press kit - Giordano Dance Chicago

Gus Giordano Founder | Nan Giordano Artistic Director | Michael McStraw Executive Director
PRESS KIT
“A burst of sheer dance joy that left the
audience breathless and ready for more.”
Dance Magazine
giordanodance.org
Giordano Dance Chicago
Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC) is the original jazz dance company, captivating audiences worldwide with dynamic
performances and the diversity and wide appeal of its repertoire. The mission of Giordano Dance Chicago is to create
and present new and innovative jazz dance choreography, often redefining and expanding the very definition of jazz
dance, and to bring this invaluable American art form to audiences and students of all ages and from all ethnic
backgrounds. Whether on the stage or in the classroom, we strive to enrich lives through dance. Known for its highenergy, high-impact artistry, GDC continually receives critical and audience acclaim worldwide.
Giordano Dance Chicago began in 1963 as Dance Incorporated Chicago and became the Giordano Dance Company in
1966 when many of its live performances were broadcast by Chicago’s Public Television Station, WTTW. In 1968 the
company performed American jazz dance for the touring Bolshoi Ballet who were so impressed that an invitation was
extended, and the company eventually toured the Soviet Union in 1974, the first jazz dance company to do so.
For 50 years, GDC has brought the excitement of American jazz dancing to audiences throughout the United States and
in countries around the world — including Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Russia, the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada,
Mexico, Guatemala, and Japan. GDC serves as host performing company at Jazz Dance World Congress, a biannual event
which has been held at many national and international sites, including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., at the
University at Buffalo, Chukio University in Japan, Germany, Mexico, Costa Rica, Phoenix, the City of Chicago, and in 2012
at Point Park University.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the company “demonstrated that it now belongs in the front ranks of this city’s
resident companies.” In 2004, the company received a Chicago Dance Award for its production and performance of Ron
De Jesus’ Prey, “representing the vital new directions taken by the company.” In 2012, Dance Magazine raved that the
company is a “burst of pure dance joy that left the audience breathless and ready for more.”
In addition to its work on the stage, Giordano Dance Chicago enriches lives through outreach programs and activities
which meet the needs of diverse and underserved communities. Over 300 classes are taught each year in the company’s
signature program, Jazz Dance/Science & Health which just completed its sixth year in three underserved elementary
schools in Chicago. This valuable program teaches state-mandated learning targets for nutrition, health and science
through dance-centric classroom activities. Participating students from this program and from many other social service
and community organizations are given complimentary tickets to view GDC in performance, thereby making the bridge
from classroom to stage. Innovation and success in creating school performances, residencies, choreographic projects,
and workshops are a hallmark of Giordano Dance Chicago’s extraordinary legacy.
Nan Giordano began as Associate Director in the 80’s and since 1993, has served as Artistic Director and guided the
development of a large and diverse repertoire. Executive Director Michael McStraw is responsible for the ongoing
development and strategic growth of the organization, securing the resources needed to support the mission and
programs of Giordano Dance Chicago.
New Home
After 50 years in Evanston, Giordano Dance Chicago has
moved its rehearsal/teaching space and administrative office
into the heart of downtown Chicago!
On September 1, 2012 Giordano Dance Chicago joined
several other Chicago-based dance companies as part of the
exciting American Rhythm Center (ARC). Created and
developed by Chicago Human Rhythm Project, the ARC is a
project designed to help Chicago performing arts
organizations find affordable programmatic and
administrative space all the while increasing earned revenue
through public dance classes. The decision to officially
become part of ARC as a resident company came about after
more than 18 months of strategizing, exploration, and
consideration of numerous relocation options, and was
unanimously approved by Giordano Dance Chicago’s Board of
Directors in February 2012.
Giordano Dance Chicago views its participation in ARC as a
transformative opportunity that augments the Company‘s
stellar reputation for artistic and organizational excellence.
