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Ethiopia’s Qwanqwa swing a danceable blend of the traditional and modern

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Qwanqwa are an Addis Ababa–based ensemble founded by American five-string violinist and Debo Band veteran Kaethe Hostetter in 2012. The group’s shifting intergenerational lineup has included many stellar players over the years, notably Mesele Asmamaw, a vocalist and master of the electric krar, a lyrelike stringed instrument with a very flexible voice; he’s released traditional and avant-garde solo albums and collaborated with Dutch punk explorers the Ex. Asmamaw is no longer with the band, but these days Hostetter is joined by Bubu Teklemariam on bass krar, Misale Legesse on kebero (a double-headed hand drum), and Endris Hassan on masinko (a single-string bowed lute), as well as vocalist and dancer Selamnash Zemene.

Qwanqwa’s three full-lengths, Volume One (2014), Volume Two (2015), and Volume Three (2020), are fascinating records that move with masterful fluidity between traditional and modern, integrating ancient forms with club music and psychedelia. The group’s name translates to “language” in English, and they treat music like the universal language we know it to be. They strive to dazzle in concert halls and jazz clubs while remaining accessible to the proverbial “person in the street” anywhere in the world. It’s an ambitious goal, but Qwanqwa make it feel within reach.

“Sewoch,” from Volume Three , has a bluesy swing and an interlude of pure trippy funk; the rollicking Volume Two instrumental “Kemekem” jam-packs elements of rock riffing, jazz improv, and deft string picking into a slinky three minutes, with the individual instruments soaring nearly like singers. Qwanqwa’s sound fits within the 60s and 70s tradition of world-beat psychedelia, which carries with it optimism about cross-cultural interaction—it believes that the joy of music and the wonder of hearing the brand-new wrapped in the familiar can be powerful weapons against dehumanization. The epic closing track of Volume Three , “Serg,” is really multiple songs in one—it’s a nearly 20-minute medley of wedding songs from the region, driven by strings, rhythms, and Asmamaw’s vocals into a transcendental jam. I’d say strap in for the ride, but you don’t want to be held down for this one. Qwanqwa have become familiar faces on the African and European festival circuits, but their current U.S. tour is only their second time in the country. They’ve come to Chicago on both trips: in 2022 to the Hyde Park Jazz Festival , and this week to the Old Town School of Folk Music.

Qwanqwa Wed 4/24, 8 PM, Maurer Concert Hall, Old Town School of Folk Music , 4544 N. Lincoln, free, all ages

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A Giordano show is always a multi-layered display of art and entertainment, not so much defying barriers and boundaries as transcending them.

When the curtain falls and the evening ends, there are a lot of grateful, happily satisfied customers

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Giordano gave me confidence.

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JAZZ DANCE WORLD CONGRESS

America's Original Jazz Dance Company

Season 61 calendar.

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Performance, benefit/fundraiser/events, dancing with the giordano allstars kickoff party, tribune tower, private event, dance for life performance, auditorium theatre, harris fest: music + dance in the park, pritzker stage pavilion  , september 9 , martinis that matter  , marty’s martini bar  , september 17 , chicago live performance, free , navy pier  , september 23 , barrington residency  , barrington high school , september 25-28 , barrington performance , september 29 , harvest festival (giordano ii) , ruth page center for the arts  , september 29 & 30 , dancing with the giordano allstars  , park west  , october 5 , giordano experience , lake shore high school, stevensville, mi , october 9 , illinois high school dance festival  , evanston township high school  , harris theater fall season unlimited  , harris theater , october 27 , ngcp basic level certification , november 1, 9:30 – 2:30p, huntsville high school residency , hunstville, al , november 1-3, ngcp beginning  certification  , november 2, 9:30 – 2:30p, ngcp intermediate level certification , november 3, 9:30 – 2:30p, ngcp advanced level certification , november 4, 4:00 – 9:00p, apap conference , new york city, ny , january 12-15 , giordano choreography project , january 20 , coker university residency, coker university, sc , january 23-25 , coker university performance.

International Association of Blacks in Dance  

Memphis, tn , january 26-28 , gorton center performance & event  , lake forest, il , february 10 , owensboro dance theater classes , owensboro, ky , february 15-18 , owensboro dance theater performance, february 18 , studio 61 fundraiser & performance , ravenswood event center, february 24, 7-11pm, atlanta workshop, march 1-3 , cobb county center for excellence in the performing arts, mableton, ga , master class  presenter: artis-naples , hayes hall, naples, fl, performance presenter: artis-naples .

Hettenhausen Master Class

March 23 , hettenhausen center for the arts, lebanon, il , hettenhausen performance, dallas master class, the winspear opera house, dallas, tx , dallas performance, harris theater spring season unlimited  , jazz dance science & health  , april 8-may 24, chicago public schools  , giordano on giordano (giordano ii) , ruth page center for arts, may 14, 6pm & 8pm, virtual & chicago, il, ngcp professional level certification , giordano workshop, chicago, il.

This fall, Chicago is bringing the drama — and the comedy, musicals, dance, and beyond. That’s because it’s #TheaterSeason, when stages large and small all around the city mount some of their most exciting productions and premieres.

Come experience the best of the city’s dynamic theater scene, with more than 150 exciting dramas, hit musicals, comedies, and more.

These world-class musicals are filled with show-stopping choreography, top-notch talent, and the catchiest tunes. Explore everything from dazzling new works to the latest Broadway hits.

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Season 46: Abundance

With Season 46, we invite you to share in our abundance of gratitude—the Hubbard Street way. Treat yourself to a Hubbard Street performance and enjoy a feast for your eyes, your soul, and your heart. Some offerings will be classic and familiar, others raw and radical—all served to you with Hubbard Street's signature precision and excellence.

Our home performances in Chicago this season include:

• Fall Series: Of Peace , November 2 –5, 2023 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance
• Winter Series: Of Hope , February 22–March 3, 2024 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
• Spring Series: Of Joy , May 17–19, 2024 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance

Tickets start at just $15!

BUY TICKETS

For tickets to Hubbard Street's upcoming appearances around the country, check out the company's touring schedule .

Special Offers & Discounts

Arts & Culture Industry Expand Collapse

Professional dancers and staff across the arts & culture industry can obtain $20 tickets for any performance. Use the code INDUSTRYHS online or mention the promo code when making a reservation over the phone. You must present proof of your involvement in the industry (e.g. business card, resume, etc.) upon request. One discounted ticket per industry proof.

