Photos: See Chicago’s top dancers defy gravity in athletic ‘Dance for Life’ showcase
Chicago’s 35th “Dance for Life” showcase was marked by numerous lifts, leaps and leg extensions at The Auditorium on Saturday.
But the dancers weren’t the only airborne stars of the night; an ethereal scarf and a billowing tarp also stood out during the production — thanks to the skill of the performers manipulating them, of course.
The celebration of the city’s diverse dance companies, performers and choreographers raised nearly $500,000 for the Chicago Dance Health Fund, which addresses healthcare needs that are only growing as many dancers remain underinsured. Take a look at some of the best gravity-defying moments from a night that featured performances from Joffrey Ballet, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Visceral Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street and more.
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater performers execute a highly technical number, “Beyond Mortal,” choreographed to Mozart. Describing the theme of the piece, dancer Mekeba Malik said, “Sometimes you have to go beyond yourself to achieve certain feats and attain greatness.”
Barry Brecheisen/For the Sun-Times
Bolstered by harnesses, performers in a Chicago Dance Artists piece soar above the stage in splits, flips and turns during “Red, White & Black.” Choreographed to “Some Nights” by F.U.N, the number was not only athletic but uplifting, as the dancers — who represented several local companies — wore shirts with messages of “hope,” “change” and “NOH8.”
Barry Brecheisen/For the Sun-Times
An ensemble of performers from multiple companies lifts Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Dominick Brown during “Renewed,” the “Dance for Life” finale piece choreographed by Randy Duncan. The number was a display of contemporary and African dance-inspired styles, technical precision and joy.
Barry Brecheisen/For the Sun-Times
Hyuma Kiyosawa and Yumi Kanazawa perform a graceful duet from Robert Joffrey’s “Postcards” ballet. Choreographed to music by Erik Satie, the piece has been described as a “walk in Paris.”
Barry Brecheisen/For the Sun-Times
Jonathan Doyle wows the crowd with a leg extension as he and Dylan Gutierrez reprise “The Man That Got Away,” a number performed at the first-ever “Dance for Life” showcase more than three decades ago.
Barry Brecheisen/For the Sun-Times
Amari Frazier lifts Morgan Clune during “Cloudline (excerpt)” by Robyn Mineko Williams and Artists. But it was the ensemble’s skill of manipulating and dancing with a billowing tarp that made for a truly unique performance.
Barry Brecheisen/For the Sun-Times
Chicago Dance Crash artists Logan “L2K” Howell (left) and NeroTheProfessor perform “Loud,” a high-energy showcase of street dance styles to DJ B-Gram P’s soundtrack of gospel, hip-hop, blues and R&B.
Barry Brecheisen/For the Sun-Times
While much of the Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater’s performance of “Antecesores/Ancestors (Flamenco Style)” is grounded in rhythmic footwork, Abigail Mosquera’s scarf flies above the stage like an ethereal specter.
Barry Brecheisen/For the Sun-Times
Celebrated choreographer and “Dance for Life” veteran Randy Duncan stands onstage following the world premiere of “Renewed,” which closed out the show.
Barry Brecheisen/For the Sun-Times
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