Located at 410 South Michigan Avenue in the historic Fine
Arts Building and situated proudly in the city’s dance corridor,
the Company is now rehearsing and offering public classes in
the newly remodeled studios as part of this new collaboration
with ARC. And just a few short blocks south of the Fine Arts
Building, the company's administrative office is now in the
beautiful South Loop.
"Dance in Chicago will be the heartbeat of the entire country."
- Honorable Mayor Rahm Emanuel
50th Anniversary Season Choreographers
Alexander Ekman
Chicago Premiere – August 20, 2012
Commissioned by the Chicago Dancing Festival
Alexander Ekman (Sweden) danced with Royal Swedish Ballet, Cullberg Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater
2. In the annual Choreography Workshop (‘Switch’) he attracted attention for his individual style, full of original ideas. In 2006
he decided to devote himself completely to choreography. Now Mr. Ekman is a highly sought-after choreographer and has
created numerous works for several companies around the world including the Cullberg Ballet, Goteborg Ballet, Iceland Dance
Company, Bern Ballet, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Ballet de l’Opéra du Rhin, Royal Swedish Ballet, the Norwegian National
Ballet, the Europa Danse Festival in France, and the Athens International Dance Festival. For Nederlands Dans Theater 2 he
made FLOCKWORK in 2006, LAB 15 (Nederlands Dans Theater 1) in 2007, and CACTI in 2010 (Nederlands Dans Theater 2). CACTI
was nominated for the Dutch danceprize ‘Swan best danceproduction 2010’. In his years as choreographer, Mr. Ekman has
proved that he is an artistic multi-talent. For one thing, he often makes film productions as well. Though usually integrated in
the young Swede's choreographies, these productions also arouse more and more interest on their own. In June 2009, for
instance, he made a dance film, 40 M UNDER, for and with the Cullberg Ballet which was broadcasted on National Swedish
television. In the autumn of that same year he collaborated with Mats Ek who asked him to make video projections for his new
theatre play called Håll Plats. Mr. Ekman also made a museum installation for the Modern Museum in Stockholm, in which the
dancers of the Cullberg Ballet were the art objects. Moreover, he has composed music for many of his dance pieces, with a
wide variety of rhythms. Future commissions include Royal Swedish Ballet, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Norwegian
National Ballet, Boston Ballet and Dresden Ballet. Ekman is associate choreographer of Nederlands Dans Theater.
Autumn Eckman
World Premiere – October 26, 2012
Ms. Eckman, an Atlanta native, is an Artistic Associate of Giordano Dance Chicago and Director of Giordano II.
She received her classical training from the Houston Ballet Academy under Clara Cravey and Steve Brulee, and
from the late Tom Pazik of the Atlanta Ballet. In 2000, Autumn moved Chicago and began her performance career as a Giordano
company member. She has also danced with other renowned companies including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Ron De Jesus
Dance, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Lucky Plush Productions, State Street Ballet (Santa Barbara) and the Cangelosi Dance
Project. Autumn has created several works for the Giordano main and second companies and has been commissioned by
companies, schools and universities including DanceWorks Chicago, Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan
University, Northern Illinois University, KRESA, State Street Ballet, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Missouri Contemporary Ballet,
State Street Ballet, Contemporary Dance South, Inaside Chicago Dance, Momenta, NoMi LaMad and the Vittaca Dance Project.
She was awarded Dance Chicago’s “New Artistic Voice” in 2009, and named as a "standout choreographer” for 2010. The
Chicago Tribune recently featured her in the Fall Dance Preview 2012 in which Dance Critic, Sid Smith described her as “bright
choreographic stylist , mixing solid design with color and sparkle.” Autumn is also dedicated to training dancers in ballet,
modern, jazz and contemporary dance. She has been a full time instructor of dance at Northern Illinois University, and is
currently on faculty at several Chicagoland area studios. Autumn also teaches nationally for schools and festivals including the
Florida Dance Festival, State Street Ballet summer session, and Summer Dance Lab in Walla Walla, Wa.