Please note that these special offers are only valid for Hubbard Street's Chicago performances at the Harris Theater and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Tour presenters set their own ticket prices and policies. 

Frontline Workers Expand Collapse

As a show of gratitude to all frontline workers, we wish to offer a  $20 ticket  to any performance! Use the promo code FRONTLINEHS online or mention your frontline worker status when making a reservation on the phone. You must be able to present proof of frontline worker status upon request. One discounted ticket per worker.

Hubbard Street identifies anyone as a “frontline worker” using the State of Illinois’ Department of Public Heath guidelines for grouped vaccination, as well as those who are doctors, nurses, grocery store workers, delivery drivers, EMTs, ride share drivers, pharmacy workers, public transit workers, childcare workers/elderly care support.

Frontline workers who qualify for discounted tickets are:

• First Responders: Firefighters (including volunteers), Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs), 911 Dispatch (Public Safety Answering Point – PSAP), Security Personnel and School Officers. EMS personnel are previously included under Phase 1A.
• Physical Therapists
• Corrections Officers: Jail Officers, Juvenile Facility Staff and Workers Providing In-Person Support.
• Food and Agriculture Workers: Processing Plants, Veterinary Health, Livestock Services, and Animal Care.
• United States Postal Service Workers
• Manufacturing Workers: Industrial production of goods for distribution to retail, wholesale or other manufacturers.
• Grocery Store Workers: Baggers, Cashiers, Stockers, Pick-Up and Customer Service.
• Public Transit Workers: Flight Crew, Bus Drivers, Train Conductors, Taxi Drivers, Para-Transit Drivers, In-Person Support and Ride Sharing Service Drivers.
• Education Workers (Congregate Childcare, Pre-K through 12th grade): Teachers, Principals, Support Staff, Student Aids, Day Care Workers and Frontline Support Staff.
• Shelters/Adult Day Care: Homeless Shelter, Women's Shelter, Adult Day/Drop-In Program, Sheltered Workshop and Psycho-Social Rehab
• Government Employees: Federal, state, local, or municipal government employees not eligible under previous phases.
• Higher Education Staff: Workers in educational institutions, including junior colleges, four-year colleges and universities, technical schools, trade schools, educational support services, and administration of education programs.
• News Media: Newspaper, television, radio, and other media services.
• Food and Beverage Service Workers: Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food (including bars) and entities that provide food services.
• Religious Leaders
• Construction Trades and Businesses Supporting Building and Infrastructure Repair

Educators Expand Collapse

All educators—classroom and dance teachers alike—are eligible for $20 tickets to any performance! Use the code EDUCATORHS online or mention the promo code when making a reservation on the phone. You must present a valid educator ID upon request. One discounted ticket per valid educator ID.

Students Expand Collapse

Students can enjoy $10 tickets for any performance! To qualify, you must be a full-time student at an accredited elementary school, middle school, high school, college or university. Use the promo code STUDENTHS online or mention the promo code when making a reservation over the phone. You must present a valid student ID or ID number upon request. One discounted ticket per valid student ID/number.

Teen Arts Pass Expand Collapse

Teen Arts Pass (TAP) members can purchase $5 tickets for any performance online using promo code TAP.  All teens aged 13-19 in Chicago can apply for a free Teen Arts Pass membership! Learn more on the Urban Gateways website.

Young Professionals Membership Expand Collapse

The Young Professionals Membership program is designed to cultivate the next generation of arts patrons who are eager to socialize, engage, and see incredible dance performances. At the generously discounted price of $60 ($20 per ticket), Young Professional Members are 35 years of age or younger and receive a Section 3 ticket to one performance of their choice in each of the Fall, Winter, and Spring Series. All this, plus access to additional discounted tickets, invitations to exclusive events, and more!

Click here and scroll down for instructions on how to join our Young Professionals Membership program. 

Gift Certificates

HSDC Gift certificates are available in increments of $55 (the average price of a ticket), and once purchased, can be redeemed for tickets by the holder online or by calling the HSDC Box Office at 312-850-9744 x 5. Please note that gift certificates cannot be redeemed at the Harris Box Office or MCA Box Office, and cannot be exchanged for cash. 

BUY A GIFT CERTIFICATE

Ticket Donation Requests

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is pleased to consider all requests for ticket donations.

Ticket donations consist of a certificate redeemable for one pair of tickets to a specific series in our current season. Vouchers are valid only for the series and dates specified and are nontransferable.

While we would like to grant all ticket requests, Hubbard Street receives numerous donation requests each week. In order to assist us in fulfilling your request in a timely fashion, please note that requests must be made no less than six weeks prior to your event.

To request a ticket donation to support your organization, please email Director of Marketing & Communications Erik Kaiko at [email protected] .

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Chicago's top 10 clubs for dance music in 2023.

Throughout the years, Chicago's nightlife scene has been nothing short of iconic. From jazzy speakeasies that catered to Al Capone and affiliates during the roaring 20s, to the birth of house music in the early 80s — where Frankie Knuckles could be witnessed pioneering the genre at the now-defunct nightclub “The Warehouse”—there’s always been something to do on a Saturday night.

Coming into the second half of the 2000s, a surge in electronic dance music swept across the country, consuming Chicago in its wake. With an abundance of local festivals, live music venues, and meticulously curated production elements, club kids were living through an electronic renaissance unlike any other (myself included).

Annual fests like Lollapalooza, Spring Awakening, and North Coast have stuck around, the latter trending upwards in electronic acts over the years, while the inception of promotor and event production company Auris Presents in 2020 has brought new life to its surrounding community.

Today, party-goers looking to unwind have their pick of upscale clubs, gritty dives, and historic music halls to get their fix.

Check out iEDM's Chicago's Top 10 Clubs For Dance Music below.   

10) Podlasie Club

Kicking off the list is Podlasie Club , a no-frills, queer-friendly bar, lounge, and nightclub in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood . Owned and operated by the same family since 1986, the club went from hosting working-class Poles in the 80s and 90s to near closure in recent years due to the pandemic and gentrification of the area.

Thanks to a group of young folks looking for a place to host monthly dance parties, Podlasie stayed open. Now, with a renovation under their belt and a swarm of 20-something's looking to dance the night away, the club boasts a lineup of local DJs spinning some of the best dance, house, and techno in the city each week. 

