Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre (CRDT) springs forward from fall 2025, which included launch of the Chicago Latinx/e Contemporary Movement Festival, to continue its innovative Inside/Out series and to announce the company’s residence at the Columbia College Chicago Dance Center in the spring. For more information on the latest company updates and its 27th season go to CerquaRivera.org or follow @CerquaRivera on social media
"One of the enduring, whimsical and uplifting qualities of the company is the fusion of dance and live music—the integration is vital. From the audience’s perspective, live music transforms the room. That rumbling underneath your feet because of the percussion or the voices of the vocalist simmering in the air, it bathes your auditory system. It affects you from the inside out.” - Wilfredo Rivera, Co-Founder and Artistic Director
The Spring 2026 Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre season includes:
Inside/Out Nuestras Voces (Our Voices)
Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Old Town School of Folk Music (Myron Szold Hall), 4545 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
Tickets are $23-25
Purchase tickets at CerquaRivera.org/schedule
Chicago's own Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre returns to Old Town School of Folk Music with their innovative Inside/Out series - this time unpacking 2 new pieces by emerging Latinx choreographers. “Los Immigrantes” by Ruben Andrés Castillo Gomez explores his journey as an immigrant from Mexico and the culture shock he experienced at college. “La Guerrera” by Lilia Castillo Gomez is based on the women in her family who immigrated to the US from Cuba. Members of Cerqua Rivera's professional Dance Ensemble will perform segments of the works and choreographers Andrés and Lilia will discuss their creative process.
Inside/Out with Monique Haley and TROUBLE IN MIND
Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m.
Epiphany Center for the Arts (The Sanctuary), 201 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago
Tickets are $20-35
Purchase tickets at CerquaRivera.org/schedule
Join Chicago’s own Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre in Epiphany’s beautiful Sanctuary space to get a special first look inside TROUBLE IN MIND by Monique Haley (River North Dance Chicago, Western Michigan University) and company co-founder Joe Cerqua (Columbia College, American Players Theatre). Inspired by the song (written by Richard M. Jones, recorded by artists including Sam Cooke, 1961) and play (by Alice Childress, 1955) of the same name, this project contemplates the loops of racism, sexism and injustice that shape our society as well as the potential in our common humanity.
2026 Concert Series
Thursday, April 30 & Friday May 1 @ 7:30 pm, Saturday, May 2 @ 12:00 noon
Columbia College Chicago Dance Center, 1306 S Michigan Ave, Chicago
Tickets are $10-30, free for Columbia College students
Tickets on sale at CerquaRivera.org/schedule
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre makes its Dance Center debut with its 2026 Spring Concert Series. This is the one opportunity each year to experience this company’s fearless storytelling performed by CRDT’s full Dance Ensemble and Jazz Orchestra in full production – projections, costumes, the works. On the line-up are two new world premieres: Immense World by Shannon Alvis (Nederlands Dans Theater, Kennesaw State University) and Trouble in Mind by Monique Haley (River North Dance Chicago, Western Michigan University). Back by popular demand is Shannon Alvis’ A Place Between Earth & Sky (2018) with original music by Clarice Assad (Brazilian-American Grammy Award–nominate).
Joyful Rhythms / Fearless Dance - 2026 Fundraising Gala
Thursday, May 28 at 6 p.m.
The Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E. Ontario St., Chicago
Tickets begin at $175 with sponsorships available beginning at $2,500.
Purchase tickets at CerquaRivera.org/schedule
For over a quarter century, Cerqua Rivera has been celebrating Joyful Rhythms – fearlessly centering the stories of Latinx, Black, & AAPI individuals, the LBGTQ+ community and women; sustaining a talented & diverse collective of artists; reaching audiences across Chicagoland and beyond in historic concert venues and community hubs. All proceeds directly underwrite Cerqua Rivera artist pay. All tickets include full admission, including beverages, hors d'oeuvres buffet, and program. VIP tickets and Sponsorship Packages include additional support for our unique collective of artists.
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre on Tour
CRDT continues traveling throughout Chicagoland and beyond. Events that are open to the public include ticket links below:
Current Tour Schedule includes:
Monday, April 13
Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts, Chicago, IL (student matinee)
Saturday, May 2
Trifecta Dance Festival at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, Chicago, IL
ABOUT CERQUA RIVERA DANCE THEATRE
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre uses dance and music and the combined talents of our diverse company to convey intense personal narratives. We are proudly and visibly multicultural, exploring the intersection of heritage, culture, and identity through high quality art. Our unique culture of collaboration and diversity fosters magnetic connections between artists and audiences. Our work is rooted in our founder’s vision of what art can do—gather people to contemplate factors that knit our communities together and differences that add complexity to our society. See Chicago Dance says the company “possesses a blended magic that is difficult to come by” and “creates a deeper sense of commitment and intimacy.” New City Stage raves that Cerqua Rivera "speaks straight to the heart, feeding a hunger [you] may not even realize.”
The 2025-2026 season is partially supported by The Lester & Hope Abelson Fund for the Performing Arts at The Chicago Community Foundation; Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; Chicago Cultural Treasures; Chicago Park District. Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre is partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events