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September 2009
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Choreographer Jorma Elo Returns to HSDC
World Premiere Highlights 2009 Fall Series
Finnish choreographer Jorma Elo first made his “exhilarating” presence known to Chicago audiences in January 2007, when HSDC and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) performed the world premiere of From All Sides, created with funds from the Prince Prize for Commissioning Original Work, which was awarded to Elo and HSDC, as well as composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and the CSO, in 2006. Chicago Tribune dance critic Sid Smith called the piece “an impressive addition to [HSDC’s] repertory.”
Elo trained with the Finnish National Ballet School and the Kirov Ballet School in Leningrad, then danced with Finnish National Ballet from 1978 through 1984 and with Cullberg Ballet from 1984 through 1990 before joining Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT). Throughout his career as a dancer, Elo worked closely with numerous master choreographers, notably Jirí Kylián, Hans van Manen, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, William Forsythe and Paul Lightfoot. These influences led Elo to a choreographic career of his own. He has created numerous works in the U.S. and internationally, including premieres for New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Royal Danish Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, NDT, Alberta Ballet and four works for Boston Ballet, where he has been resident choreographer since 2005. Elo also received the choreographic prize at the 2005 Helsinki International Ballet Competition.
When we contacted him, Elo was about to arrive in Chicago to create his second work for HSDC, which will have its world premiere during the company’s 2009 Fall Series Oct. 1–4 at the Harris Theater before HSDC performs it on tour in Israel, Jordan and The Netherlands in late October and early November.
How do you feel about the prospect of coming back to work with HSDC?
I am thrilled to be coming back and getting this chance to work again with the fabulous Hubbard Street dancers. It’s going to be a great ride for me, hopefully for everybody involved and, in the end, for the audience.
Although you haven’t started working on the piece yet, do you have some preliminary thoughts to share?
I think it will be a medium-size ensemble, probably eight dancers. Most of the music is Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, with some excerpts from operas by Monteverdi. That’s at least where we will begin; the dancers and I will dig into the music when we go into the studio.
How would you describe your first experience with the company, when you created From All Sides, in 2006?
The dancers were great; the creative spirit was really strong from everyone. I felt very at home with the dancers and everybody at HSDC. It was also so cool to be there at Symphony Center with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra playing live. I send my thanks to Jim [Vincent] and the dancers for a fantastic first experience.
Also thanks to the people at HSDC, I got to meet two great Finnish stars: the conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, who conducted the orchestra when we premiered the piece, and the Chicago Blackhawks star forward Tuomo Ruutu, who now plays for the Carolina Hurricanes.
How will the process of creating this work be different from creating From All Sides?
The music will be a big contrast to the Turnage piece, but I am going to build on the connection that we established three years ago and see how we have grown—the dancers and me. Also I’m very excited to be working with Glenn [Edgerton] after a couple of years’ break; we have lots of good memories from working together at Nederlands Dans Theater.
How do you find working with HSDC differs from working with other companies?
I think there is no company like HSDC in the whole United States—the creativity, the freedom in exploring different dance styles. Both the way the dancers excel at different types of choreography and the creativity level that HSDC is privileged to enjoy are really unique and produce a special atmosphere when one has the chance to work with them.
Anything else you'd like to share?
I hope that Glenn will invite me again to work with the company but hopefully during the hockey season, so I get to see Blackhawks games!
HSDC Collaborates with the Art Institute of Chicago
in “500 Ways of Looking at Modern”
HSDC-AIC Events Begin Sept. 24
Visual art and dance both offer a feast for the eyes and a creative treat for the imagination. This season, HSDC expands its partnerships with Chicago arts institutions, embarking upon a season-long series of events with the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) that culminates with the annual “Inside/Out” Choreographic Workshop on site at the AIC.
“Being inspired and collaborating with our neighboring institutions and their art is an exciting and important component of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago,” said Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton. “The AIC staff has been incredibly generous. Working closely with Mary Sue Glosser [AIC creative director, lectures and performance programs] has been inspiring, and HSDC values this relationship greatly. Melding the tremendous visual art of the AIC with our art form, contemporary dance, is a wonderful fusion of creativity, bringing a richer experience from both our worlds.”
The relationship took its first steps last spring, when members of the main company performed works in progress by HSDC dancers Brian Enos and Benjamin Wardell at the opening of the AIC’s Modern Wing in May. Then, this past July, Edgerton participated in a gallery walk, talking with Glosser about selected images from the AIC collection and their relationship to dance.
