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Percussive Dance from around the world at the Auditorium Theatre

The Auditorium Theatre presents Chicago Rhythm Fest, the culminating performance of Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s two-month, citywide festival STOMPING GROUNDS, on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. STOMPING GROUNDS is a showcase of events, mini-concerts, lecture-demonstrations, and master classes celebrating the diversity of the percussive arts, highlighting some of the city’s premier dance groups. These STOMPING GROUNDS dance series took place in six Chicago communities throughout May highlighting various rhythmic cultural traditions.

Tickets to Chicago Rhythm Fest start at $28, and are available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org, by phone at 312.341.2300, or in-person at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office (50 E Congress Parkway). Discounts available for groups of 10+, and a discounted two-show “Made in Chicago” Dance subscription, which includes Giordano Dance Chicago is also available.

This year’s Chicago Rhythm Fest program includes Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s BAM!, Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago,  Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, and Trinity Irish Dance Company.

“We are thrilled to present five great dance companies as part of Chicago Rhythm Fest for the second year as part of our ‘Made in Chicago’ Dance Series,” says Henry Fogel, the Auditorium Theatre’s Interim Chief Executive Officer. “The impact each of these companies has made, not just to the dance community, but to all of Chicago, is truly remarkable.”

The 2015 – 2016 Dance Season is made possible by the NIB Foundation.

Chicago Rhythm Fest is the grand finale presentation of the STOMPING GROUNDS festival and features works from the five participating companies, a showcase of percussive dance from around the world.

Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s resident company, BAM! will showcase Anthology of Rhythm, which takes audiences on a percussive journey through 50 years of the American jazz arc.

A company committed to the presentation, preservation and promotion of the dance and musical traditions of Spain, Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater performs Algazara, choreographed by José Barrios.

Mexican Folkloric Dance Company founded in 1982 by José Luis and Matie Ovalle, Mexican Folkloric Dance Company, Chicago’s oldest Mexican dance institution, delves into Mexican history and culture through the art of music and dance, creating an experience that is both entertaining and educational.

Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago performs authentic and progressive interpretations of contemporary and ancient African and African-American dance, music, and folklore. Artistic Director Amaniyea Payne will bring her piece, Amathini (Can Dance), a salute and tribute to the freedom fighters of today and yesterday, who have risked their lives and shed blood for a new world order of peace. Amathini is an amazing dance of power and movement, featuring young women conveying rhythms by clanging tin cans together over their heads and under their knees, moving so quickly, the cans at times appear invisible. The company will also present Sorsornet, a celebration dance of good luck and good fortune from the West African nation of Guinea, choreographed by Moustapha Bangoura.

Trinity Irish Dance Company
Trinity Irish Dance Company

Considered one of the founders of progressive Irish dance, Trinity Irish Dance Company opened the gateways of curiosity and artistic expression in the United States, leading the way for commercial productions such as Riverdance and Lord of Dance. Founded in 1990 by Emmy Award-winning choreographer and Artistic Director Mark Howard, the company is known for dazzling audiences with hard-driving percussive power, lightning-fast agility, aerial grace, and awe-inspiring precision of its dancers.

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