For over three decades,  Berlin has remained a freak-friendly mainstay in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood . This famously quirky and eclectic club offers an array of dance music dependent on the night. Ranging from synth-heavy 80s, house, disco, and new wave, to more modern electro and pop-influenced stylings, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Routinely nominated as one of the city's best gay bars, Berlin is a safe haven for hipsters, goths, gays, and everyone in between. Come after midnight for a truly jam-packed dance floor or on Saturdays for weekly drag performances.

8) Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom

Situated in the heart of glittering Uptown , the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom is one of the most unique venues to grace this list. First opened in 1926 as a ~literal~ ballroom, this space has played host to everything from concerts and film productions to boxing matches and private events.

With an interior that resembles the courtyard of a Moorish castle, the Aragon is a venue of total enchantment. I've seen everyone from Excision to Tchami here, and each time the painted ceiling, balcony views, and spacious dance floor have only heightened the vibe. Before you leave, make sure to snag a selfie in the bathroom! Post-remodel, the lighting is just *mwah.* 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom (@aragonballroom)

If you're in the mood for a popular underground enclave, look no further than Spybar . Located in ever-fashionable  River North , this basement dance destination is the perfect cross between high octane clubbing and intimate lounging. Featuring chic, minimalist decor, and mod cluster seating, Spybar is as stylish as it is sultry.

Around since 1995, Spybar boasts a lineup of incredible resident DJs spinning electronic, techno, and house music on the regular. Catch Hiroko Yamamura , Sean Strange , and Dustin Sheridan (among others) up close and personal as you groove the night away.

6) Le Nocturne

Another Uptown gem, Le Nocturne is a sleek, ambient spot for late night DJs and dancing. The brainchild of club owner Francois Crokaert, Le Nocturne is meant to recreate the humble French nightclub experience he grew up with — including a “come as you are” dress code.

While house music reigns supreme with resident DJ Paul Johnson , patrons are also treated to Afro Fusion Thursdays and funky theme nights; all set to an impressive  25,000 watt audio system and nearly 100  pieces of intelligent lighting. Need a breather from the dance floor? Enjoy a spacious outdoor patio during the warmer months, or find a comfortable seat inside.

5) Bass Station

The only venue not located within Chicago, Bass Station has been the premiere destination for suburban electronic shenanigans for years. Located in  Waukegan, Illinois (about an hour outside of the city) Bass Station bills local, up-and-coming talent and established artists alike —and usually with a theme!

When not operating out of their home base (where you can play Mortal Combat on a projector), Bass Station partners with venues throughout Chicago-land to throw one-off events with frequent collaborator Wub Life Ent. Upcoming events include Blast Radius with headliner MARAUDA as well as Jantsen  at Joe's on Weed St. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bass Station (@bassstationchi)

4) Sound-Bar

A vast, multilevel Euro-style nightclub, Sound-Bar  has been one of the hottest destinations in River North since opening its doors in 2004. This upscale-yet-unpretentious venue boasts minimalist decor, a 4,000 square foot dance floor, nine bars, four lounges, and floor to ceiling video projection walls.

On any given night, expect to see big-name progressive house and techno DJs, as well as some of the world's top dubstep talent. Sound-bar will play host to several Lolla aftershows (including ACRAZE and Matroda ) as well as Dirt Monkey and Flosstradamus in the coming months. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sound-Bar Chicago (@sound_bar)

3) Smartbar

Located at the northernmost tip of Wrigleyville's Clark St. offerings, Smartbar is a vibrant, subterranean nightclub showcasing the vast and varied spectrum of the dance music world. With cutting-edge talent from around the globe and a kick-ass lineup of resident DJs (hello, Derrick Carter and DJ Heather !), an evening at Smartbar will never let you down.

Another queer-friendly, radically open-minded venue, make sure to stop in on a Sunday night to experience their weekly edition of Queen! An underground house and disco party, welcome to all.

2) Concord Music Hall

A standout amidst the Auris Presents umbrella, Concord Music Hall is a beloved mid-size concert hall that supports a variety of genres. From punk and hip-hop to dubstep and metal, the Concord's calendar is always filled with top talent and an energetic crowd.

Located on the cusp of ever-trendy Wicker Park and more modestly-hip Logan Square , this west side staple provides ample space to get down and move. Some of the best shows I've seen at the Concord include melodic bass legend GHASTLY , as well as the wubby, glitch hop producer Of The Trees . Several Lolla aftershows are coming soon, featuring the likes of Wax Motif and AC Slater . 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Concord Music Hall (@concordhall)

Coming in at the number one spot on this list, to no surprise, is Radius ! Boasting a staggering 55,000 square feet, this warehouse-style multiroom venue is currently Chicago's best place to see a blowout EDM show. Previously an old steel factory, this East Pilsen landmark has been transformed into an airy, modern venue complete with a state-of-the-art sound system, exceptional acoustics, mural work, and stunning light fixtures.

If you live in the Chicago area, count yourself lucky! The most highly sought-after EDM Lolla aftershows will be showcased at Radius, including sets from SVDDEN DEATH, Dom Dolla, and MEDUZA . I seriously can't hype this place up enough, you need to experience it for yourself!

Select photos courtesy of Aaron Rolle, Collectiv Presents, Brand1Films, EMK, and Derek Rickert.

S tay up to date on the latest festival announcements and music news   HERE!

Upgrade your rave closet this 2023 with iedm apparel and accessories. check out our entire collection  here.

Taylor is a writer and music festival photographer based in Chicago, IL. Her favorite medium of expression is poetry, though she loves capturing moments of intimacy, joy, and jubilation on film. Taylor spent much of her young adulthood exploring the EDM scene, drawn to its core tenets of radical love and freedom of expression, as well as its infectious beats. When she’s not waiting for a new Rezz album to drop, you can find her at the climbing gym.

