Hubbard Street Dance 30th Anniversary Season

The third annual Fall Series expands to two weeks, featuring two distinct programs showcasing a “who’s who” among the world’s leading contemporary choreographers. Program A (September 26–30) includes the revival of Baker’s Dozen by Twyla Tharp (1979; HSDC premiere 1991), which is set to solo piano by Willie “The Lion” Smith and is being restaged by veteran HSDC dancer Ron De Jesus; Nacho Duato’s Cor Perdut (1992; HSDC premiere 2003), created for and sung by Maria Del Mar Bonet to a score featuring Tunisian percussion instruments; Daniel Ezralow’s SF/LB (created for HSDC in 2004) to Leonard Bernstein; Kiss by Susan Marshall (1987; HSDC premiere 2004), to Arvo Pärt; and Jim Vincent’s Palladio (created for HSDC in 2007), to Karl Jenkins. Program B (October 3–7) includes a world premiere by HSDC dancer Brian Enos, his third for the organization (Diphthong in 2004 for the main company, Whip and Hallaig for Hubbard Street 2 in 2001 and 2006, respectively); Ohad Naharin’s duet Passomezzo (1989; HSDC premiere 2001) to traditional music from The Beggar’s Opera arranged by Jeremy Barlow; Duato’s Rassemblement (1990; HSDC premiere 1999) to music by Toto Bissainthe; and Jirí Kylián’s Sechs Tänze (1986; HSDC premiere 1998), to Mozart. The revival of Baker’s Dozen is underwritten by a generous grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Brian Enos’s new work is commissioned by the Schaeffer Auditorium of Kutztown University and the Hancher Auditorium of the University of Iowa. HSDC’s original productions of Cor Perdut and Kiss were underwritten by Karen and Peter Lennon. SF/LB is exclusively underwritten by Meg and Tim Callahan. Palladio was underwritten by Meg and Tim Callahan and Karen and Peter Lennon.

HSDC’s 30th Anniversary Season kicks off with an event on Wednesday, September 26, followed by the opening night performance of the 2007 Fall Series at the Harris Theater; more details will be available later this summer. The opening night event is sponsored by LaSalle Bank.

HSDC’s 2008 Spring Series March 26–April 5 at the Harris also features two programs, including a world premiere by HSDC dancer Alejandro Cerrudo, set to music by Philip Glass, his second for the company after Lickety-Split (2006); a world premiere by Artistic Associate Lucas Crandall, his third for the company (after Atelier in 2003 and Gimme in 2005); a company premiere by American choreographer Doug Varone; and several other premieres and returning works, to be announced later this year. Alejandro Cerrudo’s new work is commissioned by The Joyce Theater.

Both the Fall and Spring Series at the Harris Theater include specially priced Family Matinees by Hubbard Street 2 (HS2) (Saturday, September 29 and Saturday, April 5). Each program features works from HS2’s repertoire, chosen especially for children ages five and older and their families, and a chance to interact with the dancers. Athletico, an official provider of rehabilitation, fitness and performance to HSDC, HS2 and the Lou Conte Dance Studio (LCDS), is the 2006–07 Donor Room Season Sponsor.
In fall 2007, following a domestic tour to Iowa, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Michigan and South Carolina, HSDC will make its Russian debut at the Moscow International Contemporary Dance Festival DANCEINVERSION in November.

HSDC will celebrate its fifth anniversary of collaborating with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) with a one-night-only performance January 11, 2008 at Symphony Center. The program will revisit some past collaborative performances as well as feature new works with an eye toward the continuing evolution of this partnership. More information will be announced by the CSO later this year.

This fall, architecture students at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) will work with HSDC choreographers Alejandro Cerrudo, Lucas Crandall and Brian Enos to begin to redefine space for dance, beyond the limits of the black box stage. The project will culminate in a presentation at Crown Hall on the IIT campus in January 2008. More details will follow later this year.

In February and March 2008, the company performs at the Paramount Arts Center in Aurora, Ill., then tours to Georgia, Florida, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Indiana. Following the 2008 Spring Series in Chicago, HSDC tours to Germany and Italy, returning to the U.S. to makes its annual appearance in Madison, Wisconsin. The summer months will feature the company’s annual “Inside/Out” Choreographic Workshop and conclude with performances at the Joyce Theater in New York City. A schedule to date, subject to change, is attached.

Newly arrived to the main company is dancer Philip Colucci (29, Malaga, New Jersey), who received a Princess Grace Award in 1998 and earned a B.F.A. from The Juilliard School in 1999. Prior to joining HSDC he was a soloist with the Pennsylvania Ballet, performing featured roles in works by George Balanchine, Kevin O’Day, Paul Taylor and Trey McIntyre, among others. Other changes to the company roster include the promotion of apprentice Laura Halm to full company member, effective July 1, and the promotion of HS2 company member Tiffany Vann to a new position, apprentice of the Hubbard Street Dance Center, which will involve working with both the main company and HS2. Larry Trice is not returning to the company; Tobin Del Cuore departs following August performances at Jacob’s Pillow; and, following the 2007 Fall Series, Martin Lindinger and Cheryl Mann will bid the company farewell. All intend to pursue new professional opportunities.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC), under the dynamic leadership of Artistic Director Jim Vincent, is celebrating 30 years as one of the most original forces in contemporary dance. Critically acclaimed for its exuberant, athletic and innovative repertoire, HSDC presents performances that inspire, challenge and engage audiences worldwide. The company’s ensemble of dancers displays unparalleled versatility and virtuosity, allowing HSDC to expand its eclectic repertoire with works by master American and international choreographers. HSDC also contributes to dance’s evolution by developing new choreographic talent and collaborating with artists in music, visual art and theatre. Since Lou Conte founded the company in 1977, HSDC has expanded beyond its main company to include Hubbard Street 2, which cultivates young professional dancers and choreographers, serves as the foundation of HSDC’s education initiatives and performs nationally and internationally with a diverse and engaging repertoire; extensive Education & Community Programs, under the direction of Kathryn Humphreys, which offer city- and state-accredited professional development for teachers to incorporate movement into curriculums and expose young people to dance; and the Lou Conte Dance Studio, under the direction of Lou Conte and Claire Bataille, one of the original HSDC dancers, which offers a wide variety of classes weekly in jazz, ballet, modern, tap, African, hip-hop and Pilates at levels from basic to professional, as well as workshops and master classes. -- www.hubbardstreetdance.com