Dance Chicago festival

It’s that season again: The weather’s cooling down, leaves are falling, and hundreds of dancers are taking shelter in the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave, for the 13th year in a row. They burst onstage in groups, exhibiting a dazzling array of choreographic variables. The ceremonies get under way Friday 2 and continue throughout November, concluding December 3. Many of the exact lineups are selected as the festival goes along; for the latest info, visit dancechicago.com.

SO HAPPY Dance Chiara Caruthers is psyched for this year’s big fest.

Photo: Marc Hauser

Friday 2
Opening Weekend 8pm. The festival puts its best foot forward. This program features high-profile, popular companies such as River North Dance Chicago, more edgy groups like Lucky Plush Productions, visitors Istanbul Dance Theatre, and a smattering of local color in the form of Irish dance, hip-hop and live music. If you’d like to take part in a gala reception before the show at 6:30pm tonight, the opportunity is yours with purchase of a special $100 ticket. The program repeats Sat 3 at 8pm and Sun 4 at 3pm.

Saturday 3
Dance for Kids, Too! 2pm. This child-friendly Saturday matinee is a great alternative to an afternoon at the movies with Underdog or the Bratz. The Rope Warrior, a guy who does cool things with rope spinning and twirling, is the featured performer in this collection of short, high-energy dances of all kinds. The program repeats on Sat 10 and Nov 17.

Opening Weekend 8pm. See Fri 2.

Sunday 4
Opening Weekend 3pm. See Fri 2.

Wednesday 7
* Extended Views: Jon Lehrer and Dmitri Peskov 7:30pm. The “extended view” idea is new this year, giving you a more substantial taste of an artist or genre. Peskov, a Moscow native who teaches at Beloit College, is fond of emotionally intense minidramas while Lehrer, a longtime associate of the Giordano jazz-dance family, enjoys fanciful whimsy. Both men will use the occasion to debut their new troupes.

November 8
New Moves A 7:30pm. The first of a triad of shows shows unveiling  brand new choreography. A $40 three-show pass is a pretty good deal if you want a comprehensive survey of what trends are evident in local dance this season. New Moves B is tomorrow, see “C” on November 15.

November 9
New Moves B 8pm. See Nov 8.

November 10
Dance for Kids, Too! 2pm. See Sat 3.

International Rhythms 8pm. Enjoy a dance version of Disney’s “small world,” as many of the area’s best ethnic troupes show their stuff. The program repeats Nov 11 at 3pm.

November 11
International Rhythms 3pm. See Nov 10.

November 13
Dance Slam A 7:30pm. These long evenings of up to 20 dances that are five minutes or less have become a hallmark of the Dance Chicago festival. It’s an interesting place to check out high-school dance clubs, up-and-comers on the scene and brave indie choreographers who are new to town. The audience votes for its faves, and the winners have a showdown on Nov 28. See below.

November 14
* Extended Views: Viola Elkins 7:30pm. Elkins teaches hip-hop classes around the city, runs the performing group Culture Shock Chicago and has danced backup for R. Kelly. Drawing on her extensive network, Elkins puts together a showcase featuring the city’s top B-boys and B-girls.

November 15
New Moves C 7:30pm. See Nov 8.

November 16
Stars of Dance Chicago 8pm. The Dance Chicago outfit wishes to extend its reach around the world—and why not? Drawing from the huge repertory of dances and dancers that graced past festivals, director John Schmitz and his associates put together a touring company that will go abroad in the coming year. Want to know more? See this show. The program repeats Nov 18 at 3pm.

November 17
Dance for Kids, Too! 2pm. See Sat 3.

Best Moves 8pm. The festival organizers reserved this evening for a few select pieces that have caught their eye over the past two weeks. There’s another Best Moves on Nov 30.

November 18
Stars of Dance Chicago 3pm. See Nov 16.

November 20
Dance Slam B 7:30pm. See Nov 13.

November 23
Jazz Fusion 8pm. Chicago used to be quite the jazz-dance mecca with the Evanston-based Giordano company and the Lou Conte–era Hubbard Street. Although Giordano’s rep has gotten more eclectic and Hubbard has evolved, other troupes still carry the torch. The program repeats on Nov 24 at 8pm and Nov 25 at 3pm.

November 24
Holiday Kids Show 2pm. Can’t sit through a whole Nutcracker? Maybe a series of quick holiday numbers is more your style. Kids get in for $5, adults pay $15. This matinee repeats Dec 1.

Jazz Fusion 8pm. See Nov 23.

November 25
Jazz Fusion 3pm. See Nov 23.

November 27
Dance Slam C 7:30pm. See Nov 13.

November 28
Dance Slam—Audience Choices 7:30pm. See Nov 13.

November 29
Anything Goes: The Ann Barzel Entertainment Award Show 7:30pm. Enjoy this vaudeville-style tribute to the beloved late dance critic Ann Barzel. Members of Hubbard Street, Joffrey Ballet, River North and Trinity Irish Dance Company perform, and awards are given for outstanding efforts during this year’s festival.

November 30
Best Moves 8pm. See Nov 17.

December 1
Holiday Kids Show 2pm. See Nov 24.
Grand Finale! 8pm. The flashiest, most impressive dances from the month of performances are selected for one last burst before it all quiets down—until next year. This program repeats Dec 2 at 3 and 7pm.

December 2
Grand Finale! 3 , 7pm. See Dec 1.