One dancer bears an odd resemblance to Michael Flatley, wears tight pants and does an Irish jig. Another has a strange obsession with clean underwear. A third fits pool cues into the choreography.
Who says there’s no diversity in Chicago’s dance scene?
By far the most mainstream of three upcoming dance events, “Riverdance–The Show,” the hugely popular Irish song-and-dance celebration that began in Dublin, Ireland, four years ago, brings 80 dancers, musicians and singers to Chicago. Smaller but just as sprightly, the NEXT Dance Festival this weekend features the 58 Group, dancing about underwear in “Gauche,” breakdancing about the afterlife in “Still Water” and honoring singers Peggy Lee and Dean Martin in “It Ain’t Necessarily So.” Finally, longtime local dancer (and Northwestern University dance faculty member) Melissa Thodos’ troupe incorporates all kinds of disparate things, from New Age mysticism to tri-parallel bars and pool cues. The group’s new winter concert includes “Territories,” “Chant” and “SYSTEMatic ERROR.”
– “Riverdance–The Show” is at 7 p.m. Friday at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy.; the show runs through Feb. 21. Tickets: $15.50-$67.50. 312-902-1500 (Ticketmaster).
– The NEXT Dance Festival features the 58 Group, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the New Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave. Tickets: $15. (A children’s matinee is 3:30 p.m. Sunday; tickets: $3 for children, $10 for adults). 773-583-2995.
– Melissa Thodos and Dancers’ winter concert is at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, at the Harold Washington Library Auditorium, 400 S. State St. Tickets: $20. 312-902-1500 (Ticketmaster).
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