Mayor Rahm Emanuel has officially declared today – November 7, 2011 – to be Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra Day in Chicago! The couple receive this honor, along with the JUBA! Award at Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Jubalee Gala tonight for their long careers and leadership in the non-profit and arts communities. Chicago Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Michelle T. Boone, will be on site this evening to read the full proclamation.
Congratulations!
A JUBA! performance from Rhythm World.
Today – Monday, July 25, 2011 – marks the start of Chicago Human Rhythm Project‘s (CHRP) 21st annual Rhythm World, a two-week festival of American tap and contemporary percussive art. The festival offers performances, educational and community outreach programming, master classes, workshops, residencies and conferences. CHRP Founder and Artistic Director Lane Alexander leads the way with classes beginning today at the Fine Arts Building at 410 S. Michigan Avenue. Rhythm World 2011 features instructors and performers from Canada including Kim Chalovich, Heather Cornell, Travis Knights, Tasha Lawson, Lisa La Touche, Danny Nielson, Matt Shields and Everett Smith.
The intensive residencies brings in percussive powerhouses to teach: Bril Barrett of MADD Rhythms, Derick K. Grant of Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk (loved that show!) and Imagine Tap, Step Afrika! Artistic Director Jakari Sherman and Sam Weber, winner of the Bessie Award for outstanding creative achievement. In addition to the classes and workshops, CHRP honors tap community members Heather Cornell (Aug 4) and Randy Skinner (Aug 6) with the JUBA! Award for Lifetime Contribution to the Field. Congrats!
The first week of August has multiple performances at three separate venues. Monday, Aug 1, is the Jazz Showcase featuring Rhythm World faculty, students and jazz musicians at 8 pm (806 S. Plymouth Ct. – $10/door). Tuesday, Aug 2, has the faculty and students tapping at an informal showcase at the Harold Washington Library’s Cindy Pritzker Theater (400 S. State – $5 suggestion). The rest of the week’s performances (Aug 3, 4, 6) will be at the MCA Stage (220 E. Chicago). JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance shows off emerging “beat-niks” or artists in their 20s in Emerging Voices, Canadian performers (named above) in Spotlight on Canada as well as the best of the best from the local tap scene in Chicago Celebration. Tickets for JUBA! are $30 for the public. For more information: 312.397.4010 or mcachicago.org.
Jay Franke and Evin Eubanks address the crowd while Chicago Cabaret Project's Kyle Hustedt looks on. Photo by Vin Reed.
Last night the Chicago Dancing Festival (CDF) kicked off its summer season with a launch party 5 After 5 at Benchmark in Old Town. Dance enthusiasts, supporters, board member, artistic staff, bloggers, pr reps and dancers all gathered on the top floor of the swanky bar to mingle and toast the start of CDF events. Executive Director Evin Nicole Eubanks greeted guests at the door, while Co-Founder Jay Franke worked the crowd. Notable absent was Co-Founder Lar Lubovitch who is out of town with his company that is performing at Jacob’s Pillow through July 24th.
Kristi Burris and Jessica Chapuis show us how it's done! Photo by Vin Reed.
After sipping cocktails — Bean and Body even crafted a signature Cinq cocktail for the event – emcee Kyle Hustedt from the Chicago Cabaret Project opened with a rousing and humorous rendition of Wilkommen from what else…Cabaret! After “wilkommening” the crowd, Hustedt introduced the first of three dance performances of the evening. Chicago Human Rhythm Project‘s Kristi Burris and Jessica Chapuis delivered (I really want to say good, old-fashioned) tap-off with each taking syncopated turns on their wooden stages. Fun!
Amber Jackson and Louis Jackson perform at CDF's "5 After 5". Photo by Vin Reed.
After a short pause, DanceWorks Chicago dancers Amber Jackson and Louis James Jackson (no, they aren’t related) literally exploded out of the crowd with a sassy piece “Beat in the Box” choreographed by Brian Eno. I found out later that this was the last performance with DWC for these two beautiful dancers. Louis is heading out as a performer on a cruise ship and Amber is looking for a job as a school teacher. Best of luck to both!
Moníca Cervantes and Eduardo Zuñiga of Luna Negra getting close. Photo by Vin Reed.
Luna Negra dancers Moníca Cervantes and Eduardo Zuñiga later wowed the crowd with a flirty duet created by Artistic Director Gustavo Ramírez Sansano for the event. After the performances, more mingling ensued. I got to meet some of my fellow CDF bloggers (click the icon at the top right of this page for more info) in the festival blogger intiative: Scott Silberstein, Miguel Cano, Araceli Arroyo as well as Astek Consulting rep Rachel Yeomans and catch up with Silverman Group gurus Beth Silverman and Eric Eatherly. I especially enjoyed hanging with visual artists Sasha Fornari and Vin Reed.
It was a fun evening and great way to start the CDF festivities!