Chicago Dancing Festival Announces 10th Anniversary Season Aug 23-27, 2016

Chicago Dancing Festival Announces 10th Anniversary Season Aug 23-27, 2016 1 The Chicago Dancing Festival proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary of free programming featuring performances by leading ballet, modern and contemporary dancers from across the country, August 23-27, 2016. Just as the Festival draws from top dance companies, this year’s program will once again be presented in Chicago’s top downtown venues including the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park plus the highly anticipated return to Chicago’s Landmark Stage, the Auditorium Theatre.

The Chicago Dancing Festival proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary of free programming featuring performances by leading ballet, modern and contemporary dancers from across the country, August 23-27, 2016. Just as the Festival draws from top dance companies, this year’s program will once again be presented in Chicago’s top downtown venues including the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park plus the highly anticipated return to Chicago’s Landmark Stage, the Auditorium Theatre.

Co-produced by renowned choreographer Lar Lubovitch and highly esteemed Chicago dancer Jay Franke, the Chicago Dancing Festival has provided increased accessibility to dance and raised Chicago’s profile as a premiere dance destination. Over the last decade, the Festival has presented more than 100 exceptional dance companies from Chicago and around the world, commissioned eight World Premieres by local and national artists, and performed before more than 90,000 people while maintaining free admission for all.

“In 2006, we envisioned a way to provide accessibility of high-quality dance to enrich the lives of Chicagoans,” said Franke. “We’ve received generous support through so many individuals that we’ve been able to bring a diverse range of world- class companies to Chicago stages to share their technique and transformative power of dance. This year, we honor our 10th anniversary with our most beloved choreographers, prestigious artists, and works from the Festival’s 10-year history. I’m proud to say that we have helped raise the national and international profile of dance in Chicago and are humbled to have been able to present programs that speak to the audience and dance lovers of all ages!”

Highlights of the 2016 Festival include:

  • A Chicago Dancing Festival company debut by Pennsylvania Ballet, one of the nation’s leading ballet companies.
  • For the first time, an evening-length program devoted to “Modern Men” featuring performances by all male dancers including Festival debuts by international choreographer and founder of MOVE: the company, Joshua Beamish and Bessie Award-winning modern dancers Rashaun Mitchell and Silas Riener. Modern Men will also feature performances by critically acclaimed artist and Choreographer in Residence at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance Brian Brooks and the popular returns of Rennie Harris Pure Movement and Aszure Barton + Artists.
  • The return of audience favorites and original commissions from Chicago Dancing Festival’s 10-year history, including works by George Balanchine, Alexander Ekman, William Forsythe,Christopher Wheeldon, Crystal Pite and Lar Lubovitch plus performances by Stars of American Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, Guest Artists of The Royal Ballet, Rennie Harris Pure Movement and Chicago’s very own The Joffrey Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

                                                                                                            

Chicago Dancing Festival 2016 Schedule

Tuesday, August 23, 2016 7:00 p.m.

Auditorium Theatre, 50 East Congress Parkway

Opening Night Celebration”

Wednesday, August 246:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 East Chicago Avenue

“Modern Men”

Thursday, August 257:30p.m.

Harris Theater for Music and Dance at Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Street

Saturday, August 277:30 p.m.

Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph Street

“Dancing Under the Stars”

 

Additional details for the 2016 Festival, including repertoire, to be announced soon.  All programs are subject to change.

Tickets

All events are free and seating is general admission, however, tickets for indoor events are required and must be reserved in advance.

Tickets for the August 23 program at Auditorium Theatre will be released on Thursday, July 21. Tickets for the August 24 programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art will be released on Wednesday, July 20. Tickets to the August 25 program at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance will be released on Tuesday, July 19. Limit two (2) tickets per order for all venues.

No tickets are required for the Dancing Under the Stars closing night performance at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park on August 27. However, please note that fixed seating at the Pavilion is available on a first-come-first-served basis in addition to lawn seating. The Dancing Under the Stars program will also be projected on a video screen visible to lawn patrons. 

Information regarding how to reserve Chicago Dancing Festival tickets to be announced. For the most up-to-date ticketing details, please visit chicagodancingfestival.com.

About The Chicago Dancing Festival

Established in 2006 by internationally renowned choreographer and Chicago native Lar Lubovitch and highly esteemed Chicago dancer Jay Franke, Chicago Dancing Company NFP produces the Chicago Dancing Festival each summer. Ten years later, through the combined curatorial expertise of Lubovitch and Franke, the Festival has become synonymous with excellence. The Festival’s mission is to present a wide variety of excellent dance, enrich the lives of the people of Chicago and provide increased accessibility to the art form, thereby helping create a new audience.  Its vision is to raise the national and international profile of dance in the city, furthering Chicago as a dance destination.

For more information regarding Chicago Dancing Festival tickets and performance schedules, please visit www.chicagodancingfestival.com.