Ten 2016–17 dates set for DanceChance

DanceWorks Chicago’s monthly program at Lou Conte Dance Studio in the Hubbard Street Dance CenterBeginning Friday, September 30, 2016, DanceWorks Chicago’s monthly program DanceChance returns to the Lou Conte Dance Studio in the Hubbard Street Dance Center, located at 1147 West Jackson Boulevard in Chicago’s West Loop. Since its inception in March 2008, DanceChance has encouraged dialogues between artists and audiences, across 85 events to date, featuring the work of more than 200 Chicago-based choreographers.

 

Repeating the last Friday of each month from 7–8 pm (except in November, December and August), each one-hour DanceChance showcases three 15-minute pieces by local choreographers, followed by discussion and audience response, led by a guest moderator. At the conclusion of each event, the next month’s three choreographers are chosen randomly from names submitted by choreographers in attendance. There are no fees or prerequisites to enter the drawings.

 

The complete 2016–17 DanceChance schedule is as follows: September 30, 2016; October 28, 2016; December 2, 2016; January 27, 2017; February 24, 2017; March 31, 2017; April 28, 2017; May 26, 2017; June 30, 2017; and July 28, 2017.

 

“DanceChance welcomes dancemakers, dance-lovers and the dance-curious to join us as we encourage, share and discuss new work by local choreographers,” says Julie Nakagawa, artistic director of DanceWorks Chicago.

 

Lou Conte Dance Studio Director Claire Bataille says, “The Lou Conte Dance Studio is very proud of its partnership with DanceWorks Chicago, and of the number of young artists who have had the opportunity to create and present new work in our studios since we began hosting these events together in January 2014.”

 

Presenting new work at the first DanceChance program for 2016–17, on Friday, September 30 at 7 pm, will be Radia Ali, Zoe Rose Hamilton and Candace Lee.

 

Admission to DanceChance is always just $3 cash, to which attendees are welcome to add a donation. Attendees’ names are also placed in a raffle for prizes, including tickets to upcoming dance performances in Chicago. These drawings on September 30 will include tickets to Giordano Dance Chicago at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Philadanco at Northeastern Illinois University, and Ballet 5:8 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, as well as a 10-class card valid throughout the Fall Session at the Lou Conte Dance Studio.

 

“I think the most valuable thing I took away [from DanceChance] was really that dialogue makes dance less intimidating, and sparks even more conversation, which is really what art should do,” says a participating choreographer. “DanceChance is such as gem. I hope it keeps going for a long time.”

 

Photo: Teresa Marsala performs original work by Erika Choe at the Hubbard Street Dance Center as part of DanceWorks Chicago and the Lou Conte Dance Studio’s monthly choreography showcase DanceChance on June 24, 2016.