Taylor Powers

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August 21, 2023 The Music Center Launches Its Dance Season with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

The 21 st Season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center Kicks Off in The Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre with the West Coast Premieres of Two Works, Coltrane’s Favorite Things and Dear Frankie  

LOS ANGELES (August 21, 2023) — The Music Center launches its 21 st season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center with the return of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago , one of the world’s most original forces in contemporary dance. Under the leadership of new Artistic Director Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, the company will perform BUSK (choreography by Aszure Barton, 2009) followed by the West Coast premieres of Coltrane’s Favorite Things (choreography by Lar Lubovitch, 2010) and Dear Frankie (choreography by Rennie Harris, 2023) in The Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre from September 29 to October 1, 2023. Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, who last performed at The Music Center in 2015, will again captivate audiences with its extraordinary talent, precision and boundless creativity. “Hubbard Street Dance Chicago ought to bottle itself as a cure for the ills of the era,” writes The New York Times . The Boston Globe adds: “Oh, those dancers, the mighty Hubbard Streeters, at once a unified force and a community of individuals.” “Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is the consummate troupe to launch the 21 st season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center —our boldest dance season in years. Audiences of all ages will discover the power of movement with such an extraordinary company and be left spellbound by the dancers’ raw energy, athleticism and undeniable beauty,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center. “Throughout this season, we will proudly present works about strong, dynamic women as well as by strong, incredible women, beginning with the exhilarating vision of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Artistic Director Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell.” BUSK is the 2009 creation of the company’s artist-in-residence Aszure Barton. The internationally renowned Canadian-American choreographer’s poignant work, called “nothing short of phenomenal” by Chicago’s PBS station WTTW, celebrates and scrutinizes the essence of what it means to perform, laying bare complex layers of human experience and emotion through mesmerizing, multitasking movements. BUSK was conceived at The Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, California, during a residency hosted by Dianne Vapnek’s DANCEworks. The work was further developed in residency at The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and premiered in 2009 at the Ringling International Arts Festival.

Coltrane’s Favorite Things was choreographed by Lar Lubovitch, hailed by The New York Times as “one of the 10 best choreographers in the world.” His work, making its West Coast debut, is inspired by and danced to John Coltrane's 1963 Live in Copenhagen interpretation of the song My Favorite Things from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music. The backdrop for the dance is a reproduction of Jackson Pollock’s landmark painting Autumn Rhythm . With this dance, Lubovitch reimagines the choreographic possibilities of Jazz, creating a vibrant counterpart to the artistic impulsiveness of these two 20 th century giants. “In his time, the music of John Coltrane was described as ‘sheets of sound’, due to the aural environment created by his innovative wall-to-wall, top-to-bottom, overall constancy of sound,” explained Lubovitch. “Simultaneously, mid-century artist Jackson Pollock was creating pictures depicting a visual environment for which the entire surface of the canvas itself was an overall ‘action field,’ the term coined to describe his paintings. In this dance, I have sought to draw a parallel between Coltrane’s sheets of sound and Pollock’s field of action .” Dear Frankie also will be making its West Coast debut at The Music Center following its world premiere in Chicago in May of this year. In fact, Los Angeles audiences will be the first to experience Dear Frankie outside of Chicago. Known for bringing social dances to the concert stage and coining the term Street Dance Theater , Rennie Harris has broken new ground as one of the first Hip-Hop choreographers to set works on ballet-based companies. “This work is an homage to the city of Chicago, the godfather of House Music DJ Frankie Knuckles, the infamous dance club The Warehouse, and its club members,” said Harris. “Frankie Knuckles and the other noted Chicago DJs introduced House Music to the world. As a result, Chicago’s unique sound and dance have impacted not only music but fashion, television, film, radio and Pop, and underground culture as we know it today.” During the company’s residency, The Music Center’s longtime community partner dublab (the L.A.-based, world renowned online radio station) will dedicate live DJ sets to the legendary musicians who helped to inspire two works performed by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Frankie Knuckles and John Coltrane. Additional details to be announced soon. To engage and inspire students and educators with dance and movement, The Music Center’s Hubbard Street Dance Company residency will also include a special matinee performance for middle school and high school students on Friday, September 29. Tickets to Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s performances are available for purchase now by visiting musiccenter.org/hubbardstreet or calling (213) 972-0711 . The Music Center’s Ticket Buyer Assurance Program protects all advance ticket purchases for dance presentations through 2024. Ticketed patrons will receive, at their request, a full refund or a credit for a future performance if Los Angeles County or the State of California elects to restrict or prohibit large gathering events at venues, resulting in the cancellation by The Music Center of dance performances due to COVID-19-related conditions. If an event is postponed or rescheduled, ticketed patrons will be moved automatically to the new performance date; however, patrons may request a refund or credit for the future. All changes must be handled prior to the purchaser’s scheduled performance date. While The Music Center strongly encourages the use of masks on its campus, it no longer requires the use of masks or proof of vaccination/booster for access to its theatres. The Music Center remains committed to the highest standards of safety, sanitation and security to minimize risk for guests, artists and employees. Visit musiccenter.org/safety for information about The Music Center’s continued safety and security measures. In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health directives, The Music Center worked behind-the-scenes during the pandemic to prepare for the return of live performances in its venues, both indoors and outdoors, by implementing new measures and procedures. The Music Center became the first performing arts organization in the nation to earn the UL Verified Healthy Buildings Mark for Indoor Air and Water Quality. The Music Center underwent an extensive assessment process to earn the verification, demonstrating that each of its four venues, Grand Park’s administrative office and The Music Center Annex, has excellent quality for indoor air and water. Additionally, The Music Center has enhanced all cleaning procedures, installed hand sanitizer more dispensers in all public spaces and created a contact-free experience in its public restrooms as well as instituted electronic ticketing and a digital program book, among other measures.

CALENDAR LISTING

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago The Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre Friday, September 29, 2023, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 30, 2023, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, October 1, 2023, 2:00 p.m. Last company appearance at The Music Center: 2015

BUSK Choreography & Direction: Aszure Barton (2009) Stager: Jonathan E. Alsberry Music: V. de Moraes, August Söderman, Ljova, Moondog, Daniel Belanger, Camille Saint-Saëns and             David Wikander Musical Arrangement & Editing: Aszure Barton with Jonathan E. Alsberry Costume Design: Michelle Jank Lighting & Stage Design: Nicole Pearce Coltrane’s Favorite Things (West Coast premiere) Choreography: Lar Lubovitch (2010) Restaged by: Jonathan E. Alsberry Music Recording: John Coltrane Quartet's live performance of  My Favorite Things Music by Richard Rodgers and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Scenery: Jackson Pollock, "Autumn Rhythm (Number 30)" Lighting: Jack Mehler

Dear Frankie (West Coast premiere) Choreography: Rennie Harris (2023) Music: Darrin Ross, Rennie Harris Costume Design: Imani Sade Lighting Design: James Clotfelter Assistant to the Choreographer: Angel D. Anderson Letter to Frankie written by: Rennie Harris  

