Dance for Life, Chicago’s annual blowout dance extravaganza, was conceived by Chicago Dancers United (CDU) nearly three decades ago in the wake of another frightful contagion. Much more specific in its impact, the AIDs epidemic could be considered even more devastating than our current crisis because its diagnosis, before the development of any viable treatment, was inevitably a death sentence. Its toll in the arts community, whose health care options were often meager or non-existent, was massive.
When it created The Dancers’ Fund along with Dance for Life in 1992, CDU established a monetary channel to help defray AIDS related medical expenses of dance professionals. Since then, its care spectrum has widened and CDU now considers applications for any “critical health concern”. The fund is open to anyone involved as a professional in the production of dance; independent as well as company dancers, choreographers, instructors, rehearsal musicians and administrative staff. Over $6 million have been raised and distributed to two dozen AIDS prevention, treatment and advocacy organizations as well as The Dancers’ Fund.
On the run-up to their 29th fundraising showpiece August 10 – 15, Dance for Life 2020: United As One; CDU board member and Dance for Life finale choreographer, Randy Duncan, shared some insights on what to expect from this year’s digitized installment of the dance festival.
Mimicking the always highly anticipated live annual show presented at the Auditorium, the scale of the virtual performance will still be broad with 13 different dance companies presenting 16 works. The perspective however will be “historical” according to Mr. Duncan and the handiwork of Program Committee head, Michael Anderson.
Established Chicago mainstays of professional dance will be represented by works that exemplify their individual contributions to the texture of dance in the city. Reaching not too far back in time, Giordano Dance Chicago’s dynamism will be showcased in Tossed Around; a piece they featured in Dance for Life’s 2018 show. Also from that show, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s The 40s gets reprised to give audiences a new taste of choreographer Lou Conte’s genial, look back and smile, ensemble piece. A deeper dive into the archive will allow this year’s Dance for Life virtual attendees to once again see Djon Don Wolosodon, a work Muntu Dance Theater last featured at the Dance for Life performance in 1995.
Seeing your work featured in a Dance for Life experience constitutes a notable achievement for local dance companies and CDU board members and event organizers view anywhere between 30 and 50 videotaped submissions every year for consideration. Dance quality and conception are always important when determining the merit of any company. However, when mounting a show as encompassing as Dance for Life, Duncan noted other factors of central importance when making selections. Length and accessibility must also be factored in to insure the overall performance retains an engaging flow and the show’s entertainment quotient is sustained.
Its smorgasbord of style and type will always be one of Dance for Life’s most relished attributes. Seeing the Joffrey Ballet’s display of classically trained precision offset by Chicago Dance Crash’s electric freedom or Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater’s sleek elegance, together sharing the same venue, keeps Chicagoans enthralled with this yearly celebration. And, as Mr. Duncan added, the virtual experience provides an opportunity. Now dance lovers around the world will have the chance to share in an annual feast of dance Chicago has been enjoying for years.
Hanna Brictson, who’s been seeing her star rising as a young and gifted choreographer, premieres a piece addressing our current Covid existence on August 15th.
Donations of $20 or more gains access to everything included in the 5-day dance spectacle. For details, visit https://chicagodancersunited.org/.
Dance for Life 2020 : United As One
August 10 – 15, 2020