Preview: Spring 2008 Dance Season in Chicago

The last flakes from "The Nutcracker" snow scene have been swept away, and it's time to look ahead to the impending spring season of dance in Chicago. Spring 2008 promises to be a varied and exciting time in the Chicago professional dance scene, with classical ballets and modern works, world premieres and old favorites in store for audiences. Hometown companies will provide the majority of performances, but internationally acclaimed visitors will be coming into town as well, including a first-time arrival. All in all, the first half of 2008 will have something to please every dance lover. Here is a quick preview of the preeminent dance events taking place this spring in Chicago.

River North Chicago Dance Company, February 15^th and 16^th, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph in Millennium Park

River North's Valentine's weekend engagement at the Harris Theater will feature a number of modern and jazz-inspired pieces. The company will perform world premieres by Robert Battle and Julia Rhoades; the former is artistic director of Battleworks Dance Company, and the latter choreographed the company's repertory piece, "In the Oasis." "The Box" by former company member Harrison McEldowney, "ahisma" by Lauri Stallings, and two works by company artistic director Frank Chaves, "Take a Seat" and "Habaneras, the Music of Cuba," will also be performed. Showcasing innovative choreography and a powerful style, River North is a unique Chicago creation. This energetic program should be a stimulating start to the spring season.

The Joffrey Ballet, February 20^th-March 2^nd, Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway

After closing 2007 on a heavily classical note with "Giselle" and "The Nutcracker," the Joffrey Ballet will be slowly returning to its neoclassical roots in 2008. Its first program of the '08 season will be the Antony Tudor Centennial, celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the legendary choreographer's birth. The company will perform three Tudor classics from the early- to mid-20^th century: "Jardin aux Lilacs," a dramatic portrayal of a Victorian love affair, "Dark Elegies," which follows a community coping with the loss of its children to an epidemic, and "Offenbach in the Underworld," a lighthearted glimpse of a Parisian café. These selections capture Tudor's trademark method of examining the psychological side of his characters. Such a tribute to this influential choreographer is long overdue here in Chicago.

State Ballet of Georgia, March 5^th-9^th, Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway

This company is embarking on its first international tour, led by founder and ballerina Nina Ananiashvili, whose brilliant career has included time with the Bolshoi Ballet and American Ballet Theater. The full-length ballet "Don Quixote" will be performed on March 5^th, 8^th, and 9^th, and a mixed repertory (exact program TBA) will be featured on March 7^th. Ananiashvili herself will dance in the March 5^th, 7^th, and 9^th performances. Since we don't know when the company will return or if Ananiashvili will have retired by then, these performances could be Chicago-area balletomanes' last chances to see her onstage.

Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, March 7^th and 8^th, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph in Millennium Park

Gus Giordano's spring program will include a premiere by Davis Robertson, "Pyrokinesis" by Christopher Huggins, "Le Grand Futur is Here!" by Mia Michael, "Let's Play" by Kiesha Lalama-White, and "Prey" by Ron de Jesus. The latter is set to music by the Kodo Drummers, making it a particularly high-energy piece in a program that should live up to its title, "Power/Passion/Vitality."

The Tchaikovsky Ballet and Orchestra, March 21^st and 22^nd, Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway

This Russian company will perform the full-length classic "Swan Lake," staged by prima ballerina Natalia Makarova, along with a live symphony orchestra. For those who love the tragic stories and crisp classicism of Russian ballets, this will be the spring's best opportunity to enjoy the perennial swan-themed favorite. Makarova's expertise and the musical grandeur of the symphony, which is such a key ingredient to an enjoyable ballet performance, should make this a worthy rendition of this landmark ballet.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, March 26^th-April 5^th, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph in Millennium Park

Chicago audiences will be treated to two spring programs by one of the world's most talented modern dance companies, our very own Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Both programs will include exciting debuts as well as standard favorites by seasoned choreographers.

Program 1, March 26^th-30^th: HSDC's first spring offering will include "Extremely Close," a world premiere by company dancer and choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo, and "counter/part" by artistic director Jim Vincent, set to the music of Bach's Brandenburg Concerti. "Bardo" by Toru Shimazaki will also be performed, which the company describes as "passionate, fiery and fiercely athletic."

Program 2, April 1^st-5^th: The second program features two premieres - a company premiere of "The Constant Shift of Pulse" by New York-based choreographer Doug Varone and the world premiere of "Untitled" by artistic associate Lucas Crandall. This piece by Crandall is his third for the company, and like "counter/part" from the first program, it's set to Bach's music. "Float" by Julian Barnett, "Lickety-Split" by Alejandro Cerrudo, and the duet from Lar Lubovitch's "Cryptoglyph" round out this second spring installment from HSDC.

Debuts, Cerrudo's choreography and the music of Bach are apparent themes this season, but both programs are sure to exhilarate audiences as always. In addition to these programs, a matinee on April 5^th by Hubbard Street 2 will be geared toward children and families. Parents interested in exposing their children to modern dance should take advantage of this family-friendly afternoon performance.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, April 16^th-20^th, Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway

AAADT returns for its annual engagement at the Auditorium Theatre this April showcasing an enticing mixture of standards and surprises. The company's flagship work, "Revelations," will close the program each night with its inspirational interpretation of African-American heritage and music. The founder's 1962 classic, "Reflections in D," and his ballet-inspired piece, "Night Creature," will also be performed in various programs. Other featured pieces include Elisa Monte's "Treading," "Unfold" by Robert Battle, whose work is also being performed earlier in the season by River North, and a revival of Talley Beatty's "The Road of the Phoebe Snow," which portrays imaginary incidents along the Lackawanna Railroad Line.

In addition to impeccable technique and innovative choreography, AAADT utilizes a variety of well-known music that will appeal even to those who aren't familiar with modern dance. This spring run at the Auditorium will feature "The Groove to Nobody's Business," set to the music of Ray Charles, "Flowers," inspired by the life of Janis Joplin, using her music as well as that from Pink Floyd and Blind Faith, and "Love Stories," which is set to Stevie Wonder's music. Perhaps most interesting of all will be the company's version of "Firebird" by the renowned choreographer Maurice Béjart. According to AAADT, this version "reinterprets the traditional fairytale as an allegory of revolution, idealism and rebirth." An adaptation of this 20^th-century ballet performed by one of the premiere modern dance companies in the world should be one of this spring's dance highlights. Be sure to check AAADT's Web site carefully when choosing which performance to attend because each features a different combination of works.

The Joffrey Ballet, May 14^th-25^th, Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway

Following its tribute to Englishman Antony Tudor, the Joffrey will present American Moderns, a program dedicated to outstanding modern choreographers from this side of the Atlantic. Paul Taylor's "Cloven Kingdom" and Laura Dean's "Night" will be performed, as well as "Inner Space," Mehmet Sanders's intriguing work with dancers inside a Plexiglas box. The company premiere of Twyla Tharp's "Waterbaby Bagatelles" completes the program. This piece is inspired by the movement of fish through the water and utilizes fluorescent lighting to replicate the aura of an aquarium. A total of 7 bagatelles, or short compositions, reflect fishes' sometimes darting, sometimes languid movements. The Joffrey's technical flexibility makes it an ideal medium for Tharp's intense and athletic style. This program will be an interesting change of pace after the last few ballet-centered programs performed by the Joffrey.

Whether you enjoy full-length classical ballets or cutting-edge modern pieces, the spring season of dance in Chicago offers something that will appeal to you. The range of styles and variety of choreographers' work being performed in early 2008 shows the richness of Chicago's dance scene. This year is sure to be another exciting year of dance in the Windy City.