Thom Dancy to the studio to create a new work commissioned by Dance St. Louis. Join us for Dance Bytes, an informal showing at 3pm on Friday, March 27 in our home at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. FREE
• DWC's monthly Dance Chance event showcases the work of three local dancemakers with this month's 'Chance led by guest moderator Brian Enos. Sail into the weekend by supporting Chicago creatives at 7pm on Friday, March 27, hosted by our venue partner Lou Conte Dance Studio. $3

Happy Spring!?

Take a chance...

...with Dance Chance! Dance Chance celebrates its first anniversary at Lou Conte Dance Studio with lots of dance and lots of giveaways to take classes and see performances around Chicago. Join us from 7pm-8pm this Friday, January 30 for DanceWorks Chicago's version of open-mic night and support work by three local choreographers. Only $3!

DanceWorks Chicago's DanceMoves!

DanceWorks Chicago piloted the DanceMoves Choreography Competition in our 2012-2013 season to great enthusiasm. DWC is perfectly positioned to build on this successful debut and provide a layer of opportunity for Chicago-based choreographers as we continue our on-going commitment to encourage new work via Dance Chance, our monthly version of open mic night. We are excited to develop ways for local choreographers to shine and are proud to contribute to the city's cultural landscape by encouraging creativity and promoting excellence.

We are grateful to all of the dancemakers who shared work with us through the application process. It is with excitement that we announce the DanceMoves 2014 choreographers:

Connor Cornelius, from Oak Park, IL, graduated cum laude from Western Michigan University with a BFA in Dance. Connor is currently a performance apprentice with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre.

Ayako Kato is a Chicago-based dancer/choreographer who hails from Yokohama, Japan. Since 1998, she has been the Artistic Director of Ayako Kato/Art Union Humanscape and presented and performed her works extensively in the United States, Japan, and Europe.

Taylor Mitchell graduated with his BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona, where he received the "Creative Achievement Award" for various works of choreography set on the U of A ensemble and musical theater department. Taylor is a company member with Thodos Dance Chicago.

Liv Schaffer, from Algonquin, IL, graduated summa cum laude from Alonzo King's LINES BFA Program at Dominican University. Liv has danced and choreographed with the JUNTOS Collective, and her work has been presented at American College Dance Festival Association's Baja Conference. Liv is a member of DanceWorks Chicago.
Each of these choreographers will create a new work inspired by the city of Chicago to be unveiled in studio showings this autumn. First up: Connor Cornelius! Please join us for Dance Bytes in our home at the Ruth Page Center on Friday, October 3 to see Connor unveil her new creation!

Stay tuned for more DanceMoves news and join us to support fresh voices and next steps in the Chicago dance community.

 

DanceWorks Chicago performs at Dance for Life Kick-Off Party!

DanceWorks Chicago has been honored with an invitation to perform at the Dance for Life Kick-Off Party at Joffrey Tower this Monday night. DWC will present an excerpt of work by California choreographers casebolt and smith, Dance Moves (our biennial choreographic competition for Chicago-based artists) choreographer Joshua Manculich, and DWC dancer alum Greg Blackmon (whose piece debuted in last month's Dance Chance). PROUD to support!

DanceWorks Chicago is warming up...

It's Chicago Dance Month, and DanceWorks Chicago is warming up...check out these diverse offerings:

TONIGHT: Saturday, April 12: DWC performs I Wantchu Kool Cuz U Blow My Mind as part of A Beatles Songbook at the Pick-Staiger Concert Hall in Evanston, 7:30pm, $20

 

Friday, April 25: Dance Chance, Lou Conte Dance Studio, 7pm-8pm, $3

 

Sunday, April 27: DWC's 6 + 1 benefit, Museum of Contemporary Art, 1pm-4pm

Spring to...Dance Chance!

DanceWorks Chicago hosts Dance Chance this Friday, March 28 at 7pm at the Lou Conte Dance Studio. Friday's one-hour event will feature work by Marc Macaranas, Liv Schaffer, and Johnny McMillan and be guest moderated by Jennifer Armstrong, Director, Community Arts Development, Illinois Arts Council.  $3  
Join us to build a vibrant community for dancers, dancemakers, and dance!

DanceWorks Chicago on the MOVE!

DWC returns to Mexico next weekend to make our debut in the Festival Internacional de Danza Córdoba at the end of the month! We are honored to represent Chicago at this international convening. When we return, DWC offers Dance Chance, Dance Bytes, and our annual open company audition to our local community of artists and audience. Always moving!

Off to New York

...for showcases as part of APAP. DWC has been honored with multiple performance opportunities including the Siegel Artist Management showcase at City Center, Dance Gotham at the Skirball Center, and our full performance debut at Symphony Space! We are looking forward to a whirlwind weekend. Dancers are very excited...it will be the first trip to New York City for two of them. We love sharing new experiences with these young artists!

Back in Chicago next week. Hope to see you at Eat to the Beat at the Harris at noon on Thursday, Dance Flight in our home at the Ruth Page Center from 6pm-7pm on Friday, the DWC open company audition (you don't have to dance, you can come watch!) on stage of the Dance Center of Columbia College beginning at 1pm on Saturday, and our monthly Dance Chance at the Ruth Page Center at 6pm on Monday the 16th--Ra Joy will be our guest moderator!

DanceWorks Chicago...always moving.