2021 Digital Dance Showcases

July to October 2021
A grid of 10 images of dance artists.

23

April
In this series, ten artists and their collaborators premiere new works through Chicago Dancemakers Forum’s 2021 Digital Dance Grants program. These local dancemakers and their projects, created during the first half of 2021, reflect a spirit of collaboration, experimentation, and artistic exploration in using digital technologies during the era of COVID-19.
In solidarity with the service industry, we’ve identified a few restaurants you might enjoy. You can purchase a meal directly from each on the listed event days and support these local businesses.
Four dancers in black, white, and red costumes with flowers and Día de Los Muertos masks, outdoors on fresh green grass, surrounded by green trees.
Visita a Nuestros Muertos
October 10, 2021 - 3:30pm
In-Person Event

Silvita Diaz Brown, in collaboration with film artist Alexandra Yasinovsky and other artists, has created a dance film titled, “Visita a Nuestros Muertos,” inspired by Díá de Muertos. This piece was sparked last fall during the long isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic and honors Silvita’s mother while also inviting others to celebrate their deceased loved ones with beauty and grace. The event will be a 75-minute program talking the audience through the Museum’s “Día de Muertos – A Time to Grieve & Remember” exhibition (installations by the Adam Toledo family among others) with dancers moving in the space, followed by a presentation of the dance film and a talk with the artists. Sunday, October 10, 3:30pm CT at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608.

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT: Jarabe, 2255 W Taylor St

Premiere Sponsored By: National Museum of Mexican Art
A grid of three images of individual dance artists
Processing
July 29, 2021 - 6pm CT
Online Showcase

A celebration and showcase of new process-focused works including “Hypostasis” by Antibody Corporation in collaboration with Thorne Brandt, “The Process” podcast by Alyssa Gregory in collaboration with Anjal Chande, and an exploration of socially-distant, Afro-Latin partnered social dances created through green screen and other technologies by Maria Luisa in collaboration with Que4 Radio and Taylor Street Media.

Video available for viewing until August 12.

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT: Iyanze African Cuisine, 4623 N Broadway 

A grid of three images of individual dance artists
Narratives/Visibilities
August 12, 2021 - 6pm CT
Online Showcase

A mini film festival showcasing new works by Ashwaty Chennat in collaboration with Abhijeet Rane; Yoshinojo Fujima aka Rika Lin in collaboration with Subhash Maskara, Hekiun Oda, Matsuya Nozawa, and Toyoaki Sanjuro; and Zachary Nicol.

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT: Nepal House, 1301 S Michigan

Showcase Sponsored By: Jill & Richard Almeida, Pranita Nayar and Mandala Arts, Amy Wilkinson and Matt Pryor on behalf of the In/Motion Dance Film Festival
A painting in brights blues and reds with a dancer in a crop top and leggings seen in different movements, layered.
Interactive Mural Tour
SUMMER 2021
In-Person Exhibitions

Experience this interactive dance mural, created with virtual and augmented reality technologies, by B’Rael Ali Thunder in collaboration with multiple local artists.

Tour Schedule, in partnership with Deeply Rooted’s Night Out in the Parks performances:
Tuley Park – July 21
Garfield Park – July 22
Palmer Park – August 12

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS: Majani Inc, 7167 S Exchange Ave and Cafe 53, 1369 East 53rd St

Mural Tour Sponsored By: 21c Museum Hotel, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Justine Jentes
A grid of 2 logos and 2 dance images with wheelchairs.
Jolie Laide
September 12, 2021 - 1pm CT
Online Workshop

A workshop with Ginger Lane, Ladonna Freidheim (ReinventAbility), and Jon Satrom (studiothread) premiering new software which explores the intersections of inclusive dance, disability culture, and digital art through, “Digitally Reinventing Imperfection.” This event will be part of MOMENTA’s Everybody Can Dance series. The work will also debut during the CounterBalance performance on October 1 & 2.

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT: Saigon Sisters, 567 W Lake

Workshop Sponsored By: Innovation 80 Fund, Arnie & Carol Kanter, MOMENTA Dance Company
A headshot of an individual
Shaping Lens
July 16, 2021 - 7pm CT
In-Person Event: Trigger, 2810 W Addison St

In the first event of the series, Annie Franklin (Archangels) and collaborator Kenny Washington hosted a live premiere party for “Shaping Lens,” a docuseries focused on the process of producing dance film. Attendees toasted the evening with an open bar and light appetizers while getting a deeper look into the project.

The docuseries is available to watch online for free starting 7/17.

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT: Mis Moles Restaurant, 3661 N Elston Ave

21c Museum Hotel logo
Graphic with dancer and text, "Night Out In the Parks" on a purple background.
Mandala Arts logo
Artist Advising and Technical Support: Jonathan Emmanuel Alsberry, Christopher Knowlton, and Catherine Sullivan

Image Captions and Credits: Alyssa Gregory, by Anjali Pinto | Courtesy of Annie Franklin | Courtesy of Antibody Corporation | Ashwaty Chennat, by Alvin Cobb, Jr. | Courtesy of B’Rael Ali Thunder | Maria Luisa, by Oliver Sandoval | Courtesy of ReinventAbility | Courtesy of Silvita Diaz Brown | Kurokami: E {m} urge, by Yoshinojo Fujima (a.k.a. Rika Lin) and collaborators | Courtesy of Zachary Nicol