Liz Imperio
World Premiere - March 21, 2013
Ms. Imperio has established herself as a major director and choreographer in the entertainment industry,
including the staging and choreography for Jennifer Lopez’s “Live From Puerto Rico” concert;
director/choreographer of Gloria Estefan’s last 3 world concert tours; and two world tours for Madonna – “Re-invention Tour”
and “Confessions” Tour. A proud Cuban-American, Liz was born and raised in Hollywood, California. Her work caught the eye of
famed choreographer Kenny Ortega at the tender age of 15 and was hired as Mr. Ortega’s Associate Choreographer for 6 years
before breaking out on her own. Her credits make her one of the most sought after choreographers in the world, including:
“The Latin Grammys (last 3 years); American Music Awards; “United We Stand” with Michael Jackson and *NSYNC” (assoc. dir.);
ABC’s 50th Anniversary Celebration; Disney Channel’s “Gotta Kick It Up”; James L. Brook’s feature film “Spanglish”, CBS TV
series “Dirty Dancing” and commercials for Jack In The Box, and many others. Liz Imperio has trained such young stars as Hilary
Duff, America Ferrera, Renee Olstead, Camille Guaty, Myra, and Valeria. Her most touching assignment was working closely
with Gloria Estefan after her major accident years ago and not only assisted with the physical therapy to help her walk again,
but later choreographed Gloria’s comeback concert tour. Liz Imperio’s directing, teaching and choreography works have been
commissioned all over the United States and Europe. She has worked with such dance companies and dance conventions as:
Giordano Dance Chicago; The Houston Metropolitan Dance Theatre; K-Broadway from Japan; West Coast Dance Explosion;
Tremaine Dance Convention; Company Dance; Break the Floor Productions; as well as numerous European companies from
Italy to England. Additionally, Ms. Imperio just recently choreographed a spectacular number for Jennifer Lopez on the
American Music Awards and special feature Latin number on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Liz Imperio is very proud to be a
partner and founder of her own Los Angeles-based production company Imperio Productions.
50th Anniversary Season 2012 DATES EVENT ACTIVITY LOCATION June 21 50th Anniversary Launch Party, Fine Arts Building Benefit Chicago, IL June 30 GIRF Gala Party Private Event Chicago, IL July 19 CNADM Performance & Teaching Chicago, IL August 1‐5 Jazz Dance World Congress Performance & Teaching Pittsburgh, PA August 18 Dance for Life Performance Chicago, IL August 20 Chicago Dancing Festival, Harris Theater Performance Chicago, IL August 22 Chicago Dancing Festival, Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University Special Encore Performance Chicago, IL September 13 Arts Midwest Showcase Performance Grand Rapids, MI September 27 Dancing With The Giordano Stars Benefit Chicago, IL October 1 ‐ 24 American Rhythm Center – Introductory Session Teaching Chicago, IL October 7 College of Lake County Performance & Teaching Grayslake, IL October 9 Barrington High School Performance Barrington, IL October 10‐12 & 15‐16 Barrington High School Teaching Barrington, IL October 26 Urban Gateways, Harris Theater Performance Chicago, IL October 26 & 27 Fall Home Season, Harris Theater Performances Chicago, IL October 29 – December 22 American Rhythm Center – Fall Session Teaching Chicago, IL October 30 Hyatt Corporate Private Event Chicago, IL November 7‐15 European Tour Performances Germany 2013 DATES EVENT ACTIVITY LOCATION January 7 – March 17 American Rhythm Center – Winter Session Teaching Chicago, IL January 13, 2013 Company Auditions/Ailey Studios Auditions New York, NY January 13 APAP Showcase/Ailey Citigroup Theater Performance New York, NY January 23‐26 Missouri State University Residency Springfield, MO February 2 Giordano Choreography Project Performance Barrington, IL February 4‐14 Hawaiian Tour Performances & Classes Hawaii February 21‐23 University of WI – Platteville Residency Platteville, WI February 25‐27 University of WI – Stevens Point