ABOUT GLORYA KAUFMAN PRESENTS DANCE AT THE MUSIC CENTER Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center , a TMC Arts program, is one of the leading presenters of dance on the West Coast. The celebrated series offers significant works by prestigious ballet and contemporary dance artists from around the world. Now entering its 21 st year, Dance at The Music Center is a powerful force, supporting new works and artists-in-residence projects by today’s most influential companies and choreographers. Performances are complemented by special experiences for both ticket buyers and the public with opportunities to learn more about the choreography and the themes explored, including panels, master classes, dance film festivals, interactive experiences and more. The 21 st season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center is generously supported by Glorya Kaufman Foundation, Center Dance Arts, Dorothy B. Chandler Program Fund and Elisabeth Katte Harris. ABOUT CENTER DANCE ARTS Center Dance Arts is a dynamic community of patrons with a passion for dance. Center Dance Arts members bring dance to life in Los Angeles by promoting The Music Center’s world-class dance performances, extensive educational outreach and free and low-cost community experiences so all may experience the transformative power of dance. For more information, visit musiccenter.org/cda . ABOUT THE MUSIC CENTER The Music Center convenes artists, communities and ideas with the goal of deepening the cultural lives of every resident in Los Angeles County. The $70 million non-profit performing arts organization has two divisions: TMC Arts and TMC Ops. TMC Arts, The Music Center’s programming engine, provides year-round programming inside The Music Center’s four theatres, on Jerry Moss Plaza, outside at Gloria Molina Grand Park—a 12-acre adjacent green space—in schools and other locations all over Los Angeles County and on a digital platform called The Music Center Offstage . TMC Arts presents world-class dance with Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center , free and low-cost public concerts and events, as well as live and digital K–12 arts education programs, workshops, performances, interactive experiences and special events. TMC Ops manages the theatres, the Plaza and Gloria Molina Grand Park, which comprise $2 billion in county assets, on behalf of the County of Los Angeles. The Music Center is also home to four renowned resident companies—Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles Master Chorale, LA Opera and LA Phil. For more information, visit musiccenter.org . Follow The Music Center on Facebook, Instagram and X @MusicCenterLA. ABOUT HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO The mission of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is to bring artists, art, and audiences together to enrich, engage, educate, and change lives through the experience of dance. For 46 years, Hubbard Street has been one of the most original forces in contemporary dance—bringing top choreographers and works to Chicago and beyond. Hubbard Street’s ever-evolving repertory, created by today’s leading choreographic voices, makes HSDC a company that dancers aspire to join and performance venues all over the world are eager to present. To date, the main company has performed globally in 19 countries and 44 US states. At home in Chicago, Hubbard Street performs 20 times a year and delivers renowned education programs in 50 classrooms across 17 Chicagoland schools. HSDC Education utilizes the choreographic process to teach essential problem-solving skills, creativity, and collaboration—expanding our reach beyond traditional concert dance audiences, ensuring that everyone has access to world-class dance and instruction. 

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The Home of House: Evolution of Dance Music in Chicago

Aug 24, 2022

Mural by: Michael Tupak, Flash, B-Boy B, Dez AIR, Skol CMW

Chicago is a longstanding music destination. Many genres are associated with the city, from gospel to Chicago blues, jazz, hip hop, and house music. Chicago’s rich history and famous venues have had a significant role in shaping early electronic music culture. 

It begins at The Warehouse, a three-story factory established as a nightclub in 1977. Still a venue, it is known today as the Music Box. DJ Frankie Knuckles reigned there as musical director until he founded a new club, the Powerplant, in 1983, and fellow Chicago house music legend DJ Ron Hardy took over. Latino and Black gay men mainly frequented the Warehouse. Knuckles redefined dance music by layering songs with repeating beats and basslines. Dance music encapsulated disco and R&B, mixed on vinyl players and reel-to-reels. 

House music is a descendant of Chicago's electronic sounds, featuring four to-the-floor beats made on drum machines, analog synthesizers, and sequencers with soulful vocal samples. The genre burgeoned during the early 80s with disco and Italo disco influences. House was the predecessor to techno and other electronic sounds that became popular in cities across the United States and globally.  

The Warehouse in Chicago

Distinguishable from the percussion-heavy techno associated with Detroit, or New York City’s penchant for garage and soulful sounds, what emerged in Chicago was melodic, funky, and varied. Two Roland drum machines, the boomy bass of the TR-808 (released in 1980) and the punchy TR-909 (released in 1983), standards today in house and hip hop production, were pioneered in the Chicago house scene. 

As the popularity of traditional Chicago house began to decline in its city of origin, it was making its way to the UK, and the Windy City’s dance music morphed into a subgenre known as acid house.  Phuture’s “Acid Tracks”  was the first popular instance. Acid house incorporates another Roland electronic instrument, the  TB-303 synthesizer  (released in 1981), which carries signature squealing basslines. 

Throughout the 80s and 90s, local commercial radio stations broadened the reach of house music in Chicago. Rave and DJ culture from the UK expanded across US clubs, warehouses, and outdoor DIY spaces. Meanwhile, hip hop took Chicago’s mainstream music culture by storm in the 1990s. Electronic music rapidly globalized while remaining relatively underground well until the early 2000s.

Frankie Knuckles Way in Chicago

House and disco are foundations for electronic subgenres that continue to emerge today. In the era of digital downloads, streaming, DAWs, sampling, and genres spawned on the internet with no fixed geographical location, Chicago remains synonymous with house in the dance music scene.

North Coast Music Festival , established in Chicago in 2010, created a highly inclusive mix of electronic, hip hop, and jam band artists. Then with the commercial explosion of EDM, North Coast honed in on the world of raving. 

Chicago is the hub for the midwest’s biggest musical events, from  Lollapalooza  to the weekly street festivals across the city. Electronic music’s many branches of evolving sounds call for extremely diverse events. North Coast’s multi-genre approach responds to this demand for diversity within one festival environment. 

North Coast Music Festival co-founder Michael Berg has been throwing events in Chicago for decades. He speaks about the city’s history leading up to the modern, multi-genre dance music culture that North Coast exemplifies. 

"Chicago has been a central hub of electronic music for decades. The city birthed house music in the early 80s and has pioneered multiple other dance genres like acid house and footwork, giving North Coast the perfect opportunity to directly honor some of the roots of Chicago's musical identity. In the case of North Coast's lineups, that has meant transitioning into an electronic-focused festival - a move that reflects the city's electronic background and helps the festival adjust to Chicago's changing festival landscape.”  

