The top 10 best bets in the Chicago dance calendar.
Looking ahead, the Auditorium and Harris theaters are about to be filled with dance. But there’s also plenty to see in small, more intimate spaces. Here are the events I’m most excited about in the coming months.
LookOut Series: Steppenwolf ’s curated black-box series is particularly focused on dance this year. Of the shows that remain, save room on your dance card for Auri CuriAtlas, a team of physical theater experts who’ve schemed a new plot based on characters from the Tarot; Grammy-nominated Spektral Quartet, musicians venturing into physicality for the first time; and an expanded version of J’Sun Howard’s “a Mortitorium,” a dance created in conjunction with the Art Institute’s excellent Charles White retrospective last year. Through Feb. 1 at Steppenwolf ’s 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted St.; tickets $20-$30 at 312-3351650 and www.steppenwolf.org
“The Times are Racing”: Two Tony Award-winning choreographers and three Chicago debuts are just some of the highlights of the Joffrey Ballet’s mixed-rep program. Former Batsheva dancer Itzik Galili sets “Mono Lisa” and “The Sofa” — a comedic love triangle set to music by Grammy winner Tom Waits — on the company, taking Joffrey’s dancers on a rare foray into Gaga, a genre about far as one can get from classical ballet. Less of a stretch is Justin Peck’s “The Times are Racing,” a “sneaker ballet” merging dance with themes of protest and political activism. Christopher Wheeldon’s “Commedia,” created in 2008 as a 100th anniversary tribute to the Ballets Russes, and Stephanie Martinez’s “Bliss!” set to Stravinsky’s “Dumbarton Oaks,” are the more conventional of the works on this rangy program, last seen this past summer in a first-time collaboration with the CSO. Feb. 12-23 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets $25-$197 at 312-386-8905 and www.joffrey.org
“Blizzard”: The Quebecbased troupe Flip Fabrique returns to Chicago for first time in five years with a winter-inspired extravaganza. These circus artists do all the standard disciplines — aerial, acrobatics, trampoline and more — but their shows are quirky and character-driven, with a balance of spectacle and heart. Apropos for the Harris’ two casual show series, “Blizzard” appears as part of Mix at Six, a happy hour show with food trucks on lower Randolph, and the theater’s Saturday matinee, designed for families. Feb. 21-22 at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Drive; tickets $10-$15 at 312-334-7777 and www .harristheaterchicago.org
Same Planet Performance Project: Same Planet’s universes can be difficult to unpack, but almost always transport you to bizarre, beautiful places. Artistic director Joanna Read’s newest work is about the unfettered natural world, drawing from rejuvenating forests and flora’s ability to propagate and procreate unabashedly as a metaphor for consent and boundaries among people. Per usual, Read’s design team is a gaggle of artists on top of their game, among them, composer Erica Ricketts and costumer Vin Reed — whose long resume currently includes “The Voice” contestant Katie Kadan’s wardrobe. Feb. 21-22 at the Dance Center of Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan Ave.; tickets $30 at 312-369-8330 and dance.colum.edu
Project Bound Dance and Emma Draves: On the storefront scene, two of my favorites are collaborating for the first time together at Links Hall. Having both recently presented ambitious full-length works, the vibe here is more casual: an evening of cozy solos and duets, most of them brand new. With themes of safety, hibernation, intimacy and empathy at their disposal, this concert aims to feel like pulling on a big, cable knit dance sweater near the beginning of the end of Chicago’s frigid winter. Feb. 28 to March 1 at Links Hall, 3111 N. Western Ave.; tickets $18 at www.projectbound.dance
Trinity Irish Dance Company: Get tickets early for this Leap Day performance, which features a world premiere collaboration with tap dance star Michelle Dorrance. It’s part of an increased effort to merge Irish dance with other percussive dance forms, but if you’re not much for experimentation, all of Trinity’s audience favorites will be part of this one exhilarating performance. Feb. 29 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets $35-$66 at 312-341-2310 and www.auditoriumtheatre.org
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre: Ailey’s annual pilgrimage to the Auditorium includes several works not yet seen in Chicago. Among them is resident choreographer Jamar Roberts’ “Ode,” a piece about victims of police violence. It’s not a literal translation, but an elegy created for the company Roberts has danced with since 2002. “Ode” shares a program with a revival of Aszure Barton’s terrific “Busk,” made a decade ago and a quintessential example of this extraordinary choreographer’s CV. Per tradition, each of the three lineups ends with Alvin Ailey’s
“Revelations.” March 4-8 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets $35-$104 at 312-341-2310 and www.auditoriumtheatre.org
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: If you haven’t managed to see Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin’s “Minus 16” in the 20 years since it first came to Chicago, now is your chance. The iconic piece is presented as part of a suite called “Decadance/Chicago,” Hubbard Street’s personalized compilation of select Naharin works, created last season. March 12-15 at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Drive; tickets $25-$110 at 312-3347777 and www.hubbardstreetdance.com
American Ballet Theatre: A multiyear partnership with ABT brought the whimsically wacky “Whipped Cream” last season. This year’s program might be more austere, but it’s no less spectacular, with Antony Tudor’s “Lilac Garden” and Twyla Tharp’s “Deuce Coupe” — created for the Joffrey and premiered at the Auditorium in 1973 — anchored by the gorgeous Kingdom of the Shades scene from “La Bayadere.” Bonus: Misty Copeland is scheduled to dance in three performances. March 19-22 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets $50-$130 at 312-341-2310 and www.auditoriumtheatre.org
Giordano Dance Chicago: Longtime friend of the company Autumn Eckman returns to set new work to original music by Dan Myers, the same composer of Eckman’s audience favorite, “Commonthread.” Plus, Peter Chu’s “Groove, in formed” returns, along with revivals of Joshua Blake Carter’s Rat Pack-inspired “Take a Gambol,” Ray Mercer’s electrifying “Shirt Off My Back” and works by Brock Clawson and Nan Giordano. April 3-4 at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Drive; tickets $20-$90 at 312-3347777 and www.giordanodance.org
Lauren Warnecke is a freelance critic. lauren.warnecke@gmail.com