Chicago Dancers United to Host Gala Reception Before DANCE FOR LIFE CHICAGO

Chicago Dancers United (CDU), which mobilizes Chicago's dance community by raising funds through dance, hosts a festive gala reception August 19 at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., prior to the 26th annual Dance for Life Chicago performance at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Pkwy.

The evening begins at 5 p.m. in the Hilton's Grand Ballroom with cocktails and a "summer supper." Guests then proceed to the Auditorium Theatre for Dance for Life Chicago 2017, this year featuring eight companies: Partner Dance Companies that perform each year-Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and The Joffrey Ballet-are joined this year by a collaboration between Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater and Trinity Irish Dance Company; Jessica Miller Tomlinson Choreography; and Visceral Dance Chicago. The performance concludes with a celebratory grand finale work choreographed by Randy Duncan to music by Andy Mitran. Emcees for the evening are Carisa Barreca of The Second City and another emcee to be announced.

Co-chairs for Dance for Life Chicago 2017 are Jennifer Edgcomb, vice president at GEM Realty Capital Inc.; Erica Edwards, director of community engagement for Joffrey Ballet; and Aaron Weiss, supervising attorney with the Cook County Public Guardian's Office.

Proceeds from Dance for Life Chicago support Chicago Dancers United's The Dancers' Fund, which provides assistance to members of the dance community coping with critical health and life issues, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

Dance for Life Chicago 2017 is sponsored, in part, by the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, Hilton Chicago, Barbara Levy Kipper, MB Financial, NIB Foundation, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, HMS Media, Paterno Group, Bell Litho Inc., Athletico Physical Therapy, The Geraghty, the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago and Jewell Event Catering. Special thanks to Dance for Life Chicago 2017's Producers and Dance Captains.

Dance for Life Chicago, which takes place Saturday, August 19, begins at 5 p.m. with a gala reception and buffet dinner at the Hilton Chicago Grand Ballroom, 720 S. Michigan Ave., and continues with the performance at 7:30 p.m. at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy. Tickets are $275-600 for both the gala reception and performance and $15-75 for the performance only and are available by phone at 312.341.2300, online at chicagodancersunited.org or in person at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office.

Dance for Life Chicago is the annual benefit dance concert presenting and showcasing the city's unique diversity of talent, dance traditions and styles by bringing together talented, world-renowned professional dancers from Chicago for one night on the same stage. The dance community unites artistically to support those affected by critical health and other life issues by generously donating their time, energy and artistry to the cause. During the past 25 years, Dance for Life Chicago has presented 33 Chicago-based, professional dance companies and numerous choreographers. Proceeds from Dance for Life Chicago support The Dancers' Fund, which provides assistance to members of the dance community coping with critical health and life issues, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

Dance for Life Chicago uses the art of dance to make a difference in people's lives. In response to the changing needs of Chicago's dance community, evolutions in the nature of HIV/AIDS, the growth of the annual event and its other programs, Dance for Life Chicago has grown into a nonprofit organization, Chicago Dancers United (CDU). CDU engages Chicago's dance community to support organizations and dance community professionals dealing with critical health and other life issues causing significant financial, emergency or catastrophic hardships, including, but not limited to, HIV/AIDS, through dance.

Proceeds from Dance for Life Chicago 2017 benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and CDU's The Dancers' Fund, which began in response to the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the dance community. The fund now offers assistance in, but not limited to, housing, utilities, insurance, medication and travel. As a unified dance community in Chicago, CDU uses dance to support a stronger and healthier community by focusing on its health and well-being through The Dancers' Fund and Dance for Life Chicago.

Photo by Todd Rosenberg Photography.