Chicago Dance Health Fund, which provides financial relief for preventative health care and critical medical needs of Chicago dance industry professionals, announces the program of works in Dance for Life 2025. Featuring 10 companies—the most since 1993?—the nonprofit organization’s 34th annual fundraiser takes place Saturday, August 16 at 6 p.m. at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago, followed by an After Party Gala at Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago.
The Program
(in alphabetical order by company)
Aerial Dance Chicago makes its Dance for Life debut performing Arc of the Heart, with choreography and original curveboard concept by Founder and Artistic Director Chloe Jensen, set to music by Susie Suh and Robot Koch. The piece explores connection (or loss of connection, as in the pandemic social distancing, or as in the loss of a loved one), but the piece takes a hopeful and positive outlook, with the overarching feeling that “even with distance between, we are still connected.” Photo by Kristie Kahns.
Chicago Tap Allstars performs Ninjas in Tutus choreographed by Martin “Tré” Dumas to music by Miles Davis and Jay-Z. The piece seamlessly blends groovy, swung rhythms with a hard-hitting surprise hip-hop interlude. With its infectious energy and innovative choreography, Ninjas in Tutus serves as a vibrant celebration of Chicago’s rich tap dance community, bringing together artists from diverse backgrounds to create a unified and exhilarating performance. Photo by Mollie Menuck.
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater offers an excerpt of its 2024 world premiere Sacred Spaces, choreographed by Nicole Clarke-Springer to music by Mahalia Jackson, Bobby McFerrin, and GMWA Women of Worship. This moving ensemble work draws from the still, inner sanctum where strength, clarity, and resilience are born. Inspired by the personal journey toward spiritual awakening, the piece explores how grounding oneself in quiet reflection can become an act of resistance and renewal in uncertain times. Through dynamic group interplay and moments of introspective grace, Sacred Spaces invites audiences to witness the power of vulnerability, presence, and the sacred act of staying open. Photo by Jennifer Alice Jackson.
Giordano Dance Chicago performs excerpts from Red & Black, choreographed by Ray Leeper to music by Moloko, Michael Bublé, and Club De Belugas. This piece represents the spirit and legacy of Giordano Dance Chicago: Red represents passion, desire, and strength; Black represents power, elegance, and sophistication. Photo by Anderson Photography.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago shares an excerpt from Blue Soup, choreographed by Aszure Barton to music by Faraualla and Serge Gainsbourg. Barton said, “I was (and still am) moved by the sacred power of song and voice; music has a spiritual capacity that does something epic to my heart and my body. Episodic in form, Blue Soup celebrates our idiosyncratic weirdness, and through it I’d like to acknowledge Maya Angelou and David Lynch who have inspired me to practice, stretch, and create.” Photo by KT Miller Photography.
The Joffrey Ballet performs Andante, a pas de trois choreographed by Yuri Possokhov to music by Dmitri Shostakovich. A frequent choreographer for the Joffrey, Possokhov is known for his expansive choreography and powerful partnering skills. The Chicago Tribune has described his work as among “the canon of 21st century classics.” Photo by Cheryl Mann.
Movement Revolution Dance Crew brings Devastating Stereo Bots, choreographed by Founder/Artistic Director Monternez Rezell, with assistance from TJ Morris and Faith Ward, to music by Missy Elliot and Jabbawockeez. This excerpt explores the idea of our radios and stereos coming to life and dancing to the songs we played the most. Photo by Amy Aiello.
South Chicago Dance Theatre performs Temporal Trance, choreographed by Frank Chaves to music by Peter Gabriel, Vangelis, and Gabrielle Roth and The Mirrors. A paean to Chaves’ dying mother, the work consists of three discrete sections, beginning with a drama-filled structured opening and concluding with a rapidly paced finish. Chaves has said, “I explored ... very different qualities of movement in order to represent the different stages we all go through in death and the loss of a loved one.” Photo by Michelle Reid.
Trinity Irish Dance Company Artistic Director Mark Howard’s work, A NEW DAWN, is set to music by Winston Damon with Liz Carroll. The piece offers folk dance for the future at breakneck speed. Photo by Chelsea Hoy.
Visceral Dance Chicago performs Pearl by Founder/Artistic Director Nick Pupillo, set to a mix of solo saxophone and electronic beats by Chormatics, Duoteque, Caleb Arredonda, Bot1500, and Nathan Fake. A powerful and pulsing journey, the work for 10 dancers blends athleticism with intricate partnering and magnetic connections. Photo by Todd Rosenberg Photography.
World premiere finale
Jonathan E. Alsberry, who made his Dance for Life finale choreographic debut in 2024 with Lift (above), is returning to create a new work featuring dancers from participating companies and more. His inspiration is family in all its forms and the celebration of life, the greatest gift of all. Photo by Michelle Reid.
Dance for Life, which benefits the Chicago Dance Health Fund, is a one-night-only event showcasing the city’s variety of dance traditions and styles by bringing together professional dance companies and dancers from throughout Chicago, who unite to support their peers by generously donating their time, energy, and artistry. Throughout its history, Dance for Life has raised more than $8 million and presented more than 50 Chicago-based professional dance companies. The performance gives guests an opportunity to experience a range of dance genres, companies of different sizes and histories, and numerous choreographers, artists, and designers in one memorable evening. An additional beneficiary of Dance for Life is AIDS Foundation Chicago.
Dance for Life 2025 Co-Chairs are Jamin and Ekua McGinnis.
Chicago Dance Health Fund presents Dance for Life 2025
Saturday, August 16 at 6 p.m.
at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive,
followed by an After Party Gala at Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Avenue.
Tickets—$500 for the performance and after party,
$45–125 for the performance only—
are available at 312.341.2300, auditoriumtheatre.org,
and The Auditorium Box Office.
Group tickets (10 or more) are available by calling 312.341.2300.
All programming is subject to change.
The mission of the Chicago Dance Health Fund is to foster the health and wellness of more than 150,000 Chicago dance professionals by providing financial support for preventive health care and critical medical needs. Anyone working in or retired from a professional capacity within Chicago’s dance community—dancers, technical staff, administrators, choreographers, designers, instructors, accompanists, and more—is eligible.
For information, visit cdhf.org. To make a donation, visit secure.qgiv.com/event/dfl2025/.