HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO: SEASON 43
THE WORLD PREMIERE OF “IN ANY EVENT”
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s 43rd season resumes Thursday, March 25, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. with a virtual world premiere of new work by critically acclaimed choreographer and former HSDC dancer Penny Saunders. The piece will also be streamed Saturday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 28 at 2:00 p.m. Each presentation of the film will be followed by live, interactive conversations with Saunders and other members of the creative team. Audiences are asked to RSVP at HSDC to receive the link via email. The RSVP link will be made available two weeks prior to the premiere. HSDC will stream on Vimeo.
Saunders’ 30-minute piece is entitled “In Any Event.” Created at a time when gathering for events is not possible for most due to the coronavirus pandemic, the film explores the complex interpersonal dynamics inherent within significant life celebrations.
“There is an array of events that one experiences in their lifetime, from birthdays to New Year’s parties, and from weddings to funerals. These monumental ceremonies merge casts of characters with individual narratives—some more private, some more evident. With intermingling storylines and layered histories, these gatherings can be intense and complex collisions of viewpoint, rather than the easy celebrations that they appear to be,” says Saunders.
“In Any Event” was co-directed by Saunders and Bruno Roque and filmed by HMS Media. The film includes music by Franz Schubert, original compositions by Michael Wall, and stories and songs recorded by Hubbard Street dancers. The work was filmed at Walden, a private event space in the West Loop neighborhood, and performed by the full HSDC company.
“Using the Walden event space as our setting, this film shifts the audience’s point of view within those walls to reveal a series of hidden perspectives and agendas,” Saunders continued. “Our film compassionately peels back the complicated dynamics present at any gathering of family and friends.”