ALIVE COVERAGE

“This year's lineup includes a ton of amazing names. From ascendant artists TSHA and  LP Giobbi,  to global acts like Kaytranada, Porter Robinson, and Armin van Buuren, North Coast 2022 once again represents the breadth of dance music sounds that fans can ultimately trace back to Chicago,” Berg says.  

On the North Coast 2022 lineup, ILLENIUM is a closing headliner in his hometown, where electronic music continues to transcend boundaries. ILLENIUM’s fiery and futuristic melodic bass serves a massive fandom. He is a heavy supplier of the “sadboi” aesthetics that draws from rock and post-hardcore emo lyrics, with soaring synths. 

Local Chicago acts are carrying North Coast’s lineup, and among electronic music’s greatest acts are ones who are shaping the future of Chicago’s dance scenes, including  DOGMA ,  Pau Hana ,  Apollo Xo ,  Djorgiou , and  Jakeshoredrive . 

Starting Friday at the Canopy stage are locals  Steve Gerard  and Mike Lang.  Très Mortimer  kicks off the celebration at the Stadium stage, followed by  Gettoblaster . The duo is made up of Paul Anthony from Chicago and Zach Bletz from Detroit, who blend the respective electronic sounds of their cities. 

Sherm  leads in Saturday at the Canopy and then plays a three-hour set B2B with special guests at the Silent Disco space. The Incendia Fire Pit has an EDM Chicago takeover on Sunday. The festival showcases artists from every realm popular today: dubstep, psytrance, drum & bass, techno, electro, trap and, of course, house. 

While visiting Chicago, you can experience more of the city’s  famous spots  including Sound-Bar, where North Coast afterparties will take place, and others like Smartbar, PRYSM, Radius, and Spybar. 

The majority of NCMF’s ticket buyers began as Illinois locals, and it has since become a destination festival, attracting EDM fans from all over the country. North Coast’s sonic diversity has strengthened with an added focus on female acts and the Black and queer origins of electronic music in the city. 

Upon the drop of this year’s  set times , fans ecstatically commented on the lack of scheduling conflicts, speaking to North Coast’s expertise on what fans of each genre need. 

Berg says, “Electronic music is embedded into the veins of Chicago's music institutions, from the origins of Frankie Knuckles and Warehouse to the ongoing relevance of Gramaphone Records. North Coast is paying homage to that history."

North Coast Music Festival will take place Sept. 2-4 in Bridgeview, IL, at SeatGeek Stadium.  Get tickets at northcoastfestival.com . 

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Aerosmith With Special Guests The Black Crowes

Aerosmith’s 2024 PEACE OUT Tour has officially been rescheduled for January 19! All previously purchased tickets will be honored and ticketholders will receive more info via email.

Four-time GRAMMY® award-winning and diamond-certified rock legends Aerosmith announced their return to the road with PEACE OUT™ featuring special guests The Black Crowes,who are fresh off their first release in nearly 15 years, HAPPINESS BASTARDS . 

Every night will pay homage to the five decades of Aerosmith’s groundbreaking hits as they celebrate over 50 years as America’s greatest rock band. In addition, THX will bring their THX Certified Live! high-fidelity experience on the road, calibrating each arena with leading-edge technology so fans don’t miss a beat of Aerosmith’s classic rock tunes in quality audio.

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Take the Orange, Green, Purple, or Brown lines to Madison. Take #20 Madison buses west.

To the United Center : The #19 United Center Express Bus runs on game days. Service begins 90 minutes prior to game time, runs every 10 minutes until 30 minutes until start of game. Board at stops starting southbound on Michigan and Randolph. Connections are made with Metra trains at Millennium Station, Ogilvie Center and Union Station. The #20 Madison Bus travels west on Madison Street, starting downtown at Wabash Street and runs every few minutes, making all stops to the United Center.

From the United Center : The #19 United Center Express and the #20 Madison buses run every few minutes, departing from the eastbound side of Madison Street. Buses make all stops.

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PLEASE NOTE: Parking lots and Uber lot open to public two and a half hours prior to event time.

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For all special events, each Executive Suite Holder will receive two complimentary parking passes per event ordered. These two passes will be for reserved parking located in lots C and K. In addition, Executive Suite Holders will also receive the option to purchase four additional parking passes in lots C and K for special events.

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Lexus Club Seat members have reserved parking in fenced, well-lit and clearly marked parking lots adjacent to the United Center for all Blackhawks or Bulls preseason, regular season and playoff games. All Lexus Club members who purchase tickets to other events may also purchase one preferred parking pass (in lot C or K) for such events. Details on how to obtain parking for other events are included with the fax transmission announcing each event.

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What is the Uber Zone (Lot E) at the United Center? To increase and streamline the fan experience for guests who take Uber to and from the United Center, the new Uber Zone is located at the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street (Lot E) and will combine the three former Uber locations around the arena. Traffic leading to the three prior Uber pickup locations 1) Zone A, previously located on Wood Street & Washington Blvd. near Lot A, 2) Zone D, previously located on Monroe Street & S. Paulina Street near Lot D and 3) Zone F, previously located on Monroe Street & Seeley Ave. near Lot F will now be directed towards the one new Uber Zone in Lot E.

What is the location of the Uber Zone? The new Uber Zone at the United Center is located on the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street. Fans will enter and exit through the sidewalk entrance located on Madison Street and cars will enter the lot by turning into the Uber Zone from Madison Street. Cars will exit on Warren Blvd.

What are the hours of operation? On event days, the Uber Zone is open two hours prior to games, concerts and events and will remain open up to one hour after each event. On non-event days, the Uber Zone will be closed and Uber rides will be dropped off near the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street outside of the Uber Zone.

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What is the dropoff process for fans? When Uber drivers arrive with guests at the United Center, they will be instructed to pull into the Uber Zone from the Madison Street side to drop off fans. Once exiting the vehicle, guests will walk out of the main entrance located on the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street. Guests can cross the street to the United Center and are encouraged to enter through the East Atrium.

Concerts & Events

Friday, May 31, 2024  ·  8:00 PM CDT

Andrew Bird

An evening of performance and conversation.

4544 N Lincoln Ave · Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall · 773.728.6000

• $70 General Public
• $68 Members

Tickets do sometimes become available in the days before the show. Add yourself to our email notification list below.

The Old Town School of Folk Music and Chicago Humanities present Andrew Bird for a very special night of music and conversation.

