Chicago Dancers United will present the 25th anniversary of Dance for Life, welcoming Chicago dance companies onto the Auditorium Theatre’s stage Saturday, Aug. 20.
The celebratory evening, hosted by The Second City’s Carisa Barreca and Tim Mason, will also honor longtime supporters of Dance for Life Fred Eychaner and Alphawood Foundation, Barbara Kipper and Scott Silberstein and Matt Hoffman with HMS Media.
Dance for Life started in 1991 through the efforts of Keith Elliott, friend Todd Kiech, JHCDT Associate Artistic Director Harriet Ross, HIV/AIDS community activist/fundraiser Danny Kopelson and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Executive Director Gail Kalver.
The celebratory evening will begin at 5 p.m. with a gala reception at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., and continue at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., at 7:30 p.m. with the anniversary performance. Among the troupes/acts slated to perform are Giordano Dance Chicago, Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Visceral Dance Chicago and Chicago Dance Crash.
Also, Harrison McEldowney will choreograph a world-premiere piece specifically for Dance for Life. In addition, in a Dance for Life tradition, Randy Duncan will choreograph a world-premiere piece to cap off the entire evening, using dancers that are welcome to audition through an open call.
Tickets for both the gala reception and performance ($250-$600) or performance only ($15-$75) are on sale now and can be purchased by phone at 312-341-2300, online at ChicagoDancersUnited.com or in person at the Auditorium Theatre box office.