“Rhythm World 27” Preview-Chicago Human Rhythm Project Opens at Jazz Showcase

Nico Rubio; photo by Jam One
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 Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) opened their annual festival of tap and percussive dance, “Rhythm World 27” on Monday, July 17t at the Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, to a packed sold-out crowd, an extremely receptive audience. The annual opening night celebration at one of Chicago’s finest jazz clubs featured Rhythm World faculty and special guests, alongside a spectacular jazz trio featuring Eric Hochberg on bass, Vijay Tellis-Nayak on piano and Emie Adams on drums.

Ali Bradley; photo by Conrad Louis-Charles

Tap dance masters included Broadway star Lisa LaTouche, a vivacious emcee, “International Wunderkind” Dani Borak, Nico Rubio, Sean Kaminski, Maud Arnold, Tre Dumas, Bril Barrett and Ali Bradley.

Also performing were a number of extremely talented students, who deservedly garnered applause.

 

 On Tuesday, July 18th, at 7PM in Chicago’s Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan, the weeklong program continues with a Student Showcase, where students display their fantastic showmanship and a Cutting Contest, in which the students face off in the annual improvisation extravaganza.

Bril Barrett; photo by Miki Whitaker

 

On Wednesday, July 19, 7pm, join Rhythm World for a first!

“JUBA!” @ Navy Pier

CHRP takes “JUBA!” Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance  to the brand new Polk Bros. Performance Lawns at Navy Pier for a free outdoor Performance.

 

 On Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22: JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance

Extraordinary foot drummers and percussive arts masters from around the globe share the Studebaker Theater stage at 410 S. Michigan Ave for “JUBA!” Each “JUBA!” concert is unique.

 

Dani Borak; photo by Milad Ahmadvand

 

On Fri, July 21, 2017

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

“JUBALEE! GALA”

The evening includes a performance for the general public and also serves as CHRP’s annual fundraising gala,”Jubalee”. The concert features Chicago Human Rhythm Project performing a world premiere by Artist in Residence Dani Borak and three classics by African-American choreographers Buster Brown, Lon Chaney and Harold “Stumpy” Cromer; STOMP alumna and Broadway hoofer (“Shuffle Along”) Lisa LaTouche performing her masterpiece Love Me or Leave Me” with Tre Dumas and Nico Rubio; STOMP cast members Ali Bradley and Jeremy Price; North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble; solo performances by Lee Howard and Jumaane Taylor; a trio performance by Star Dixon, Donnetta Jackson and Imania Fatima Detry; scholarship students from Tokyo directed by Yukiko Misumi; and a recreation of one movement from William Orlowski’s Brandenburg Concerto #3 in G Major with dancers from Kim Chalovich’s Tap Dance Centre and CHRP. Tickets are $25-55 and available at Evenbrite juba

 

Experience Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan, for an evening of rhythm and celebration! Join CHRP in honoring The Chicago Community Trust and CCT President and CEO, Terry Mazany for their extraordinary contributions to the cultural community. Past JUBA! Award recipient, the Honorable Mayor Rahm Emanuel, serves as Honorary Chair.

Lee Howard; photo courtesy of the artist

The “Jubalee!” Gala is Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s annual celebration supporting performance, education, and community outreach programs that reach more than 20,000 people every year. This year’s gala features a pre-show reception in the American Rhythm Center, 410 S. Michigan a rousing performance of the best tap and percussive dance happening today, and a post-show reception on the stage of the Studebaker Theater.

6:00PM – 7:15PM
International Cuisine and Libations in the American Rhythm Center

7:30PM
See and hear the world’s greatest percussive dance artists in rhythmic revelry, at “JUBA!” Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance” in the new Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan. The performance includes a special presentation of the “JUBA!”  Award to Terry Mazany and The Chicago Community Trust.

9:00PM
Post-performance champagne and dessert reception with the awardees and artists on the Studebaker stage.

Proceeds from this event will support CHRP’s summer TAP SCHOLAR program (which has provided hundreds of life altering scholarships to deserving, talented teens enabling them to study tap and percussive arts with world class artists) as well as year-round, free, rhythm based arts education programs in Chicago Public Schools that serve more than 10,000 children every year.

 

Lisa LaTouche; photo courtesy of the artist

Saturday, July 22, 7:30 pm
JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance

The performance features CHRP performing several works, including MacArthur Fellowship (“Genius”) winner Michelle Dorrance’s Push Past Break”, a work blending two iconic American art forms, the blues and tap dance, that she created for CHRP with support from the Princess Grace Foundation and the Auditorium Theatre’s “Movement + Movement Festival”; solos by some of the country’s leading masters of tap and percussive dance, including a world premiere by CHRP’s new Artist in Residence Dani Borak, Star Dixon, Tristan Bruns and the godmother of the Japanese tap community, Yukiko Misumi; and performances by Jus’ LisTeN, Bril Barrett with M.A.D.D. Rhythmsand more. Tickets are $25-55 and available at Evenbrite Juba-July 22

 

Please Note:

JUBA!“ performances on Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 are completely distinct. For more information about the line-up for each performance, or to purchase tickets, click here.

The “JUBA!” concerts are the culminating events of Chicago’s prized citywide festival, “Rhythm World” 27, which runs July 17–23 and includes scores of courses, master classes, and workshops, the 17th Annual Youth Tap Ensemble Conference, a brand new “STOMP” intensive focusing on body drumming and found-object percussion and teacher certification.

 

Maud Arnold; photo courtesy of the artist and SyncLadies

For complete Rhythm World information, visit the Rhythm World website or call 312-542-CHRP (2477).

 

 

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