Residency Stevens Point, WI March 3 Company Auditions Auditions Chicago, IL March 9 Dance for Life Palm Springs Performance Palm Springs, CA March 18 – May 26 American Rhythm Center – Spring Session Teaching Chicago, IL March 21‐23 Spring Home Season, Harris Theater Performances Chicago, IL March 22 Eat to the Beat, Harris Theater Performance Chicago, IL March 23 50th Anniversary Gala, Pritzker Stage Benefit Chicago, IL March 27‐30 University of Nevada Choreography Project Reno, NV April 1 – June 4 3 Chicago Public Schools Jazz Dance / Science & Health 300 Classes Chicago, IL April 2‐7 IS Sanat‐Istanbul Performances Istanbul, Turkey April 11 Focus on the Arts Performance & Classes Highland Park, IL April 11‐14 International de Jazz Dance Classes Sao Palo, Brazil April 13 North Central College Performance & Classes Naperville, IL April 16‐19 Wayne County Community College Residency Detroit, MI May 1‐5 University of Nevada Performance Reno, NV May 13 Illinois High School Dance Festival Performance & Classes Chicago, IL May 15 Music + Movement Festival Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University Performance Chicago, IL June 21‐23 Giordano Workshop Performance & Classes Chicago, IL Artistic & Executive Leadership
NAN GIORDANO has served as Artistic Director of Giordano Dance Chicago since 1993 and has guided the
development of a large and diverse repertoire. Nan was trained by her father and mentor, Gus Giordano, creator
of the world-renowned Giordano Jazz Dance Technique. She had an extensive performing career in concert dance,
as well as in the industrial and fashion worlds. Her concert dance experience began with Giordano Dance Theatre,
before apprenticing and then joining Giordano Dance Chicago. With her father at the helm of the company, she
traveled and performed extensively around the world. She also had the opportunity to perform in numerous
WTTW dance television specials choreographed by her father including the Emmy Award winning “The Rehearsal.”
When an injury ended her performing career, Nan became Associate Director of the company and was
instrumental in establishing a working Board of Directors, which has evolved into today’s three separate Boards. In
the last nineteen years, under Nan’s leadership, GDC has established a high profile and reputation for excellence in
the Chicago dance community, as well as in the national and international dance worlds. Sid Smith, dance critic of
the Chicago Tribune in his glowing review of one new work, wrote that it was “further evidence of artistic director
Nan Giordano’s shrewd instincts for choreographic talent and excellent dancers.” Nan’s concert choreography
credits include 4 works in Giordano Dance Chicago’s repertoire. On the commercial side Nan has choreographed
several television commercials. Nan teaches master classes throughout the United States, and has toured
internationally as guest teacher in many countries including Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Guatemala, and
Mexico. She is also the driving force behind GDC’s major outreach program in Chicago public schools. Nan received
the Manford Byrd Jr. Wizard of Oz Award for Outstanding Service from Howland School of the Arts. Nan is Artistic
Director of the Jazz Dance World Congress (JDWC), a biannual event that draws dancers, choreographers, and
teachers from more than 30 countries. JDWC has been held at many national and international sites, including
Japan, Mexico, Costa Rica, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and in the city
of Chicago, co-presented with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. JDWC was recently co-presented by
GDC and Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, August 1-5, 2012. Nan served three years on the Illinois Arts
Council Dance Panel and also served on the Community Arts Assistance Program Dance Panel for the City of
Chicago, Department of Cultural Affairs. She currently serves on the International Ballet Competition, National
Honorary Committee and the Advisory Board for Dance Magazine.
