Season announcements for the big venues have been trickling into my inbox, and this is actually the time to think about loading your dance calendar. Why? Tickets are cheap! Here are a few highlights you may want to consider for some #chidance next season:
The Auditorium Theatre celebrates 125 years next season, and with this big milestone comes a really big season. The presenting season features a few familiar faces like Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg, as well as the Chicago debut of Groupo Corpo and the return of American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Royal Ballet, and Tango Buenos Aires. Additionally, The Boeing Company is sponsoring a “Made in Chicago” series presenting Chicago companies, some of whom are rarely or never seen on the gorgeous (and, apparently very old) Sollitt Stage. On the list are Thodos Dance Chicago, Giordano Dance Chicago, River North Dance Chicago, and the Chicago Rhythm Fest (created by the Chicago Human Rhythm Project).
Of course, The Auditorium also plays host to the 2014-15 season of The Joffrey Ballet, who’s line-up includes a one-weekend-only engagement featuring George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son and Antony Tudor’s Lilac Garden in September, a new Swan Lake by Christopher Wheeldon, and contemporary and mixed rep series in the Spring.
The Harris Theater for Music and Dance will be filling a few promises from last season, including the Chicago premiere of Wendy Whelan’s Restless Creature (postponed while Whelan was recovering from injury) and Alonzo King LINES Ballet (bumped due to an electrical fire in the theater last February). The Harris’ 11th season will also see the Scottish Ballet and Beijing Dance Theater, both never before seen in Chicago, and, of course, a full line-up of musical offerings as well. In an effort to provide flexible and affordable tickets, the Harris is offering some super hot pricing through June 15th. The “Dance Flex Pass” is good for three performances starting at $36. So, yeah, math: That’s $12 per performance. At the Harris. Why haven’t you clicked yet?
Beijing Dance Theatre is being co-presented by the Dance Center of Columbia College, who has an impressive line-up of its own. Included in the 41st season are Philadephia’s excellent Ballet X, Rosy Simas, and Urban Bush Woman, along with Chicago companies Hedwig Dances and Chicago Dance Crash.
The Harris will also see the wonderful Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC), who’s upcoming season will include a more whimsical Hubbard in an exciting collaboration with The Second City, as well as programs by Crystal Pite and Resident Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo. HSDC’s winter engagement will change venues to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), featuring work by Princess Grace Awardees Kyle Abraham, Victor Quijada and Robyn Mineko Williams. The rest of the MCA’s season is due to be announced June 17.
—
Season subscriptions for The Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University for the International Dance Series start at $111 and are available online or by calling 312.341.2357. The Made in Chicago Series Tickets start at $80 for all four performances. Single tickets go on sale August 1.
Subscription packages for The Joffrey Ballet’s 2014-15 season start at $84 (excluding Nutcracker and the September engagement). All subscriptions are available online at joffrey.org and by phone at 312-386-8905. Single tickets are priced from $32 to $170, on sale now for the September engagement and August 1st for all other programs.
Harris Theater for Music and Dance season tickets are available online at HarrisTheaterChicago.org, by phone at 312.334.7777, or in person at the Box Office (205 E. Randolph Drive). Box Office hours are Monday through Friday, 12–6PM.
Subscriptions and single ticket sales for the Dance Center of Columbia College’s 41st season begin July 7 online at colum.edu/dancecenter, or by phone 312.369.8330.
Subscriptions for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s 37th Season are available online or by phone at 312-850-9744.