The time has come. The dates are here. The Chicago Dancing Festival is about to commence! From Monday, August 20th through Saturday, August 25th, you will once again be able to enjoy world-class dance throughout the city of Chicago. Last year was another amazing year, including recognition and attendance by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a newly-launched blogger outreach program, and completely sold-out performances. This year we are looking to raise the barre even higher (pun intended)!

Below are the companies scheduled to perform for the Chicago Dancing Festival 2012. Mark your calendars now. It’s going to be one amazing summer!

Monday, August 20 – “Chicago Dancing”
Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Drive
·         Bolero Chicago
·         Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
·         The Joffrey Ballet
·         After School Matters
·         Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago

Tuesday, August 21 – “Dancing Movies”
Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Avenue
·         A day of screenings of dance on film highlights innovative collaborations between contemporary dance artists, filmmakers and musicians.

Wednesday, August 22 – “Dancing East and West of Chicago”
Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway
·         Pacific Northwest Ballet guest artists
·         Ballet Arizona
·         Stars of San Francisco Ballet Sofiane Sylve and Vito Mazzeo
·         Martha Graham Dance Company
·         Brian Brooks Moving Company
·         Stars of New York City Ballet Gonzalo Garcia and Ana Sophia Scheller

Thursday, August 23 – “Dancing Under the Stars”
Chicago Dancing Festival partners with SummerDance Chicago – specific program to be announced at a later date.

Friday, August 24 – “Chicago Now”
Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Avenue
A discussion of the state of dance in Chicago today moderated by lead dance journalist and former dancer Zac Whittenburg, featuring three local companies performing in a lecture-demonstration format.

Saturday, August 25 – “Celebration of Dance”
Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park
·         Houston Ballet
·         Martha Graham Dance Company
·         Stars of San Francisco Ballet, Sofiane Sylve and Vito Mazzeo
·         Bolero Chicago
·         After School Matters
·         Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

All programs are subject to change.

Ticket Information
All events are free but tickets for the indoor performance showcases must be reserved in advance and “sell out” quickly.  No reservations are needed for the film screenings at the MCA or the outdoor “Celebration of Dance” performance at the Pritzker Pavilion.  Tickets will be available to the general public the week of July 16 in a staggered format so that each venue releases its tickets on a different day.

Keep up-to-date with the Festival and all relevant information on our Chicago Dancing 2012 Festival Web page, and through Twitter by following #CDF12.