MICHAEL McSTRAW, Executive Director, is a member of and outstanding advocate for the Chicago performing arts
community. As a professional dancer, semi-professional musician, arts administrator, dance educator, board
member, and arts patron, Michael has been a positive and constant influence in the community for the past 28
years. Raised in Western Pennsylvania, his life includes a BS degree in Geology from Allegheny College, a Master of
Fine Arts degree in Modern Dance from the University of Michigan, and a stint as an agricultural extension agent in
the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, West Africa. He danced extensively with the area’s premier contemporary dance
companies, including Mordine & Company Dance Theater, an organization he also managed, Jan Erkert & Dancers,
and DanceLoop Chicago, of which he is a founding member. Michael was a member of and soloist with Chicago
Master Singers for over 12 years, and has performed extensively at numerous area churches and synagogues.
Michael’s return to full-time arts administration ends a successful 17-year career in the pharmaceutical industry,
most notably with G.D. Searle and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America. He is an experienced marketing,
operations, and project management professional with special skill in developing strategic long-term solutions for
complex business issues.
Boards & Staff Board of Directors Tim Ryan ‐ President Sr.Vice President, Bliss PR Susan Flynn ‐ Vice President St. Clement School, Board of Directors Tina Monaghan ‐ Secretary Marketing Associate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Gorman Cook ‐ Treasurer Vice President, William Blair and Company Matthew Ehrhard, President, Hewitt Horn Construction & Development Nan Giordano, Artistic Director, Giordano Dance Chicago Sandra Golub, Volunteer, Misericordia and Latin School of Chicago Asad Khan, Owner/Agent, Asad Khan Insurance Agency K.K. Neilsen‐Cleland, Owner, KKNC Consulting Laura Parry, Attorney, Klevatt & Associates Sally Venverloh, Sr. Vice President Wealth & Strategies Advisor, U.S. Trust Giordano Ambassadors Advisory Board Dina Gallay – Chair Tremaine Atkinson Linda Berz Silvia Bicalho Pam Crutchfield
Ben Hodge Mort Kessler Cindy Chereskin
Pam Kendall Molly Newell Elizabeth von Peterffy Harriet Ross Scott Silberstein Beth Stephens Staff Founder ..................................................................................................................................................... Gus Giordano Artistic Director ........................................................................................................................................ Nan Giordano Executive Director ............................................................................................................................... Michael McStraw Assistant Artistic Director ......................................................................................................................... Homer Bryant Artistic Associate, Director Giordano II ................................................................................................ Autumn Eckman Marketing & Outreach Manager ..................................................................................................................... Joel Solari Office Manager/Bookkeeper……………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………Emily Nelson Administrative Assistant……………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………Sarah Seeber Consultant ..................................................................................................................................................... Ben Hodge Technical Director .................................................................................................................................. Jacob Snodgrass Costume Mistress ............................................................................................................................... Ashley Rockwood Photography/Videography ................................................................................................... Gorman Cook, HMS Media Official Provider of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy ..................................................................... AthletiCo Graphic Designer ............................................................................................................................................. Joel Solari Marketing, Public Relations and Advertising Agency ..................................................................Carol Fox & Associates
Educational Outreach
Partner Organizations
Cameron Community School | Chase Elementary School | Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center
Children’s Home & Aid | Family Matters Teen Girls Program | Lowell Community School
Loyola Park | Richard J. Oglesby | Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies
Salvation Army Teen Reach Praise Dance Group | Swift Elementary Specialty School
We enrich lives through dance. Whether in school classrooms, theaters, parks, or elsewhere, we believe that the
dedication and commitment it takes to dance and to participate in the arts experience will build a strong and
lasting foundation for life. Our outreach programs serve youth and their families in several ways:
Jazz Dance/Science & Health is a curriculum-based science and health program via a sequential in-class residency,
integrating dance classes with the Chicago Public Schools health and science curriculum. The program is comprised
of 16 one hour dance classes taught to students in the Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies, Stagg
Elementary and Swift Elementary Specialty School. In each school, two dance classes per week are taught for eight
weeks each during the residency. The concentrations of this program, which are basic anatomy, nutrition,
relationship of body systems, and avoiding injury, are designed for 4th and 7th grades.
