THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

To kick off the 2012-2013 Season, the company will perform a Fall Engagement at The Harris Theatre (205 E Randolph St) November 16 — 17 introducing new work to their repertoire by innovative, emerging choreographers Adam Barruch and Nejla Yatkin. Other pieces will include Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle's "Three," Daniel Ezralow's "SUPER STRAIGHT is coming down…" and Chaves's own "Forbidden Boundaries. Four new dancers adding to River North's contemporary and athletic aesthetic include Levizadik Buckins (New Haven, CT), Taeler Cyrus (Los Angeles, CA), Olivia Rehrman (Dallas, TX) and Nunzio Perricone (Rome, Italy) who makes his American debut with RNDC after becoming a finalist on Italy's popular talent competition Amici.*For full dancer bios, please visit http://tinyurl.com/RNDCPressKit1213.

Tickets are on-sale now at www.harristheaterchicago.org or by calling 312.334.7777.

RNDC's annual gala will be held in conjunction with the Fall Engagement on Thursday, November 15 at the Harris Theater. The evening will begin with a selected showcase featuring Chaves' own pieces as well as other favorites from the company. Guests will then be treated to dinner and dancing at the Fairmont Chicago (200 N. Columbus Dr.) to celebrate Chaves's twenty inspiring years with the company. For tickets and more information please call Paula Petrini-Lynch at 312.944.2888.

An internationally recognized choreographer, teacher, mentor and industry leader, Chaves has dedicated his life to the creation and advancement of contemporary jazz dance. His body of work and artistic vision has catapulted RNDC into one the country's most esteemed dance companies, thrilling audiences with its technical precision, emotive dancers, commanding choreography and versatile repertoire. In his 20 years, Frank has created 25 works for the company; curated a diverse repertoire with the world's most well-known and respected choreographers; began national and international touring for local companies all while mentoring generations of new dancers.

After touring to Colorado, North Carolina, New York, Oklahoma and Wyoming, RNDC comes home to perform at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts with a Street Beat Lecture Demonstration on March 14, 2013 and an evening repertoire performance on March 16, 2013. Full Programming TBD.

RNDC concludes the 2012-2013 Season at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University (ATRU) when combine forces with the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic (CJP) for "The Cuban Project" on April 13, 2013. Fulfilling a long-time dream, Chaves will premiere a major new work that explores the origins and evolution of Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean music. CJP Founder and Artistic Director Orbert Davis creates an original score that will marry Chaves's lyrical, contemporary aesthetic with the CJP's rich, multi-cultural musicality that bridge gaps in jazz and classical genres. This commissioned co-production between RNDC, CJP and ATRU will have its world-premiere on the Auditorium Stage for one-night only.