River North Dance Chicago's 25th Anniversary Season to Open with 'SILVER,' 8/8-11 at Harris Theater

Celebrating a milestone 25th Anniversary Season, River North Dance Chicago (RNDC) forges into the fall with "Silver: 25th Anniversary Fall Engagement," October 8 - 11, 2014 at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph Dr.). Led by Artistic Director Frank Chaves, who "with his spot-on musicality and straight-up embrace of emotion, has set a strong course for River North Dance Chicago" ("Chicago Tribune"), the company celebrates the past while defining the future as they introduce the U.S. premiere of "Flesh" by hot Spanish choreographer Iván Pérez and the world premiere of Chaves's own work "In the End," while reviving a company staple, Sherry Zunker's "Reality of a Dreamer." Tickets ($30 - $75) for the Fall Engagement public performances (Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11) are on sale now at www.rivernorthchicago.com and www.harristheaterchicago.org or by calling 312.334.7777.

On October 8, RNDC hosts their annual Fall Engagement Gala featuring a performance at the Harris followed by a festive evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing at the Hilton Chicago (720 S. Michigan Ave.). Please see below for ticket information.

"It is an exciting time for River North Dance Chicago as we embark on our 25th Anniversary Season and look ahead to the next 25 years of meaningful and ground-breaking work," said Artistic Director Frank Chaves. "This company continues to push the boundaries of jazz and contemporary dance while staying true to our mission of presenting dynamic work with a bold, theatrical flair along with athletic prowess and artistic perspective; and we are excited to continue that mission over the next 25 years."

Looking towards the future, RNDC will present the U.S. premiere of Spanish choreographer Iván Pérez's "Flesh," the first time his work will be seen in America. Set for eight dancers, the highly emotive and elegant work dedicated to Pérez's parents after their death, is inspired by Keith Douglas's poem, "The Knife." Said Pérez, "In the poem, Douglas reveals the mystery of living in memory, the reminiscence of a past love and the permanence beyond flesh." The piece was hailed by "Dance Europe Magazine" stating "...In all this was self-assured choreography that was honest and spoke truly from the heart." For complete verses of "The Knife," visit http://tinyurl.com/RNDCTheKnife.

"I could not think of a better way to present 'Flesh' for the first time in the United States than with River North Dance Chicago," said Pérez. "It is truly an honor and I am thrilled for this personal piece to be presented during this extraordinary company's 25th Anniversary Season."

In celebration of the company's stunning 25 years, Frank Chaves will present his own world premiere during the anniversary engagement. Set to an evocative and lush piano and cello score by Zoe Keating, Secret Garden, Ezio Bosso and Anibel Arias y Osvaldo Montes, "In the End" is choreographed for all six male dancers of the company, exploring the emotional side of masculinity, expressing affection in a platonic way as well as the loss of the very basic need for human touch.

"I have had an all-male piece ruminating within me for a while, initially sparked by my first male duet in 'The Good Goodbyes' (2012)," said Chaves. "It is now revealing itself to me, through the music, to be a celebration of strength and beauty. Using relationships among men (of a non-romantic nature) and the various expressions of masculinity as a vehicle to explore a journey which we all face: our entry to this world begins in a raw and vulnerable state, only to be constricted by societal expectations placed upon us by politics, religion, family, etc. Ultimately, we can move beyond these constraints to stay true to ourselves. We are not defined by what society has in store for us."

Making its debut in 1992, "Reality of a Dreamer"-choreographed by RNDC's first Artistic Director, Sherry Zunker-catapulted the company to the national stage allowing the rest of the world to see the incredible talent that was being created in Chicago. "Considered River North's signature piece-the mesmerizing moody 'Reality of a Dreamer...' showcased the feline moves, raw sensuality and jaw-dropping agility of the ensemble." ("Chicago Tribune") That same year, HMS Media produced the first of three documentaries about River North, also titled "Reality of a Dreamer," that was broadcast nationally on PBS and garnered an Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment as well as the Silver Plaque from the Chicago International Film Festival for Outstanding Cultural Programming. Set to Eurythmics' iconic 'Sweet Dreams,' this work's original intent-celebrating the significance of the company and looking towards dreams yet to be realized-still holds deep significance 22 years later during the company's 25th Anniversary.

Other pieces showcased in the Fall Engagement include Adam Barruch's "I Close My Eyes Until the End," which he created specifically for RNDC in 2012, set to Olafur Arnalds' "Lokaou Augunim" and "Til Enda;" and Chaves's own "The Mourning" a dramatic and passionate duet originally created in 2003 that "marked a revelatory moment in the choreographer's harmonious partnering skills" ("Chicago Tribune").