Giordano Dance Ticket Program serves thousands of area students and families from the communities and
organizations listed above with free performance tickets.
Jazz Dance Beat…Then and Now has been performed for more than 60,000 people of all ages and backgrounds in
cities across the United States and around the world. The program is led by an on-stage narrator, performed by the
entire Giordano Dance Chicago company in full costume, and culminates in a question and answer session
between the audience and the dancers. Jazz Dance Beat is performed on stages and in gymnasiums, and jazz dance
master classes are often arranged in conjunction with this program.
Giordano Master Classes and Workshops are offered in schools, colleges and other facilities and provide a unique
opportunity to learn the Giordano technique, style, and repertoire.
These efforts are made possible, in part, by support from the Polk Bros. Foundation, the Chauncey and Marion D.
McCormick Family Foundation, the Crown Family Philanthropies, the Alphawood Foundation, the Helen Brach
Foundation, the Harry F. Chaddick and Elaine Chaddick Foundation, Inc., and many individual contributors.
Recent Critical Acclaim
“A burst of pure dance joy that left the audience breathless and ready for more.”
Dance Magazine 2012
“Two hours of WOW – living, breathing, and leaping proof that this
powerful company will be around for decades to come.”
Chicago Theater Beat 2012
“When the curtain falls and the evening ends, there are a lot of grateful, happily satisfied customers.”
Time Out Chicago 2012
“The engagement […] boasted seven pieces in all, and they combined to show off the troupe’s terrific dancers
and its knack for programming upbeat, entertaining jazz dance.”
Chicago Tribune 2012
“Not only is this a troupe of topflight dancers supported by the most polished design work. But even more
crucially, it is a company that has steadily been building its repertoire, and in doing so has amassed a wide
range of pieces that suggest the ever-broadening definition of ‘Jazz-based dance.’”
Chicago Sun-Times 2011
“Showed just how much there is to celebrate in its anniversary.”
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2012
“There was no shortage of exceptional choreography and dancing.”
Chicago Reader 2011
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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.”
AOTPR.com 2012
Giordano Dance Chicago Review
Harris Theater for Music & Dance - Chicago, IL | October 26 & 27, 2012 | Performance reviewed: October 26
By Laura Molzahn
Many of life’s building blocks—marriages, homes,
careers—don’t last 50 years. But Giordano Dance
Chicago has not only survived the tribulations of
the last half-century, it’s weathered them well.
Though the company moniker no longer includes
the word “jazz,” the late Gus Giordano was an
early jazz-dance practitioner. And the opening
concert of GDC’s 50th-anniversary season was
like a primer for jazz dance—a primer that
definitely included updates. The seven short,
entertaining works on this program, set to pop
music of various eras and overseen by artistic
director Nan Giordano, made that abundantly
clear despite the dance world’s continued blurring of genres.
GDC Dancers Lindsey LaFountain and Zachary Heller
Photo: Gorman Cook Photography
GDC artistic associate and occasional dancer Autumn Eckman provided the continuity, performing the
earliest work on the program and choreographing the latest (her seventh for the company). In Gus
Giordano’s 1978 solo Wings, the 34-year-old Eckman was as yearning and powerful as the music: Joan
Baez’s rendition of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” Triumphant in her sky-scraping extensions, vulnerable in
her poignant reaching, Eckman expertly caught the spiritual heart and jazz classicism of Wings.
