It’s that time of year again; summer is winding down, students are getting ready to hit the books, and the school doors are about to open! Our awesome Performance Programs staff members have been working since spring to accept applications, interview artists, and audition new shows. We’re excited to announce that our touring performance roster is gaining six awesome new additions just in time for the 2017-18 season and school year! Check out the descriptions below, and click any title for more information on these six new shows.
Flamenco: The Music of Movement
A solo dancer and trio of musicians showcase the evolution of flamenco and emphasize the importance of collaboration, echoing the way many cultures came together to influence the creation of this Spanish style of music and dance. Artists: Flamenco Quartet Project
Follow the Butterfly
Combining international music and traditional stories with environmental themes, a string trio and storyteller explore folklore from around the world. By showcasing how different cultures celebrate our planet, these performers encourage audiences to become stewards of the earth themselves. Artists: Chicago Folklore Ensemble
Game of Warriors: Brazilian Capoeira
This exciting live performance introduces audiences to the history and meaning behind capoeira, a Brazilian cultural art form that beautifully combines dance and music with the acrobatic skills of martial arts. Artists: Gingarte Capoeira Chicago
Katha: Stories in Indian Dance
Through enchanting performances of a vast array of styles from classical to Bollywood, three dancers illuminate how storytelling and movement are seamlessly intertwined in the traditions of Indian dance. Artists: Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts
Made-Up Musical
Through teamwork and the improvisational rule of “yes, and”, an interactive musical is built from scratch. Audiences will help choose the location, design the backdrop, and will even become characters, creating a truly one-of-a-kind show. Artists: Storytown Improv
Rhythm Inside/Out
Through pieces that blend movement and music by utilizing unconventional percussion instruments, this high-energy ensemble showcases how rhythm is present everywhere, from the pulse in our bodies to the changing of the seasons. Artists: Be the Groove
A very warm welcome to our new touring artists! We’re so excited for all the inspiration you’ll be bringing to our schools and communities in the years to come.
If something catches your eye, get in touch with Claire at cmeyers@urbangateways.org or 312-445-2743 to book a show for your school, library, or community venue. You can always see our full performance roster right here online.