Andrew Bird is an internationally acclaimed, Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, whistler, and songwriter. Since beginning his recording career in 1997, Bird has released 17 albums and performed extensively across the globe, headlining concerts at Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and festivals worldwide. Bird has been a featured TED Talks presenter, a New Yorker Festival guest, and an op-ed contributor for the New York Times. He performed as the Whistling Caruso in Disney's The Muppets and scored the FX Series Baskets. Shortly after receiving his 2020 Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album, with My Finest Work Yet, Bird made his professional acting debut in the cast of Fargo's fourth season. Bird released his latest album, Inside Problems, on Loma Vista Recordings in June of 2022.

This event is a co-presentation with Chicago Humanities and Old Town School of Folk Music.

By purchasing a ticket to tonight's event, you are agreeing to receive emails from Chicago Humanities.

At the artist's request, $1 per ticket has been added to the ticket fee to benefit the Hope This Helps fund. The mission of the Hope This Helps fund is simple…To identify areas of need and provide financial support to deserving organizations doing the good work. Established in 2022, areas of current interest include gun violence prevention, environmental justice, and the preservation of wild spaces and parklands.

https://www.andrewbird.net/

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Aerosmith to resume farewell tour, including January show in Chicago

After postponing concert during steven tyler’s recovery from vocal cord damage, rockers plan to get back on the road this fall.

Joe Perry (left) and Steven Tyler perform at an September Aerosmith concert in Philadelphia.

Lisa Lake/Getty Images

Aerosmith will be back in the saddle again this fall.

The veteran rockers, who postponed their Peace Out farewell tour after only a few shows in September, will return for a 40-date run starting Sept. 20 in Pittsburgh. The tour includes a rescheduled Chicago date on Jan. 19 at the United Center.

All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new dates, while new tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday via ticketmaster.com . For those who previously purchased tickets and cannot attend the rescheduled concerts, refunds will be available at point of purchase.

As with the original dates, The Black Crowes will open for Aerosmith.

After playing only a handful of concerts in September, the “Walk This Way” heroes had to hit pause after singer Steven Tyler damaged his vocal cords. He also fractured his larynx and was given doctor’s orders not to sing for 30 days.

But Aerosmith opted to give Tyler ample time to recuperate and scuttled all of its shows until 2024.

The wiry frontman, known for his searing rock yowls, said at the time that the injury occurred at a Sept. 10 show in New York and that the vocal cord damage “led to subsequent bleeding.”

25th anniversary tour of 'Chicago' brings 'Razzle Dazzle' to OKC: What you need to know

More than 25 years after its wildly successful revival, the iconic musical "Chicago" has lost none of its "Razzle Dazzle."

While the themes are still as timely as ever, the Tony Award-winning tale of murder, greed and all that jazz is literally the stuff of legends: Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse wrote the book for the show, a sultry and sophisticated satire about the American press, criminal justice system and obsession with celebrity. "Chicago" boasts one of the all-time great musical theater scores , with music by John Kander and lyrics by Ebb, and it remains one of the most popular showcases for Fosse's distinctively jazzy choreography .

An add-on special to OKC Broadway's 2023-24 subscription season , the national tour of "Chicago" is playing Oklahoma City for the first time in a decade , with performances continuing through Sunday, April 14 at Civic Center Music Hall.

What is the musical 'Chicago' about?

The longest-running show currently playing on Broadway , "Chicago" is set in the 1920s and inspired by true events. Initially written as a 1926 play by journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins , the musical adaptation's original Broadway production bowed in 1975 and starred Chita Rivera , Jerry Orbach and Gwen Verdon . It ran for more than 900 performances and was nominated for 11 Tonys, but shut out by another dance smash, "A Chorus Line."

Starring Bebe Neuwirth, Joel Grey and Ann Reinking — a replacement performer from the original Broadway production who reprised the role and choreographed the show "in the style of Bob Fosse" — it was the 1996 Broadway revival that turned "Chicago" into an iconic song-and-dance extravaganza. It earned six Tonys, including best musical revival, and is being celebrated with the 25th anniversary tour now playing OKC.

The deliciously dastardly story follows Roxie Hart (2021 Oklahoma City University alumnus Katie Frieden ), a vain and ambitious housewife and nightclub dancer who dreams of becoming a vaudeville star. When her illicit lover, Fred Casely (Ed Gotthelf), tries to ditch her, hotheaded Roxie guns him down and tries to get her devoted but dim-witted husband Amos (Robert Quiles) to take the blame.

That doesn't work, so Roxie is locked up on the women's block in the Cook County Jail, where several "merry murderesses" are awaiting trial for killing their no-good husbands or boyfriends. The block is run by corrupt Matron "Mama" Morton (Illeana "illy" Kirven), who is happy to help the inmates use the charges against them to gain fame and fortunate — but only for a price.

Desperate to avoid being hanged for murder, Roxie sets out to outwit the public, the press and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly (Kailin Brown), a cynical ex-vaudeville star rightly accused of slaying her cheating husband and sister in a jealous rage. Roxie enlists Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer, Billy Flynn (Connor Sullivan), to both cast her as a sympathetic figure so she can avoid conviction and nab her enough scandalous headlines so that she can launch the show-biz career of her dreams.

How does the 25th anniversary tour of 'Chicago' measure up to all that jazz?

It's not hard to figure out why "Chicago" is the second-longest running title in Broadway history: The show boasts a tantalizing trio of iconic smashes with "All That Jazz," "Razzle Dazzle" and "Cell Block Tango," but there's not a single dud on the list of musical numbers.

And for dance fans, "Chicago" is arguably the ultimate musical theater experience. The 25th anniversary tour is directed by David Hyslop with choreography by Gregory Butler based on the original direction by Tony winner Walter Bobbie and Reinking's original Tony-winning choreography. Although it leaves out the finger snaps, it maintains the rest of Fosse's signature moves, from the sultry shoulder, hip and wrist rolls and the cheekily turned-in knees to the famous jazz hands and the canny use of chairs, walking sticks and bowler hats.

The minimalist set design by Tony winner John Lee Beatty puts the song-and-dance spectacle right up front: The stage is dominated by a multi-tiered riser showcasing the sizzling jazz orchestra under the direction of Cameron Blake Kinnear, who frequently interacts with the actors and mugs for the crowd.

The skilled and athletic ensemble clearly was assembled with a focus on making sure the dance sequences dazzle, with plenty of dizzying spins, high kicks and jaw-dropping lifts that often had the audience for the April 10 OKC performance audibly oohing and ahhing.

