In numerous speeches since taking office in May 2011, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has declared his desire to make Chicago "an international destination for dance." With two highly anticipated major dance events this month, we're 'off to a great start.
Dance For Life, an annual dance concert that brings local companies together on the same stage for a one-night-only show to raise funds for HIV/AIDS prevention and services, and the Chicago Dancing Festival, a week-long fest of free dance events featuring performers from around the world, hit city stages in late August. One brings community together for a great cause; the other provides access for all Chicagoans to see world-class dance without the big-ticket price.
Now in its 21st year, Dance For Life has raised almost $4 million to directly benefit people living with HIV/AIDS. The 2012 beneficiaries are AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Chicago Women's AIDS Project and The Dancers' Fund. Local heavy hitters Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Joffrey Ballet, Luna Negra Dance Theater, River North Dance Chicago and Ron de Jesus Dance will perform in this year's show along with world premieres from two prominent gay Chicago choreographers. Randy Duncan and Harrison McEldowney will create brand-new works to close each act of the performance.
Both men have a long history working with Dance For Life and their show-stopping numbers have become highlights of this unique evening of entertainment. Duncan, 53, has been choreographing the finale since 1995, only missing one year while he was in Singapore helping to open an arts school. McEldowney, 50, took over choreography duties for the finale that year after many stints utilizing his trademark wit and style to set a humorous dance for the raffle held during intermission. The format adopted last year for the 20th anniversary will be repeated, with McEldowney creating a finale for the first half of the show and Duncan back as the closer.
Area dancers are handpicked for these prestigious finale spots as they donate their time and talent for the rehearsals and the Aug. 18 performance. "They throw their hearts and souls into this," said Duncan. "Most of them have never worked together before, so there's a feeling of community. The energy in the studio is so great! It's like molding clay until you have a sculpture."
Duncan's piece will be set to original music by Emmy Award-winning musician/composer Andy Mitran with costumes by Chicago artist Jeff Hancock. McEldowney will collaborate once again with long-time creative partner Jeremy Plummer of C5, a local creative company that blends dance with aerial acrobatics, for an all men's piece that's sure to take the audience by surprise. Works from past years have incorporated cubes, silks and nets with music from acts ranging from Annie Lennox to Queen.
Participating in Dance For Life was never really a question for these two choreographers. Having lived through the early days of the AIDS crisis, the cause is near and dear to them. "I was living in New York City in the '80s at the start of it," McEldowney said. "So many friends died. Nobody knew what it was; nobody talked about it. There was a lack of understanding, a questioning of why them and not me? I'll do anything I can do to help people and keep the memory alive."
Duncan lost many friends as well, including his mentor Joseph Holmes, who gave him his first dancing job when he was 15. "In the early days, we had so many dancers falling, dying from AIDS," he said. "To be a part of something that was going to help these dancers live … I wanted to do anything I could. My one way of giving and sharing my support was to lend my own gift."
In an interesting sidebar this year, one of Duncan's former students at Chicago Academy for the Arts—Joffrey Ballet dancer Michael Smith, 30—makes his debut as a Dance For Life choreographer. His work, "Knowest Not," was originally created for six Joffrey dancers in 2011 and was presented at a benefit for EMBARC Chicago. As a frequent Dance For Life participant who has worked with Duncan and McEldowney, he's excited for this opportunity. "It's weird to be able to share the stage with them," said the out, up-and-coming choreographer.
Less than 48 hours after the Dance For Life performance, the Chicago Dancing Festival kicks off six days of free programming with the Chicago Now performance at the Harris Theater for music and Dance at Millennium Park. This new program features all Chicago companies, including festival newcomer Giordano Dance Chicago in a commissioned piece by Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman along with two world premieres.
Programming for the rest of the week includes a day of dance films, an evening of outdoor dance including a free lesson, a discussion on the state of dance in Chicago moderated by dance writer Zac Whittenburg and a performance looking at dance outside of Chicago. The festival finishes with a "Celebration of Dance" on the outdoor stage at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. (This event is free and open to the public.)
According to festival co-founder Jay Franke, Chicago's dance-loving mayor has been a huge help. "The mayor has been one of our most supportive fans," said Franke. "I think we are very lucky to live in a city where not only are the arts important to our mayor, but especially dance. Don't be surprised if you see him at almost all of our performances."
Dance For Life will be presented at The Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Pkwy. on Saturday, Aug. 18, at 8 p.m. A pre-performance gala will be held at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets are $175-$500; call 312-922-5812 or visit www.danceforlifechicago.com .
The Chicago Dancing Festival will take place Monday-Saturday, Aug. 20—25 at multiple venues. See www.chicagodancingfestival.com .
