Dance for Life returns with in-person event for 2021 anniversary celebration

Dance for Life, the annual fundraiser for Chicago Dancers United (CDU), which supports the health and wellness of Chicago’s professional dance community, returns to the live stage this summer, for its 30th anniversary celebration.

The event, which showcases the work of numerous Chicago dance companies, will take place at 630 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. And for the first time, lawn admission for the event will be free.

Scheduled to perform this year are: DanceWorks Chicago, Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Movement Revolution Dance Crew, South Chicago Dance Theatre, and Trinity Irish Dance Company. The world premiere finale will be choreographed by renowned Chicago choreographer Randy Duncan, who has conceived a new finale work each year since 1995 for the event.

The Dancers’ Fund, according to an official statement, provides financial support for preventive health care and critical medical needs to any member of Chicago’s professional dance community.

Reserved seating in the pavilion is $300 (minimum donation). Registration for pavilion and the free lawn seating is required and will be made available in the coming weeks at chicagodancersunited.org.

The event will adhere to all pandemic-related protocols as required by the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois.