HUBBA HUBBA HUBBARD
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s is making a rare West Coast appearance next Friday at The Musco Center at Chapman College The Chicago veteran contemporary dance company, one of America’s finest, never disappoints. The quadruple bill next consists of a variety of styles. The first piece, Maria Torres’s Echoes of Our Ancestors (2024) is an earthy Hispanic/African-infused celebration created for HSDC’s winter series earlier this year; the second, Show Pony by Kyle Abraham, is a jazzy and modern-dance inflected solo; the third, Into Being (2023) by Florian Lochner and Alice Klock (aka FLOCK), is another new work; and the fourth is Aszure Barton‘s contemplative return to patience (2015), premiered by the company last year. Barton is responsible for the astounding Busk, which played at the company’s engagement at L.A.’s Ahmanson Theatre last year (see our review).
As one of the world’s most important contemporary dance companies, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago encompasses a vast array of techniques and forms, as well as an understanding of abstract artistry and the emotional nuances of movement. With an exuberant, athletic, and innovative repertoire, Hubbard Street presents performances that inspire, yes, but also challenge how we look at dance. Under Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell’s artistic direction, this modern company’s ensemble of 14 dancers displays unparalleled versatility and virtuosity, allowing Hubbard Street to expand its eclectic repertoire with works by American master dance-makers (their 39th Summer Series proved that) and internationally renown choreographers (such as an all-Jiří Kylián program) as well as emerging talent from under its own roof (see our review of one Winter Series in Chicago).
One of the only companies in America to perform year-round, domestically as well as overseas, it’s nonetheless a rare opportunity to catch this amazing company in the Southland. I’ve seen them on their home turf three times now, so I urge you to hightail it to the gorgeous Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University, where you only have one chance — Friday September 20, 2024 at 7:30 — to catch a diverse program by internationally recognized living artists.
For those visiting Chapman for the first time, give yourself extra time to park and find the theater. It’s a large campus, and you don’t want to do 50 jetés in order to get there on time!
The company will not only perform, but also engage with Chapman University performing arts students through the immersive Leap of Art Residencies. In writing about Echoes of Our Ancestors, Maria Torres wrote, “For young dance artists aspiring to become choreographers, I offer the following advice: Embrace your unique voice and perspective. Draw inspiration from your own experiences, passions, and cultural background. Collaborate with fellow artists, musicians, and designers to bring your vision to life. And above all, trust in the power of storytelling through movement to connect with audiences on a profound level.”
ECHOES OF OUR ANCESTORS (2024)
Maria Torres, Choreography
Philip Hamilton, Music
Luis Razo, Costume Design
Aja M. Jackson, Lighting Design
“Echoes of Our Ancestors is a captivating exploration of Caribbean Latin heritage, brought to life by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. This narrative choreography blends traditional rhythms with modern influences. Performed by the company, each Dancer embodies the spirit of exploration and celebration, breathing life into ancestral stories. The ensemble delivers a powerful performance that resonates with audiences, transcending time and space to remind us of our enduring connection to our roots.” —Maria Torres
Dancers: Alexandria Best, Dominick Brown, Aaron Choate, Morgan Clune, Michele Dooley, Elliot Hammans, Jack Henderson, Bianca Melidor, Shota Miyoshi, Andrew Murdock, Jemoni Powe, Sydney Revennaugh, Simone Stevens, Cyrie Topete
ECHOES OF OUR ANCESTORS
SHOW PONY (2018)
COMPANY PREMIERE: 2023
Kyle Abraham, Choreography
Music: Hatshepsut written and performed by Jlin
Fritz Masten, Costume Design
Dan Scully, Lighting Design
Dancer: Shota Miyoshi
SHOW PONY
PAUSE
INTO BEING (2024)
FLOCK: Alice Klock and Florian Lochner, Choreography
Michael Wall, Music, Cello: Lily Gelfand
Hogan McLaughlin, Costume Design
Julie E. Ballard*, Lighting Design
Dancers: Aaron Choate, Michele Dooley, Bianca Melidor, Simone Stevens, Cyrie Topete
INTO BEING
INTERMISSION
return to patience (2015)
COMPANY PREMIERE: 2023
Aszure Barton, Choreography
Jonathan E. Alsberry, Stager
Caroline Shaw, Music “Gustave Le Grey” performed by Ruogu Wen
Fritz Masten, Costume Design
Nicole Pearce, Lighting Design
Dancers: Alexandria Best, Dominick Brown, Aaron Choate, Morgan Clune, Michele Dooley, Elliot Hammans, Jack Henderson, Bianca Melidor, Shota Miyoshi, Andrew Murdock, Jemoni Powe, Sydney Revennaugh, Simone Stevens, Cyrie Topete
return to patience
Musco Center Photos by Karen Tapia
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Musco Center for the Arts
Chapman University, 415 North Glassell in Orange
plays Friday September 20, 2024 at 7:30
for tickets, call 844.626.8726 or visit Musco Center