Here is a lineup of events for the season-long collaboration:
- September 24, 6 p.m.: “In Search of Modern,” which brings dance, art and theatre together with actors from the Goodman Theatre reading from a script and HSDC dancers responding to the text through structured improvisation, all focusing on innovative French modern art and other works
- October 29, 6 p.m.: “HSDC Installed,” when dancers from Hubbard Street 2 (HS2) enliven Griffin Court with a program inspired by works in the museum’s collection
- November 27, 11 a.m.: “HSDC Installed,” featuring dancers participating in the annual pre-holiday wreathing of the lions
- January 21, 6 p.m.: “HSDC in the Collection,” a gallery walk led by the AIC’s Mary Sue Glosser and a member of HSDC’s artistic staff
- February 20, 11 a.m.: “HSDC Installed,” with dancers from HS2 sharing work they are creating with National Choreographic Competition winner Jonathan Fredrickson
- March 18, 6 p.m.: “HSDC in Dialogue,” HSDC designers and other artistic staff members talk with Mary Sue Glosser about the process of designing a visual environment for dance, immediately followed by the opening night performance of HSDC’s 2010 Spring Series
- June 3, 6 p.m.: “HSDC in Dialogue,” a sneak preview of works scheduled for HSDC’s 2010 Summer Series, featuring discussion and possible demonstration with HSDC dancers, artistic staff members and Mary Sue Glosser, immediately followed by the opening night performance of HSDC’s 2010 Summer Series
Showcasing work created throughout the year’s residency is the “Inside/Out” Choreographic Workshop, HSDC’s annual period of creativity for the company’s dancers to explore choreography and related pursuits offstage. This year, “Inside/Out” will encompass 10 to 12 separate dance installations in the AIC galleries taking place on one evening—June 17 at 6 p.m.—as well as approximately 30 rehearsals throughout the residency, concentrated most between June 8 and 17.
In addition to these planned events, there will be a variety of unscheduled, unannounced appearances throughout the year, including rehearsals and impromptu performances. So keep your eyes open if you’re visiting the Art Institute—you never know who might be dancing with Degas around the corner!
Click here for the press release with further information [PDF].
To receive e-mail reminders about upcoming events in the HSDC-AIC collaboration, click here to sign up for HSDC’s e-mail list.
Born to Dance: HSDC Offers New Youth Dance Program
Creative Movement and Dance Technique Classes Begin Sept. 14
While some of the most impressive professional dancing in the world takes place inside the Hubbard Street Dance Center—in rehearsals by the main company and Hubbard Street 2—the building has welcomed dance enthusiasts of all abilities through the Lou Conte Dance Studio’s wide range of class offerings.
Beginning this fall, even the ability to walk becomes optional!
Under the auspices of its Education & Community Programs, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is launching a youth dance program for children nine months to 13 years old. Through these classes, children can experience the joy of dance: exploring body, space, time, energy, dance technique and their own choreographic capabilities. Through age-appropriate movement development goals, improvisation, dance vocabulary, stories and music, students explore all aspects of dance and learn new ways to communicate their ideas.
“Hubbard Street has been deeply committed to nurturing a love of dance in young people throughout our community for more than 12 years,” said HSDC Director of Education Kathryn Humphreys. “Our new youth dance program, the next logical extension of our long-standing work in the schools, will allow us to offer a more extensive training program, both for students at those partner schools and from the greater Chicago area. We look forward to sharing Hubbard Street's creative dance curriculum and expanding the technique offerings of the renowned Lou Conte Dance Studio.”
Creative movement classes allow young students to explore their developing movement skills. The first two levels (9–18 months, 18 months–2 years old) involve interaction with caregivers as well as peers. The three upper levels (ages 3–5, 5–7 and 7–9) build on students’ increasing understanding of how their bodies move and ways to use movement to communicate and tell stories.
For students interested in focusing on the techniques that support contemporary dance, HSDC offers classes in ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop. Students are placed in technique classes based on their experience level. Technique classes give older students a solid foundation to begin or continue their study of dance.
Among the faculty for the youth dance program are former HSDC dancer Karen Castleman, Education & Community Programs faculty members MK Victorson and Keesha Beckford and LCDS faculty member Shannon Johnson. Kristen Gurbach Jacobson has been hired as Community Programs Coordinator to oversee the program.
The first session runs September 14–December 22. Additional sessions begin January 4 and March 22. For more information and to download a registration form, click here.
Seasonal Celebrations: Fall Opening Night and Summer at Twilight
HSDC invites donors, patrons and fans to our Season Opening Celebration on October 1, opening night of the 2009 Fall Series and the 2009–10 season, to welcome new Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton and celebrate the beginning of a new era for Hubbard Street.
This exciting evening brings HSDC fans together to toast Chicago’s favorite contemporary dance company at the beginning of the 2009–10 season and to welcome Glenn to his new role as artistic leader of the organization. In addition, the evening offers an exceptional opportunity to meet the company’s artistic staff and dancers.
The celebration begins at 5:15 p.m. at the Fairmont Chicago with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a jazz combo, followed by a three-course dinner and wine. Guests will depart for the Harris Theater at 7 p.m. for the opening night performance of HSDC’s 2009 Fall Series, featuring a world premiere by Jorma Elo, Lickety Split by HSDC Resident Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo, the return of Jardi Tancat by Nacho Duato and The Set by HSDC Associate Artistic Director Lucas Crandall.
Individual tickets for the celebration are $250 each and tables of 10 are available for $2,000. Call Paula Petrini Lynch at 312-850-9744, ext. 164 for more information.
Meanwhile, HSDC wrapped up summer with its second annual Twilight on the Rooftop on August 19 at the East Bank Club. A thunderstorm caused the vintners and 260 guests to take cover in the EBC’s elegant banquet room. There they mingled with the HSDC dancers while sampling wines from 14 different wineries. The event raised more than $44,000 to support HSDC’s new choreography initiatives.
Click here to view additional photos from the event on Flickr.
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