Categories: Chicago Dance
Chicago Dance: Where to See It
Author: Sarah DiGiulio
So many different ways to see dance, leaving the question, where to begin? Dance in Chicago is happening in 100-seat black box theaters and in architectual masterpieces, such as the Auditorium Theater. Here is a guide to some of the places in Chicago where dance tends to frequent the program.
Auditorium Theater
One of the most elegant venues to see dance in the Windy City is nestled in the heart of Chicago culture. The Auditorium Theater on Michigan Avenue is walking distance from Orchestra Hall, Millennium Park, and the Art Institute of Chicago. The Adler and Sullivan architectual classic, dating back to 1889, boasts three balconies, 3,900 seats, and a domed ceiling with perfect acoustics.
Chicago's renowned Joffrey Ballet calls the Auditorium home. They perform four major concerts each year, including their annual Nutcracker: a Chicago holiday tradition. The theater hosts several other dance companies throughout the year. Upcoming and past guest performers include the Kirov Ballet, the Batsheva Dance Company, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg and the Nederlands Dans Theater.
And when dance is not on the program, the Auditorium presents Broadway musicals and pop and jazz music concerts. Check out the theater's online calendar for an updated list of events.
Ruth Page Center for the Arts
Located in the River North theater district, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts is a hotspot for new dance companies in Chicago. The building serves as a joint home to several of Chicago's performing artists including Dance Works Chicago, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Mordine and Company Dance Theater, River North Chicago Dance, Concert Dance, Inc., and the Civic Ballet of Chicago. The building has rehearsal studios and a 250-seat theater that hosts a wide variety of performances by the theater's home companies and guests. From the most contemporary of Chicago's companies to small ballet companies to African dance, the Ruth Page theater hosts an eclectic variety of artists, both known and the up and coming.
This intimate, dance-friendly setting resides just a short walk from the vibrant nightlife of Rush Street and the shopping whirlwind of the Magnificent Mile and Water Tower Place. Parking is tight, so try an alternate mode of transport if possible.
Chicago Cultural Center
This 110-year-old building covers an entire city block in one of the busiest parts of the Loop and dedicates each square foot to preserving the arts in Chicago. With two theaters, dance studios, and performance space in the main rotunda, dance is often on the weekly agenda of the Cultural Center. The DanceBridge program brings a local dance company to rehearse at the Cultural Center for 12 weeks, which ends with a performance of that company's work. AboutDance takes place on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Each performance in the series begins with dance by a local company and concludes with discussion between a dance critic and the dancers. Lunch hour perfromances make for a healthy mid-day serving of culture or check out the Cultural Center's calendar of events for other performances any day of the week. Many shows are educational and entertaining; dance is often followed by Q-and-A sessions or dance lectures. All shows are free, unless otherwise noted. And with several other visual art displays spread throughout the building, the Chicago Cultural Center is one-stop-shopping for new art in Chicago.
The center is just a block away from the north end of Millennium Park and in the heart of the Loop. It is convenient to CTA buses or the green, purple, brown or orange line elevated trains.
Millennium Park
In the center of the city, Millennium Park offers two theaters to see dance--one inside and one outside--just steps from the Art Institute of Chicago, Orchestra Hall, and the Loop. The open-air Jay Pritzker Pavilion features a 120-foot covered stage with 4,000 seats and a lawn behind those seats with space for 7,000 more people (standing room or byo-blanket). Summer is the time to see everything on this stage from classic ballet to African tribal dance to the most contemporary dance in Chicago.
The indoor Harris Theater is home to Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, a world-touring Chicago contemporary dance company. But, the venue also hosts several visiting dance companies every year, which have included the San Francisco Ballet and the New York City Ballet. Built in 2003, the theater features contemporary architecture and seats 1,500 people. The Harris's performance season runs from late summer through the spring with dance sprinkled throughout.
Located in the heart of the city, restaurants, shopping and transportation are not far from either of Millennium Park's theaters. Underground parking garages provide a convenient place to stash the car, so visitors can enjoy the park. CTA buses, elevated trains, and Metra trains also offer easy ways to get to the park. Be sure to arrive early enough to stroll the park--the 110-ton "Cloud Gate" sculpture (better known to Chicagoans as "the bean") is a don't miss.
The Dance Center at Columbia College
The building houses Columbia College's dance program--studios and a 270-seat theater that hosts several contemporary dance companies each year. The series of performances follows the academic year: early fall straight through the spring. Performers come from across the country and around the world, representing what's new in contemporary dance. Past performers have inluded the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, the Urban Bush Women and Mordine and Company Dance Theater. If just seeing dance is not enough, check out the Dance Center's DanceMasters offerings: a series of master dance classes taught by touring companies. Visit the Dance Center's website for upcoming shows and class schedules.
The Dance Center is located in the South Loop neighborhood, just one block south of Grant Park--easily accessible by CTA buses or elevated trains.
Ravinia Festival
See dance outside. Enjoy the warm air and performing arts at the same time in Ravinia's 3,200-seat pavilion. Although musical artists from pop singers to symphony concerts are more frequently on the schedule, the Ruth Page Festival of Dance brings a handful of dance performances to Ravinia each summer. The Joffrey Ballet usually performs in August. Other companies have included contemporary, traditional African and Indian dance companies.
The open-air theater sits on a sprawling lawn where guests are invited to picnic before of during performances. The park features several restaurant choices, from fine dining to grab-n-go deli sandwiches. Get to Ravinia by taking the Metra train's Union Pacific North Line, whih stops in the park. Parking is also available on-site. Ravinia's summer performance season runs from late May until early September.
Check out places of interest near Chicago Dance: Where to See It:
Chicago Dance
415 W. Huron St.,
Chicago, IL 60654
This general purpose Chicago dance school takes beginners and turns them into competent foxtrotters, waltzers, etc. Classes are fun to take and instructors are open and easy.
Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater
5500 N. St. Louis Avenue,
Chicago, IL 60625
Get ready for some Spanish flair in Chicago. From folk dancing to flamenco, Ensemble Espanol presents traditional Spanish dance.
Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago
614 Davis Street,
Evanston, IL 60201
Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago is one of Chicago's first jazz companies. Performances include the newest in jazz dance.
Luna Negra Dance Theater
1016 N Dearborn Pkwy.,
Chicago, IL 60610
Chicago's Luna Negra Dance Theater creates, performs and teaches contemporary dancy by Latino choreographers.
Mordine & Company Dance Theater
1016 N. Dearborn St.,
Chicago, IL 60610
Mordine & Company Dance Theater is one of Chicago's oldest contemporary dance companies--they have been on the Chicago dance scene for almost 40 years. But, their dance is fresh and moving forward.
Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago
7127 South Ellis Avenue, Suite 2,
Chicago, IL 60619
For all types of African dance, see Chicago's Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago. From ancient tribal dance to new interpretations of African classics, this company is both cultural and energetic.
River North Chicago Dance Company
1016 N. Dearborn,
Chicago, IL 60610
River North Chicago Dance Company is Chicago jazz dance. It's fresh, but still has the energy and entertainment that defines jazz dance.
Thodos Dance Chicago
811 West Evergreen, Suite 301,
Chicago, IL 60622
This contemporary Chicago dance company promises bold movement with every performance. Their style is exciting and unique.
