If you recall our PRE-View of Hyde Park School of Dance's Amira: A Chicago Cinderella Story, then you may remember HPSD Artistic Director August Tye mention that the Prince's journey to find his princess, Amira, leads him on a search through some iconic neighborhoods on Chicago's south side. The dancers' balletic movement and gestures are the main vein for storytelling, but what completes this scenic journey are the projections and illustrations Tye has created in collaboration with photographer Damien Thompson and illustrator Sara Petrolis. DancerMusic got an exclusive sneak peek at the images to be used in Amira, and asked Damien Thompson to tell us more about the process of creating these powerful images and what role they play in bringing Amira to life. Take a journey through Chicago's south side as you learn what Damien told us:
As a child, you may have often dreamed of yourself as a prince or princess in your favorite story. But as we age and discover the truth about the world around us, we begin to see the cracks in our beloved tales. We learn that those portrayed as evil may not have been so bad after all, and what we once thought to be the truth is merely a representation of what someone wants the truth to be. Now that we're adults, how do we change these stories to reflect our reality, while still maintaining the magic they gave us as children? August Tye, Founding Artistic Director of Hyde Park School of Dance, has the answer. August, her artistic team, and a cast of over a hundred dancers are getting ready to share this revelation in their production of Amira: A Chicago Cinderella Story at the Reva and David Logan Center in Hyde Park. DancerMusic Dance Editor Kristi Licera caught up with August to learn more about this massive undertaking. Here's what August told us:
Picture in your mind a dancer who you love to see perform. Now, imagine that dancer... in drag! If you're having trouble picturing this, then grab a ticket to Dance Divas 2018, where male dancers from some of Chicago's most recognized professional dance companies take on a fabulous, new persona for an even more fabulous cause. Dance Divas is the kickoff event to Dance for Life 2018, an event that Chicago Dancers' United describes as the "annual benefit performance that showcases the city’s unique diversity of talent, dance traditions, and styles." Both events directly benefit The Dancers' Fund, which supports dancers in the local community affected with critical health issues. DancerMusic's Kristi Licera caught up with one of the choreographers and original Dance Diva, Harrison McEldowney, to learn more about Dance Divas 2018. Here's what Harrison told us:
It's time to introduce a new princess into the world. She cannot shoot icicles out of her fingers nor is she as famed as Sleeping Beauty, but one thing will be certain the moment you meet her: you will feel like you have already met. It may be because this new character is a fresh iteration of a princess we already know and love, Cinderella. But the more likely cause of your familiarity is that this princess, like so many of us in the city of Chicago and in our country, is an immigrant. In this day and age, we
First impressions are important . There's no denying it, especially when you are debuting a brand new dance company in a city that has an abundance of them. There are many ways to make a great first impression, but often, the best way to do so is to stay true to who you are and to step into the light with a kind and open heart. This is exactly what Founder and Artistic Director of South Chicago Dance Theatre, Kia Smith did. This past May, Smith curated SCDT's first evening-length performance at University of Chicago's Mandel Hall. What may not
Trifecta Dance Collective's upcoming production Solstice features the premiere of "In.grained" - a special collaborative piece inspired by five senior women from the Glenview area. The tales of these women create the context for the choreographic vision of Co-Artistic Directors Krissie Odegard-Geye and Carrie Patterson, and includes the muses on stage as part of the performance. In addition, the performance features two other Chicago-based dance companies - Nomi Dance Chicago and Valerie Alpert Dance Company - truly making this an event that includes and invites a sense of community. DancerMusic's Kristi Licera caught up with TDC's Co-Artistic Director Carrie Patterson to learn more about Solstice. Here's what Carrie told us:
Some of mankind’s greatest discoveries were accidental. If it weren’t for these happy accidents, we would be missing everyday items such as super glue and (god forbid, especially if you’re a college student) the microwave. But we should also remember that accidents can pave the way for artists, including the dancers at Simantikos Dance Chicago. Founder and Artistic Director Haley McElwee did not start with the intention of creating a dance company, but in the three years since its founding, the company has experienced growth that has taken them from area rug-sized performance spaces to artistic collaborations in Italy. DancerMusic’s Kristi Licera recently caught up with Haley to get a peek into Simantikos’ upcoming performance at. Here’s what Haley told us:
Five thousand miles is a long way to be from home. When you're this far away, especially for years at a time, you may find yourself searching for that something that will always keep you connected. For dance artist Riccardo Battaglia, that something comes from within. It is an undeniable light and joy - a warmth forever fueled by the sunshine he carries with him from his home in Italy. Since making the solo move from Pescara, Italy to New York City just over seven years ago, Riccardo's career has blossomed in tandem with his incredible talent. And if the height
Ashley Deran founded A. Deran Photography in 2011 with a focus on dance concert events and dance publicity. Since then, she has photographed for companies including Chicago Dance Crash, The Seldoms, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Inaside Chicago Dance, Chicago Dance History Project, Salty Lark Dance Company, The Chicago Fringe Festival, Columbia College, and Western Michigan University. It is also worth mentioning that Ashley is an established dance artist in Chicago and is the Co-Director of Project Bound Dance. Her keen eye both inside the studio and behind the camera lens, as well as the ability to direct a dancer in both circumstances, produce sharp, expressive images that any dancer would love to have. In this 4PHOTOS, Ashley takes us through the four images that every dancer should have in their portfolio, plus the do's and don'ts on how to get them. Here's a pro's advice on how to put your best foot (and face) forward:
Some of the best pieces of dance choreography are those that successfully use movement to paint a living visualization of the accompanying sound design. The nature of these choreographic works highlight the sound in a way that can allow an audience to experience a familiar piece of music with fresh ears. Now, imagine having the same relationship between a dance work and a painting, where each reveals something new about the other. For Still Inspired(?) Executive Director Laura Thurston, imagining is not necessary - she's already curated and staged four seasons of Still Inspired(?), which pairs a Chicago-based visual artist with up-and-coming choreographers from the community.DancerMusic's Kristi Licera caught up with Laura while she prepares for Still Inspired(?): Live Creations, which features live drawing inspired by live music and dance improvisation. Read on to see how the collaborative efforts of Still Inspired(?) have created a circle of inspiration, as well as what Laura is up to to expand it: