First, tomorrow is the last day you can register for the Dance/USA conference held here next week July 13 – 16. 5-6-7-8! Register here.

Second, Time Out Chicago‘s Zac Whittenburg has a great update on the Joffrey lock out with comments from the union rep!  Good stuff.

So far, none of the Joffrey dancers I’ve reached out to are speaking publicly, but I have it on good authority that they are diligently trying to work it out.  Fingers and toes are crossed that they get things worked out quickly and the dancers can get back to work on July 23rd.

Prominent members of Chicago’s dance scene are excited about Dance/USA‘s national conference (more here) coming in July!

What does it mean for Chicago to be hosting the national conference this summer?

Any national attention the city’s dance scene gets can only be beneficial.  I think Chicago has its own style of concert work and deserves a national presence.  Plus, Chicago is great in the summer time.  The conference can share in the major transition the city is experiencing as our new Mayor Rahm Emanuel takes over.  The man calls himself a former dancer — great timing!  ~Venetia Stifler, Artistic Director Concert Dance Inc, Executive/Artistic Director Ruth Page Foundation

Having the Dance/USA national conference in Chicago brings visibility to the city’s dance scene.  Chicago’s dance community continues to grow and flourish and that activity has been recognized.  People not ordinarily predisposed to watching dance, or even having knowledge about the enormous amount of dance activity in Chicago will hopefully become more aware.  ~Michelle Kranicke, Artistic Director Zephyr Dance

We have such a vibrant dance community in Chicago.  There are  a number of larger companies plus the many, many smaller companies and individual artists that are putting forth interesting work along with community outreach and educational programming.  I don’t think people realize how much is going on.  And, with our new Mayor being an arts advocate with a history in dance, it’s serendipitous that the conference is in Chicago this year.  It’s time for everyone to see what a world-class dance destination we are.  ~Glenn Edgerton, Artistic Director Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

It is a recognition of Chicago’s contribution and importance to the art form as seen through the level of activity and practice found here and the quality of work being performed.  ~Shirley Mordine, Artistic Director Mordine & Co, Founder Dance Center at Columbia College

Chicago is very lucky to have this opportunity to host Dance/USA.  It will bring even more national attention to our thriving dance scene.  ~Jay Franke, Co-Founder Chicago Dancing Festival

I think the Chicago dance community has been growing for the last ten years.  We’ve really become a destination for dance, dance audiences, choreographers and dancers.  Dance/USA conference proves how much of a dance city we’ve become.  It’s proof of how fabulous we are and it will give us another push in that direction.  I feel like we are the second city of dance in the U.S.  We’re not as big as New York, but we’re definitely second in terms of number of people producing work and number of dancers living here.  ~Winifred Haun, Artistic Director Winifred Haun & Dancers

Chicago’s dance community is very strong and receives enthusiastic support from audiences all over the city.  It is an important opportunity to showcase the professional companies in Chicago and bring light to this thriving dance community.  ~Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, Artistic Director Luna Negra Dance Theater

For many years, the Dance/USA national conference has been held on the East Coast.  Bringing Dance/USA to Chicago this year is a recognition of the fact that significant dance companies are now found across the country and that Chicago has become a vibrant center for dance in America.  ~Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director Joffrey Ballet

Anyone who’s read me recently can attest to my excitement about Dance/USA’s annual conference being held in Chicago this year.  It comes on the heels of a spring season which saw companies of all sizes taking risks and reaching out to new audiences, and seeing those initiatives pay off.  Recently announced plans for the 2011-2012 season put Dance/USA’s Chicago conference at the head of a banner year for dance in the city.  Attendees from around the country will see firsthand where those performances will take place and meet many of the people who have brought them to fruition.  ~Zachary Whittenburg, Dance Editor Time Out Chicago

1. They showed works-in-progress, so can’t critique.
2. The HSDC and HS2 dancers show just as much talent as choreographers as they do as dancers.
3. It was lovely to see Benjamin Wardell dancing. I previously wrote that the Summer Series was his last performance. Whoops!
4. Taryn Kaschock Russell – girl, you still got it!
5. It was the farewell performance for Laura Halm who is leaving to go to law school. Beautiful dancer!
6. Congrats to Glenn & Co…again.

In case you haven’t heard, Dance/USA (the national service organization for professional dance) is holding its annual conference in Chicago July 13th through 16th.  This 2011 convening is anticipated to be the orgs biggest gathering yet of artistic directors, presenters, executive directors, company managers, artists, choreographers, marketing gurus, development divas and (thanks to a one-day scholarship – thank you!) even a little blogger like me.  The jam-packed schedule — here — includes receptions, roundtable discussions, plenary speakers, multiple break out sessions (management, artistry, audience engagement and technology), city tours and a number of performances at some of the city’s best dance venues.

