COMMUNITY RHYTHMS III SHOWCASES DANCE COMPANIES IN A DAY OF WORKSHOPS & PERFORMANCES
Release Date: 08/23/07
The Chicago Park District in partnership with Deeply Rooted Productions presents Community Rhythms III: A Dance Festival in the Park, Saturday, Sept. 15 at the South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr. Registration is at 9 a.m. with workshops and performances following from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Admission is $5, and all ages are welcome.
“Many of these companies are our resident arts partners at parks throughout the city,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Timothy J. Mitchell. “We invite the public to join us for this unique opportunity to train alongside Chicago’s premier dance troupes.”
Community Rhythms III welcomes all ages for a day of movement workshops and demonstrations from genres spanning tap, ballet, African, hip-hop, modern, country western, integrated dance, yoga, pilates, praise dance, jazz, belly dancing, steppin’ and Latin. Jazz master Joel Hall will also lead a special master class.
Participating professional companies perform excerpts from noon–1 p.m. and 4:30–5:30 p.m. The following 10 dance companies are participating in Community Rhythms III:
The Chicago FootworKINGZ (CFWK) is an all-star dance ensemble featuring the best of Chi-Town's footwork battle cliques, including BET's "Wildin’ Out Wednesdays" dance champs Creation, Heat Squad, 1.8.7. and Havoc. CFWK was founded in 2007 to bring attention to footworking, a Chicago-born dance style that evolved as a response to juke music, a sound developed from the city's house music era. For more information, email info@footworkingz.com.
The Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Performing Ensemble BAM! was created in 2004 as a choreographic project with funding from the Chicago Dancemakers’ Forum. BAM!’s repertory includes the classics, contemporary jazz, tap and experimental rhythmic expression, such as body drumming. Technical virtuosity and passion are the hallmarks of the company, which never fail to engage and surprise the most seasoned theater audiences. www.chicagotap.org
Chicagoland Liturgical Dance Collective, features members of several liturgical dance ministries throughout Chicago.
The Dance COLEctive was formed in 1996 to preserve, advance and strengthen the art of contemporary dance. TDC has contributed to the support of 13 choreographers, 43 dancers and 50 collaborating artists. TDC was a Chicago Park District Arts Partner in Residence at the Broadway Amory Park from 1998-2001 where they rehearsed and taught classes to park patrons on a weekly basis. www.dancecolective.com
Dance > Detour is Chicago’s first professional “diverse-abilities” dance company comprised of multi-talented artists with and without disabilities. Dance > Detour’s work is solely dedicated to the art of physically integrated dance and collaborations that include dancers of all abilities who explore movement possibilities together as equals. www.dancedetour.org
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater’s second company, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater II, is comprised of training program participants who demonstrate high levels of achievement. Company members learn contemporary work as well as pieces created specifically for them. DRDT2 performs at various venues across Chicago and presents an annual concert each spring. www.deeplyrootedproductions.org
Lucky Plush Productions is a contemporary dance company that creates immersive and transformative environments through the use of objects, visual design and a textured movement landscape. Since 1999, Lucky Plush has facilitated the relationship between dance, performance and new media technologies, offering an interdisciplinary platform in Chicago for innovative artists to collaborate. www.luckyplush.com
Founded in 1974 by Joel Hall and Joseph Ehrenberg as the Chicago City Theatre Company, the Joel Hall Dancers & Center (JHDC) encompasses Chicago's longest-thriving multi-cultural dance company and training center. Joel Hall continues to serve as the Artistic Director. Located in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, the JHDC offers over 150 weekly classes for aspiring dancers, ages 3 - adult. www.joelhall.org
Najwa Dance Corps presents an exciting repertoire that spans the eras of African-American heritage. The company's performances showcase a breathtaking diversity of dance styles in a historical context from the rituals of traditional Africa to the glamorous chorus girls of the swing era. www.najwadancecorps.org
Founded in 1989 by four visionary dancer/choreographers, River North Chicago has grown into a 13-member ensemble that performs at home in Chicago, tours nationally, and offers a contract period for its dancers that averages 38 weeks per season. Over its 17-year history, the company has created a varied, eclectic, and entertaining repertoire. www.rivernorthchicago.com
For more information on the Chicago Park District, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312-742-PLAY or 312-747-2001 (TTY).
- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529