The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) invites dancers of all levels to flock to Millennium Park for the SummerDance Celebration on Saturday, August 26. The festival will feature a full day of dance competitions, social dancing, lessons and performances by local dance companies throughout the park from noon until 9:30 p.m. Admission is free. For a complete schedule, visit chicagosummerdance.org.
Every weekend since July 8 the DCASE has held SummerDance-Off Neighborhood Competitions. Residents have been showing off their footwork and steppin’ skills at a series of citywide amateur contests at Chicago Park Districts. On Saturday, July 29 from 2 – 5 p.m. the last SummerDance in the Parks program event – Steppin’ at Austin Town Hall – will take place at 5610 W. Lake Street. The winners of this final contest will then compete at the Dance-Off finale at the SummerDance Celebration in Millennium Park at Cloud Gate on August 26.
Additional highlights include a DJ Dance Party at Cloud Gate, Circle Dance Lessons on the Great Lawn, professional dance performances at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and much more. The footwork events are produced in collaboration with Donda’s House, a nonprofit supporting young and aspiring artists in Chicago.
Online registration for the Dance-Off competitions is available at www.chicagosummerdance.org. Groups are encouraged to register in advance. On-site registration will be available at each location. Registration is on a first-come first-serve basis.