Design it.  Dance it.  Be the Architect of your future.  With so many choices during the conference, you can design your own conference experience and attend those sessions that speak most to you.  I’m excited about the Technology – Next Generation Video Production:  Myths, Challenges, Opportunities session with TenduTV‘s Marc Kircschner, HMS Media‘s Scott Silberstein and TimeOut Chicago‘s dance editor Zac Whittenburg among others.  And of course the performances!  There are way too many outstanding artists performing to mention, so check out the line ups here.  Check out the e-journal for interesting essays by a diverse range of writers and speakers.

This is a perfect opportunity to gather with like-minded artistic folk and mingle, learn, engage and network!  Let’s show what a great dance city Chicago is by having a large community presence at the conference.

UPDATE:  Registration ends July 8th!

Tickets are still available for Hubbard Street‘s Inside/Out performance at the Modern Wing’s Griffin Court tomorrow at 6 pm.
877.307.4242

Chicago Tap Theatre presents TAP!(ISH) — cute name! — at the Athenaeum Theatre main stage Saturday, June 25th at 8pm.
800.982.2787, ticketmaster.com

Northwestern University is hosting a roundtable discussion Black Theatre is Black Life: Theatre and Dance in Chicago on Saturday, June 25th from 930am to 530pm at the John Evans Alumni Center, Evanston.

Jump Rhythm Jazz Project in concert at the Josephine Louis Center in Evanston, Saturday, June 25th at 8pm and Sunday, June 26th at 2pm.

Also, Happy Pride!

A great read from the Trib! Thoughts on the arts during Mayor Emanuel‘s first term from some of the city’s cultural leaders.

Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre
New Works
June 18th at 6 – 9pm
Hubbard Street Dance Center
1147 W Jackson
312.243.9310

The Moving Architects
PLUCK
June 17, 18 at 8pm & June 19 at 6pm
The Drucker Center
1535 N. Dayton
773.664.4631

Dansz Loop Chicago
The Escapes
June 17, 18 at 8pm & June 19 at 2pm
Stage 773
1225 W. Belmont
773.327.5252

Women’s Choreographic Voices w/ CCBDance Project
Women’s Work
June 17 at 7pm
Praxis Place
1474 N. Milwaukee
310.562.2435

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Inside/Out
June 17, 18 at 8pm
UIC Theater
1044 W. Harrison
312.850.9744

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been named Honorary Chairman of the Joffrey Ballet Board of Directors. Cool!

It’s a boy!

RB has been keeping busy this month (although you wouldn’t know it by the lack of posts) and there are tons of things coming up to get excited about.  This morning I attended a Dance Community Convening held by Audience Architects at Joffrey Tower.  It was so nice to meet so many artists, administrators and advocates from the Chicago dance world.  AA’s web sites are a great source of information if you want to see or take dance in the city:  SeeChicagoDance.com and TakeChicagoDance.com.  Also, check out their new YouTube page!

Coming up in July is Dance/USA‘s national conference to be held at McCormick Place.  You can still sign up for the three-day event and a chance to network, take in lecture sessions and see the performances featuring a variety of Chicago dancers and companies.  Look for an upcoming interview with Dance/USA Board member and DanceWorks co-founder and Artistic Director Julie Nakagawa.

August is jam-packed with dance too.  The 20th is the 20th anniversary of Dance For Life and they are celebrating not only with a new venue, the Auditorium Theatre, but with a documentary to be aired on WTTW (on August 11th at 10:00 pm) by the award-winning HMS Media.  The following week is the 5th anniversary for the Chicago Dancing Festival.  They’ve expanded this year to five nights of FREE (yes FREE!) performances at the Harris Theater, MCA, Auditorium Theatre with the final performance outside at the Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park.  Read more about the festival here and keep on the look out for upcoming posts with some of the dancers involved.

Later in the fall, check back for an interview with a legendary dance figure that I had the great luck to land.  Unfortunately, I can’t say who (boo!) and I can’t post it until the article runs in another publication.  But, just wait! *If you want to guess or already know, please keep it to yourself, I don’t want to get into trouble.

Giselle in the cone of shame 🙁

On a personal note, I’ve been busy taking care of my dog Giselle, who had knee surgery late last week due to a torn ACL (like mother like daughter). After a ruff (get it?) weekend, she’s feeling better and will no doubt be difficult to keep immobile for the next 6 weeks of recovery time. Hopefully by the end of summer, she’ll be chugging along like a good little wili.

That’s it folks!  I’m looking forward to a summer packed with great dance, meeting new friends and exciting conversation about the community.