Eckman’s funky new G-Force, for two sets of two couples, takes a totally different direction. Set to tracks
by grime/dubstep electronica artist Starkey, this octet came closer than any other work on the program
to hip-hop: often, after suspending their weight during the music’s syncopations, the dancers dropped
it, sliding toward the floor, hips thrust forward in a loping skip. The dancers wore neon blue or green,
and Kam Hobbs’ bravura lighting turned their skin into lurid new colors, notably purple and PeptoBismol pink. Snatches of text in the music, combined with the dancers’ confrontations, suggested a
competition between space aliens.
The remaining repertory works, which spanned the last 13 years, revealed the storytelling potential of
jazz dance, which can sketch a plot and characters in record time. Mark Swanhart’s punchy but too-cute
2004 Sidecar, for example, limns a comic nightmare in which the dreamer—complete with
superpowers—pursues a woman through throngs of wrong suitors. Company member Lindsey Leduc’s
2009 duet Gravity perfectly echoes the sexy but despairing love affair described in Sara Bareilles’s
bittersweet song, “Gravity.” The willowy Meredith Schultz deftly traced the yielding protagonist, while
Sean Rozanski was forceful as her nemesis/lover.
Long before Mia Michaels became a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, she created Le Grand Futur
Is Here! (1999) for GDC. This story opens with a crowd of exhausted 1930s marathon dancers, numbers
pinned to the backs of their costumes, and proceeds through some surreal escapades (including an
apparent prison break), perhaps representing the dancers’ hallucinations. Eckman’s 2012 JOLT, whose
roots lie in juba, takes the company through the hyper-jitters of a major caffeine buzz (reviewed here),
while the 2011 Sabroso, by Del Dominguez and Laura Flores, transports everyone to a slightly wearying
Latin dance party. Martin Ortiz Tapia and Maeghan McHale were outstanding—in Sabroso and in many
other featured roles.
The GDC dancers gave top-notch performances in impeccably concise, professional choreography. But
for me, the very legibility of jazz dance can be an obstacle to engagement. The dancers’ bows—which
generally followed from or even extended the stories—were like bows on packages already too neatly
wrapped.
Giordano marks 50 years with sweeping program
Posted in chicgotribune.com Arts & Leisure by Sid Smith –October 28 , 2012
The troupe now known as Giordano Dance Chicago is celebrating its 50th-anniversary season, and
performances over the weekend offered samples of its works drawn from a wide sweep of those five
decades.
There was Gus Giordano's classic solo "Wings" from 1978 and a new piece from Autumn Eckman, the
troupe's artistic associate. The engagement Friday and Saturday at the Harris Theater boasted seven
pieces in all, and they combined to show off the troupe's terrific dancers and its knack for programming
upbeat, entertaining jazz dance.
Eckman's new "G-Force" is another stylistic departure, part of her effort to try out a new approach with
every piece. This one has a vaguely sci-fi, other worldly feel, as if the dancers are peaceable creatures
from another realm or even molecular particles, engaging in all sorts of inventive odd moves and
acrobatic combinations, set to the slightly unreal music of Starkey. It takes a while to warm to its
novelty, and it gets better as it moves along, Eckman's kicky design more confident and eye-catching as
it progresses. But it's distinct in atmosphere, graced with a nifty lighting twist by designer Kam Hobbs,
transforming these creatures back into humans--or maybe yet another species, take your pick.
Shrewdly, Eckman, who dances infrequently, took on the solo "Wings," a kind of full-circle tribute, the
troupe's current resident choreographer saluting its founder. She did so beautifully, her graceful stage
command and smooth, slightly prolonged follow-through enabling a rich rendering of the emotions
embedded in the classic.
Other revivals included Mark Swanhart's delightful "Sidecar," from 2004, a kind of surrealistic comic
playground involving a hanging ladder, multiple falls to the floor, a blossoming but thwarted romance
and a smart musical potpourri, including the Platters' "Only You."
