The legendary Gus Giordano Dance School, now located at 5230 N. Clark in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood is make plans for its 60th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, the school will be hosting a celebration, Oct. 12 and 13, that will feature dance workshops with celebrity performers and more. The highlight of the weekend will be an original performance to be given during a celebration party to be held Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. the Swedish American Museum in the Art Gallery, 5211 North Clark Street.
The event kicks off Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. with the installation of an “Honorary Gus Giordano Way” street sign as a tribute to Gus’ dreams of operating a dance school in Chicago. Chicago 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman and 40th Ward Alderman Patrick O’Connor will present the sign in front of the Clark Street location. This event is free and open to the public.
Seasoned performers will teach an exclusive two-day workshop on Oct. 12 from 9 a.m.-to 5 p.m. and on Oct. 13 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Registration is available online or by phone. The cost to attend is $160. Workshop instructors include: Dee Caspary (from “So You Think You Can Dance”); Laura Klein (from the original Broadway cast of “A Chorus Line”); Kate Jablonski (Dance Chicago’s 2013 Choreographer of the Year); Richard Smith (Gus’ former teaching assistant & director of Inaside Dance Chicago), and Craig Kaufman (master teacher, formally with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago & Thodos Dance Chicago).
Tickets ($100) for the Oct. 13 party at the Swedish American Museum N. Clark can be purchased by phone or online. All proceeds go directly to the school’s scholarship fund to assist young dancers.
Gus Giordano is known worldwide as the founder of American jazz dance. The Gus Giordano Dance School, which teaches over 80 classes per week to students ranging in age from two to adult in all dance styles, serves more than 500 students each year. It is offering free advanced contemporary and jazz dance classes for professional dancers from 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. on Mondays and Fridays now through December, in honor of Gus and Peg Giordano, who frequently gave free classes to dancers in need.
For more information about classes or faculty visit http://gusgiordanodanceschool.com.
