2015 Chicago Dancing Festival taking shape

Preliminary plans for the 9th annual Chicago Dancing Festival have been announced, with a cross-section of ballet, modern and contemporary dance companies from around the nation set to perform five free programs at various venues over the course of four days, from Aug. 25-29.

Among the festival debuts will be appearances by the Miami City Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Ballet Hispanico, Lori Belilove and The Isadora Duncan Dance Company, and the Brooklyn-based contemporary dance troupe, Kate Weare Dance Company.

Returning to the Festival will be the Martha Graham Dance Company, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Pam Tanowitz Dance, Brian Brooks Moving Company, as well as artists of American Ballet Theatre, and Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. In addition, for the first time, an entire evening will be devoted to “Modern Women,” featuring works created by female choreographers. And continuing the Festival tradition of commissioning new works, Chicago Human Rhythm Project will present a mixed tap piece in collaboration with guest artists from other companies.

Co-produced by choreographer Lar Lubovitch and Chicago dancer Jay Franke, the Chicago Dancing Festival will once again be staged at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, the Museum of Contemporary Art and, for the grand finale, at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park.

Here is the Chicago Dancing Festival 2015 schedule:

+ Tues., Aug. 25 – 7:30 p.m. at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph: “Opening Night Celebration” with Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Ballet Hispanico and Pam Tanowitz Dance.

+ Wed., Aug. 26 – 6 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 East Chicago: The “Modern Women” program featuring works by female choreographers including performances by Lori Belilove & The Isadora Duncan Dance Company, Martha Graham Dance Company, Kate Weare Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Pam Tanowitz Dance.

+ Thurs., Aug. 27 –7:30 p.m. at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance: This “Dancing at the Harris” program will feature the Chicago Human Rhythm Project and special guests in a world premiere commission, the Joffrey Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and soloist performances from American Ballet Theatre.

+ Friday, Aug. 28 — 6:30 p.m., with post-performance Gala at the Museum of Contemporary Art: A one-night-only performance of solos and duets by members of the nation’s top dance companies.

+ Sat., Aug. 29 – 7:30 p.m.at theJay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph: This final “Dancing Under the Stars” program will include performances by Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, the Joffrey Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Brian Brooks Moving Company, soloist performances from American Ballet Theatre and the Chicago Human Rhythm Project and special guests.

Additional events and artists for the 2015 Festival to be announced soon. All programs are subject to change.

Tickets: All events are free, but tickets for indoor events must be reserved in advance by contacting the venue’s box office. No tickets are required for the closing night performance at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park on Aug. 29.

Tickets for the Aug. 25 and 27 programs at the Harris Theater will be released on July 9, available in person at the Harris Theater Box Office, 205 E. Randolph, by calling (312) 334-7777 and online at harristheaterchicago.org. Limit two (2) tickets per order.

Tickets for the Aug. 26 and 28 programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art will be released on July 10 in person at the MCA Stage Box Office, 220 E. Chicago, or by calling (312) 397-4010. Limit two (2) tickets per order.

Tickets for the Aug. 28 Gala benefit performance at the Museum of Contemporary Art will go on-sale in July and are available online at chicagodancingfestival.com.

For more information regarding Chicago Dancing Festival tickets and performance schedules, please visit http://www.chicagodancingfestival.com.