More than 250 dance lovers attended the Chicago Dancing Festival Gala at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Aug. 28. The event honored festival co-founder, renowned choreographer and Chicago native Lar Lubovitch and featured performances from five of the top dance companies in the country. The gala was a benefit for the Chicago Dancing Festival, a five-day series of free dance programs in the city, which recently celebrated its ninth year with performances Aug. 25-29.
Following a reception, guests were treated to an hourlong program in the museum’s Edlis Neeson Theater. Peter Taub, MCA director of performance programs, introduced festival co-founder/co-artistic director Jay Franke and board member David Herro. Franke spoke about the concept behind the country’s largest free dance festival. “We feel that art belongs to everyone and no ticket price should stand in the way of experiencing this art form,” he said.
Herro introduced Lubovitch, who founded his renowned modern dance troupe, Lar Lubovitch Company, in 1968. Lubovitch has also received numerous accolades for his creative work in ballet, musical theater and television.
Lubovitch, who co-founded the festival in 2006 with his “co-conspirator” Franke, said, “While I may have a gift for making art out of dance, Jay has a gift for making art out of life.”
The dance portion of the program opened with soloist/choreographer Brian Brooks (Brian Brooks Moving Company) performing “Retrograde.” The Joffrey Ballet presented “My Funny Valentine,” a romantic pas de deux choreographed by Lubovitch and featuring dancers April Daley and Fabrice Calmels. Sarah Lane and Joseph Gorak, soloists from American Ballet Theatre, performed the “Blue Bird” pas de deux from “The Sleeping Beauty.” Miami City Ballet dancers presented an exuberant performance of George Balanchine’s “Allegro Brillante,” which brought cheers from the crowd.
Kristen Foote, a principal dancer from Limon Dance Company, performed “Scriabin Dances,” also choreographed by Lubovitch. “I have a dance crush on Lar,” Foote said. “He’s wonderful and warm and so respectful of dancers’ artistry. His choreography makes dancers feel good. He’s a genius.”
The evening concluded on the MCA’s terrace, where guests enjoyed a lavish buffet catered by Culinaire and music from DJ Matt Roan.
Chaired by Franke, the event raised more than $150,000 to support the Chicago Dancing Festival’s mission to create new audiences for dance and to further Chicago’s reputation as an international dance destination.
Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.
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