Mia Michaels' "Le Grand Futur Is Here!" is another other worldly romp, deliberately and deliciously sexy,
set to an imaginative score from Amon Tobin, blush with a slinky, slithery style and an evocative,
haunting image wherein the men tote women on their backs. And on Saturday, Lindsey Leduc
memorably performed her own original duet, "Gravity," from 2009, a feisty but sensual and exhilarating
romance, helped by able partner Sean Rozanski and the forceful sweeps of her flowing, kinetic hair.
Giordano Dance Chicago | Dance Review
Posted in Unscripted blog by Matthew de la Peña on October 26, 2012 at 4:56pm
The most entertaining dances seem to come from Giordano
Dance Chicago. Last night, the company celebrated its 50th
anniversary at the Harris Theater, and the troupe was
determined to spark something wild in the audience. Athletic
dancers get me every time. When I see performers attacking
like athletes, I think, “Yes, get it!” The program couldn’t have
spelled anything different—even contrasts like Autumn
Eckman’s touching solo from the late Gus Giordano, to the
feisty finish of the full ensemble.
The night begins with Le Grand Futur Is Here! by Mia Michaels
of So You Think You Can Dance fame. Her program headshot is
GDC Dancers Devin Buchanan, Maeghan McHale, Ashley Rockwood and
so outrageously over the top, it can’t help but draw attention:
Martin Ortiz Tapia. Photo: Gorman Cook Photography
her tongue sticking out, her mascara-heavy eyes squinting like
some crazed vampire from the Twilight saga. Thank God it’s not a reflection of the piece, a futuristic suburbia dream
that GDC performs with aplomb. The male dancers dangle the women over their shoulders, moving like lost souls in
purgatory. The energy picks up and the gyrations begin, most notably when one sequence begins with a rope prop.
Eckman follows with Wings, a solo by Gus Giordano. The piece is short, but touching. Set to a cappella version of “Swing
Low, Sweet Chariot” by Joan Baez, the rather melancholy ballad is a nice accent to the flowery white costume and the
fluid choreography. And Eckman's legs—wow! They seem to inch higher with each ascending note.
The world premiere of Eckman’s G-Force is like watching science in motion. Two quartets move in perpetual action, like
a physics project brought to life. Here, again, we see the athleticism of GDC. In costumes that resemble something from
a sci-fi flick, the technique is solid and the choreography is constant. It re-enforces the idea that G-Force is, in fact, “the
force of acceleration on a body in motion,” as it says in the program.
Sabroso from Del Dominguez and Laura Flores concludes the first half of the performance. The cast assembles to
perform a sweet, but not necessarily substantive fusion of ballroom, flamenco and jazz. It’s fun, lively and gets a good
roar from the crowd with its “join us” vibe, though it’s less engaging than the other pieces in the program.
Mark Swanhart’s second half opening number Sidecar is a bit bubbly, but it has its charms. A pedestrian gets lost in his
own fantasy, chasing a girl while everything and everybody can’t help but get in the way. The women wear striped socks
and doll-like skirts. The men wear overalls, jeans and suspenders, like characters from a fable. A long ladder falls from
overhead, which is remeniscient of a Jack and the Beanstalk-type story, about a boy who ventures into someone else’s
fantasy and isn’t necessarily the most welcome.
Gravity follows—a duet from GDC ensemble member Lindsey Leduc. The piece alludes to young romance, almost sappy
to a degree, but can be delightfully engaging. The choreography is quite seamless, despite its gushy theme, utilizing the
full scope of the stage to bring these two lovebirds together.
And finally, Jolt, with choreography from Eckman and concept/staging by Nan Giordano, closes the night and proves to
be an overwhelming crowd pleaser. The percussive beats of pots and pans, spoons and cups throb in the background,
while the GDC troupe bumps and grinds in a STOMP-like rhythm. The energy infuses the theater, and with the exception
of some cartoonish line routines across the stage that extend into the wings, the piece picks up and finishes like a
clenched fist ready to take a swing. When the curtain falls and the evening ends, there are a lot of grateful, happily
satisfied customers.