There were moments that it seemed like the show had sacrified vocal power in favor of dance prowess: The singers were occasionally drowned out by the musicians on challenging yet crowd-pleasing numbers like "Cell Block Tango" and "All That Jazz." But their dynamite dancing made it seem like a worthwhile trade-off.

Brown possessed both the skills and the style to wow on the tricky dance-centric number "When Velma Takes the Stand," but she and Kirven also delivered a duet on "Class" that was both vocally pleasing and ripe with irony. Quiles' turn as Roxie's sad-sack spouse never failed to provoke sympathy, especially on his stellar white-gloved rendition of Amos' ode "Mister Cellophane."

A graduate of OCU's Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment, Frieden proved she is a triple-threat in the making, delivering sharp dance moves, expressive acting and stalwart vocals on her big numbers "Roxie" and "Me and My Baby." She and Sullivan practically stopped the show with their excellent teamwork on "We Both Reached for the Gun," as Billy literally controls Roxie like a ventriloquist with a dummy during a pivotal press conference.

Starring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere, Rob Marshall's Oscar-winning 2002 film adaptation helped popularize "Chicago" and its songs. But for most musical theater fans (myself included), it's practically impossible for a movie to beat the energy of a live performance, especially when it comes to a show as razzle-dazzle as "Chicago."

• When : Through April 14.
• Where : Civic Center, 201 N Walker.
• Tickets : https://www.okcbroadway.com/chicago

Entertainment | What to do in Chicago: ‘Batman’ in concert,…

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Entertainment, entertainment | what to do in chicago: ‘batman’ in concert, dueling art fairs and chance the rapper.

Chicago Latino Film Festival : This film festival celebrates its 40th year with 50 selected features and 35 shorts. Most films will be shown at Landmark Century Theatres, and the Cervantes Institute will host special events. The Davis Theatre hosted the opening night. Through April 22 at various venues; more information at chicagolatinofilmfestival.org

Ronny Chieng : The comedian and actor brings his Love To Hate It Tour to Chicago. Chieng has two stand-up comedy specials on Netflix and has starred in movies including “Crazy Rich Asians” and Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” 7 p.m. April 13 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets at msg.com

Chance the Rapper: With Chance headlining and DJ Oreo opening, this all-ages benefit concert at the Ramova in Bridgeport supports SocialWorks, a youth empowerment program focusing on arts and education founded by Chance.  7 p.m. April 14 at Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St.; tickets $99.50-$125.50 at ramovachicago.com . Afterparty at 10:30 p.m. is an extra $30 (ages 21+).

“The Trial of Pericles”: This annual event by the National Hellenic Museum has a clever premise: Take a trial or debate from ancient Greece and argue it anew, with present-day legal all-stars populating the courtroom. Back in 451 B.C.E., Pericles changed the Athenian Constitution to restrict citizenship and voting rights, though he died before his actions ever reached a courtroom. At the Harris Theater, Katerina Alexopoulos from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will play a prosecuting attorney and retired Judge Paul Lillios will take on the thankless task of playing Pericles. The audience gets to vote on the verdict. 7 p.m. April 17 at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. at Millennium Park; tickets $52.50-$102.50 at www.harristheaterchicago.org

“Batman 1989 – 35th Anniversary Concert”: Revisit the classic DC superhero movie with the Chicago Philharmonic’s 50-person orchestra performing the music. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite superhero. 7:30 p.m. April 13 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 East Ida B. Wells Drive.; tickets from $69 at auditoriumtheatre.org

The Other Art Fair / EXPO Chicago : Art lovers rejoice, The Other Art Fair returns this weekend with original works of art from more than 110 emerging artists from around the world. There will also be workshops, an art swap, murals, food trucks and DJ sets. Meanwhile, EXPO Chicago also returns this weekend. Highlights include a keynote with Chance the Rapper, Asma Naeem of the Baltimore Museum of Art, and Nate Freeman of Vanity Fair on hip hop and its influence on international contemporary art, as well as a discussion with curator Carla Acevedo-Yates of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and artists Candida Alvarez and Omar Velázquez on the importance of Puerto Rican representation in local collections and institutions.  The Other Art Fair is through April 14 at Artifact Events, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave.; tickets at theotherartfair.com . EXPO Chicago runs through April 14 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.; single day admission tickets start at $40 at expochicago.com.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: The New York modern dance company makes its popular annual turn to the Loop this next week, with three separate programs on alternate nights. April 17-21 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets from $40 at www.auditoriumtheatre.org

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Little Big Town, Sugarland Announce 2024 ‘Take Me Home’ Tour

By Joseph Hudak

Joseph Hudak

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

On the heels of their CMT Music Awards collaboration, Little Big Town and Sugarland have announced the “Take Me Home” Tour. Titled after the song they performed on the CMTs — Phil Collins ’ 1985 hit from No Jacket Required — the trek will kick off Oct. 24 in Greenville, South Carolina, and conclude Dec. 13 with a show at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Country trio the Castellows will open all dates.

This isn’t the first time the quartet of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Philip Sweet shared the stage with Sugarland, the reunited duo of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. In 2008, Little Big Town, Sugarland, and Jake Owen performed Dream Academy’s 1985 single “Life in a Northern Town” at the CMT Awards, and LBT would join Sugarland on their Incredible Machine Tour a few years later.

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Tickets for the tour, produced by LiveNation and Sandbox Live, go on sale April 12. The groups’ collab on “Take Me Home” will be released as a single.

“Take Me Home” Tour Dates: Oct. 24  – Greenville, SC @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena Oct. 25 – Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena Oct. 26 – Columbus, OH  @ Nationwide Arena Oct. 31 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden Nov. 1 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena Nov. 2 – Buffalo, NY @ KeyBank Center Nov. 7 – Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center Nov. 8 – Milwaukee, WI @ Fiserv Forum Nov. 9 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena Nov. 14 – Kansas City, MO @ T-Mobile Center Nov. 15 – Sioux Falls, SD  @ Denny Sanford PREMIER Center Nov. 16 – Moline, IL @ Vibrant Arena at The MARK Nov. 21 – Austin, TX @ Moody Center Nov. 22 – Fort Worth, TX  @ Dickies Arena Nov. 23 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center Dec. 11 – Biloxi, MS @ Mississippi Coast Coliseum Dec. 12 – Duluth, GA @ Gas South Arena Dec. 13 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena

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