Author: Fred Cummings

Alonzo-King-LINES-Ballet
Dance 

LINES Ballet Celebrates Over 40 Years of Groundbreaking Contemporary Dance

Fred Cummings , ,

Since 1982, Alonzo King LINES Ballet has been celebrated as a ground-breaking contemporary ballet company, guided by the artistic vision of the acclaimed choreographer for which it is named. Collaborating with noted composers, musicians, writers and visual artists from across the globe, King draws on a diverse set of deeply rooted cultural traditions, imbuing classical ballet with new expressive potential. He has been heralded as a visionary and thought leader on topics that reach well beyond dance, receiving numerous accolades such as a 2020 Dance Magazine Award. The company brings new works of illuminating beauty to Bay Area audiences in bi-annual home seasons. LINES Ballet’s national and international tours allow the company to share its vision of transformative, revelatory dance through performances worldwide. LINES Ballet has demonstrated a dedication to training the next generation of artists through its pre-professional Summer Program, Training Program, Teens Program (Teens at LINES), and Bachelor of Fine Arts Program with Dominican University of California.

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Joffrey-Ballet-in-The-Little-Mermaid
Ballet Dance 

Joffrey Ballet to Present John Neumeier’s Haunting Ballet, “The Little Mermaid”

Fred Cummings ,

The Joffrey Ballet closes its 67th season with the long-awaited Chicago premiere of John Neumeier’s beautifully haunting interpretation of The Little Mermaid. A gripping tableau of shadows and colors, Neumeier’s world-renowned production of Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 tragic folktale follows the tormented mermaid heroine on a journey between the divergent worlds of land and sea—one utterly complex, the other magnificently serene. With sets and costumes of the grandest scale, this heartbreaking tragedy, based on Andersen’s original and complex themes, will mark the largest production ever mounted by The Joffrey Ballet. 

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Surviving-The-Long-Wars-Exhibition
Museums 

Chicago Cultural Center Unveils Slate of New Programming this Spring

Fred Cummings ,

The City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will welcome new and returning visual art exhibitions, music performances, film programming, and more this spring throughout the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington St). Fondly referred to as “The People’s Palace,” the Center attracts locals and visitors year-round with its breathtaking architecture, tours, and free arts programming.

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Joffrey-Winning-Works-Choreographer-Kameron-Saunders
Dance 

Joffrey Academy of Dance to Present New Slate of “Winning Works”

Fred Cummings ,

The Joffrey Academy of Dance, School of The Joffrey Ballet, will present four world premieres in the culmination of Joffrey’s national call for ALAANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab and Native American) artists to submit applications for their Winning Works Choreographic Competition. This year’s Competition winners—Natasha Adorlee, Christian D’Ariano, Kameron N. Saunders, and Mike Tyus (Recipient of the Zach Lazar Winning Works Fellowship)—each have choreographed an original work created for the Joffrey Academy Trainees and Studio Company to a commissioned score by a chosen composer collaborator. An additional performance has been added to the program this year due to popular demand.

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Bass-Baritone-Ryan-Speedo-Green
Classical Music Music 

Chicago Philharmonic to Welcome Ryan Speedo Green in Orchestra Debut

Fred Cummings , ,

The Chicago Philharmonic Society has announced it will welcome two-time Grammy Award winning bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green in a concert showcasing selections from opera and musical theater, one night only; Saturday, October 14 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. Featuring repertoire from every era of opera and musical theater, Green will make his debut with the dynamic, musician-led orchestra under the baton of Chicago Philharmonic artistic director Scott Speck.  

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Alvin-Ailey-American-Dance-Theatre
Dance Winter 2023 

Coming Home: Alvin Ailey Returns to the Auditorum Theatre This Spring

Fred Cummings , ,

If ever there was a “cultural ambassador” Chicago could call our own, it’s the beloved Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The world renowned and resplendently talented company of diversely gifted dancers has performed for an estimated 25 million people in 71 countries on 6 continents—as well as millions more through television broadcasts, film screenings, and online platforms—promoting the uniqueness of the African American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance tradition. 

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Laurie-Anderson
Music 

CYSO’s “Women in Music” Gala to Honor Laurie Anderson

Fred Cummings ,

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) hosts its 2023 gala “Women in Music” at The Geraghty, 2520 S. Hoyne Avenue, on Saturday, Feb. 25 beginning at 6 p.m. This is CYSO’s largest fundraising event of the year. Attendees will enjoy cocktails, gourmet dinner provided by Boka Catering, live auction, and performances from more than 100 of CYSO’s talented young musicians, including orchestra, steelpan, and jazz ensembles. Proceeds from the evening directly support CYSO’s award-winning music education programs for dedicated young musicians from across the Chicago region.

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door-county-wisconsin
Arts Autumn 2022 Travel 

Travel & Culture: Exploring Door County

Fred Cummings

Amidst an uncharacteristically frosty Chicago fall, and a bustling holiday cultural calendar that proffers more familiar fair than not, one might be forgiven if the mind wanders to less acquainted shores. In fact, a brief getaway is often the answer to what ails this time of year. But who wants the kind of anguish holiday season air travel can inflict? And, truthfully, a staycation simply defeats the purpose. For harried Chicagoans looking for a quick restorative escape, a fresh dose of culture, cuisine and amiable hospitality rests comfortably a short drive north of the Illinois border. It’s scenic, placid and secluded—just enough to be recuperative. It’s a community inspired with artistry and ingenuity, and it’s a haven for foodies across the strata of culinary appreciation. It’s Door County, Wisconsin, and it just may be the ticket you need this fall.

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