Dance Center celebrating its 45 years

CHICAGO: The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago is celebrating 45 years of diverse international, national and regional contemporary dance with its 2018-19 season. All performances take place at the Dance Center, Chicago.

During its 45-year history, the Dance Center has showcased companies of regional, national and international significance and commissioned provocative works that move the art form forward. Integral to the visiting artist residencies are opportunities for Columbia students to learn from world-renowned professionals, who also interact with Chicago Public School students and community organizations. In addition, the Dance Center offers Chicago companies an affordable rental facility with aesthetic and technical specifications particularly suited to dance.

True to its legacy, the Dance Center showcases a variety of contemporary dance genres and influences this season, including street and social dance, abstract creations, cultural collaboration, multidisciplinary work and stories reflecting society and personal identity.

On March 16, 2019, the Dance Center presents a 45th Anniversary Celebration hosted by alumnus Matthew Hollis (aka Mattrick Swayze) and showcasing work by Dance Center alumni, current students and other special guests.

Discussions with the artists follow most Thursday performances, and some programs feature pre-performance talks with artists and Dance Center personnel or guest lecturers. All out-of-town artists provide learning opportunities for Dance Center students and conduct community-based residency and educational activities, which might include master classes, lecture/demonstrations, in-school and community-based workshops, professional development workshops for educators and service providers and panel discussions.

Subscriptions are now available online, and single tickets go on sale July 1 at the Dance Center box office, by phone at 312-369-8330 and online at the Dance Center’s revamped website, dance.colum.edu.

Surendra Ullal