Chicago Human Rhythm Project's 20th-anniversary program, Global Rhythms, is nothing if not inclusive. This fall's special guest, Step Afrika!, makes its Chicago debut with a sweeping look at African and African-American forms, from Zulu dances and the gumboot style that originated with South African gold miners to stepping and hip-hop. In what promises to be an avalanche of clapping, slapping, and stomping, the D.C.-based troupe will be joined by CHRP's resident ensemble, BAM!, and scholarship students from CHRP's Rhythm World summer festival in a stepping piece for 29. The South Shore Drill Team, celebrating its 30th anniversary, performs each night. And young performers from the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance show off their take on percussive dance on Saturday. CHRP director Lane Alexander is even including a group he overheard practicing in the parking lot outside his office: eight- and nine-year-olds from Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts, led by their stepping instructor, Victor Hicks. They take the stage on Friday.
Title of event: The Great Russian Nutcracker Date of event: Sunday, December 13, 2009 Time of event: 3 p.m. Location: Rosemont Theatre, 5400 North River Road, Rosemont, IL Experience the magic of the holiday season as dancers from the Moscow Ballet are joined onstage by 40 children from Chicago's SPACE arts conservatory. Featuring timeless music and elegant classical ballet, this holiday classic is sure to delight young and old. Tickets are $25.50 - $85.50 and are available through Ticketmaster.
More than 140 teen and child dancers perform in the 11th annual production of Tchaikovsky's classic Christmas ballet as choreographed by Hyde Park School of Ballet founder and Lyric Opera of Chicago ballet mistress August Tye. Tickets for 'The Nutcracker' are $7 for students and seniors and $17 for adults. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased by calling 773-493-8498.
An optional Sugar Plum Holiday Tea Party follows the Dec. 13 performance. Tickets cost $35; $20 for students.
Performing The Nutcracker. $11-$15
"Curiosity Blackbird and Beyond" features a solo performance by Shanahan and an excert from Stamina of Curiosity: Our Strange Elevations. Ticket price includes a DVD copy of Nadia Oussenko's dance film My Name Is a Blackbird. $20-$30
1 2 3 4 5 features works by choreographers Liz Burrit,Paige Cunningham, Ashleigh Leite, Joanna Rosenthal, and Eduardo Vilaro. $20, $15 in advance
The full-length Ruth Page Nutcracker ballet returns with choreography inspired by the experience and expertise of CBC’s founders. $35. 847-673-6300.
The Joffrey Ballet’s 2009-2010 season, titled Legends, continues with the 22nd Anniversary of Chicagoland’s most popular family holiday event, Robert Joffrey's The Nutcracker. Ashley C. Wheater’s The Joffrey Ballet presents America’s #1 Nutcracker at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 East Congress Parkway, Chicago, December 11-27, 2009.