Deeply Rooted Dance Theater ( DRDT )which diversifies the aesthetics of contemporary dance by uniting modern, classical, U.S. and African-American traditions in dance and storytellingannounced initial plans for "Deeply 25: Beyond Dance," a celebration of the company's 25th anniversary season including local, national and international events.
The season will launch Saturday, Oct. 17, 7-8:30 p.m., with "Deeply 25: Beyond Dance...The Celebration Begins," a virtual fundraiser. The event will feature a reflective, cinematic history of DRDT, with video highlights of company performances and interviews that illuminate the company's founding and inspiration, its evolution to the present and its plans for the future under new artistic leadership. Tickets for the full eveningwhich includes the opportunity to interact with DRDT's Artistic Team in a Continuum dialogue following the filmare $150 each; general admission is $25.
Prior to the fundraiser, DRDT will be in several events with important presenters. The 22nd annual JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experiencean annual festival in Chicago's sister city, Durban, South Africawill run through Sunday, Sept. 6. DRDT's performances will be available on the JOMBA! website ( jomba.ukzn.ac.za ) on Wed., Aug. 26, at noon CDT and Thursday, Aug. 27, at 5 a.m. CDT.
The Chicago Park District's "Night Out in the Parks" has shifted this year to "Your Night Out at Home," featuring select works from Night Out artists from across Chicago. DRDT is scheduled to participate during the week of Sept. 7 with excerpts of Essence, choreographed by guest choreographer Martial Roumain; and Heaven, which Kevin Iega Jeff and Gary Abbott are choreographing. More information will be available at chicagoparkdistrict.com/night-out-at-home.
See DeeplyRootedDanceTheater.org. All programming is subject to change.