CHICAGO, IL 3/21/2023 

Chicago Dancemakers Forum is excited to have been selected by DanceWorks Chicago to carry on the 15-year legacy of DanceChance.

DanceChance is a monthly, one-hour event designed to offer opportunities for local dancemakers to share their work in a low-stakes environment and to engage in dialogue about the creative process with peers and dance enthusiasts.

“In March 2008, DanceWorks Chicago (DWC) launched DanceChance to encourage creativity and an embrace of adventure on the part of artists and audiences as well as to bring communities together to learn more about each other. After 15 years of ‘chance, DWC is honored and excited to support Chicago Dancemakers Forum as it offers a new home to DanceChance, supporting our organizations’ shared values around innovation and interaction.” Julie Nakagawa, Co-founder and Artistic Director, DanceWorks Chicago

Chicago Dancemakers Forum credits and thanks DanceWorks Chicago for the design and description of this program, as well as Ruth Page Center for the Arts and Lou Conte Dance Studio who served as in-kind venue partners throughout the years.

What Happens At DanceChance?
Inspired by the concept of open-mic night, DanceChance is held once a month and features 3 dancemakers chosen by chance, each of whom has up to a 10-minute time slot to share their work (can be choreographed, improvised, or communal in nature). To round out the hour, the last segment is a moderated conversation with the participating dancemakers to discuss their work/process.

How Are Dancemakers Selected?

At the end of each DanceChance, the next trio of participants is chosen by random draw from names submitted by dancemakers in attendance who choose to put their names in the hat (yes, a literal hat).

To be eligible, artists must be age 18-80+, local, and present at the previous DanceChance event. For example, to have an opportunity to participate in the July DanceChance, dancemakers would need to be in attendance at the June DanceChance.

The first DanceChance of the series (May 22 at Red Clay Dance Company) has a virtual hat, open until April 16.

What is the 2023 DanceChance Schedule?

2023 SERIES: MONDAYS 6:30-7:30PM
May 22 at Red Clay Dance Company (808 E 63rd St)
Jun 26 at Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Central West Center (2102 W Ogden Ave)
Jul 24 at Ruth Page Center (1016 N Dearborn St)
Aug 21 at Harold Washington Cultural Center / The M.A.D.D. House (4701 S Martin Luther King Dr)
Sep 25 at MCA (220 E Chicago Ave)
Oct 23 at Bim Bom Studio (5226 W Belmont Ave)

More Information