River North Kicks Off Eat the Beat at the Harris Theatre, 11/12

Highly acclaimEd Harris Theater Resident Company, the River North Chicago Dance Company will kick off the second season of the Theater's wildly successful Eat to the Beat lunchtime series on Friday, November 12, 2010 at 12 pm.  Designed to help break up the monotony of the workday, audience members are encouraged to enjoy their brown bag lunch while experiencing this exciting jazz-based company in a spectacular, one hour program that will include a sneak preview of a world premiere work by emerging choreographer Sidra Bell. (Park Grill box lunches are also available for advance purchase.) Individual tickets priced at $5, and a subscription to all four programs is $10, ensuring that the program is accessible for anyone to enjoy live dance. Tickets are available at the Harris Theater box office located in Millennium Park at 205 E. Randolph Dr., by calling 312-334-7777 or by visiting www.harristheaterchicago.org.

Geared towards those who live, work, attend school, or find themselves in the vicinity of the Harris during the workday lunch hour, the second season of the popular Eat to the Beat lunchtime series features an expanded lineup of four programs; in addition to River North Chicago Dance Company, another celebratEd Harris resident company Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago will be showcased, as well as the esteemed Chicago High School for the Arts and the Chicago premiere of the exciting Chicago Academy for the Arts Repertory Dance Company.  The inaugural 2009-2010 series featured three different performances by DanceWorks Chicago.
 
"The Harris Theater is so pleased that one of our celebrated resident companies, River North Chicago Dance Company, will launch the second season of our hugely successful Eat to the Beat series," said Michael Tiknis, President and Managing Director of the Harris Theater. "Last season, we were able to introduce thousands of new people to live dance through this unique, accessible and affordable series. This season we are delighted to expand the series and present even more of this energizing programming to the community, as we collaborate with our renowned resident companies and arts education partners."
 
 
About River North Chicago Dance
 
Founded in 1989 by four visionary dancers/choreographers, River North Chicago Dance Company has established itself as one of Chicago's leading dance companies, receiving critical acclaim both on a national and international level.  Under the direction of Artistic Director Frank Chaves, the jazz-based contemporary company embodies a true flavor of "Americana" in its dynamic repertoire.
 
From Frank Chaves to the dancers whose artistry and talent have mesmerized a nation, River North Chicago Dance Company brings a bold standard of excellence to the cultural landscape of many communities.  The Company is recognized for its highly skilled and emotive dancers, stimulating music, and bold and commanding choreography.
With tremendous growth in its popularity, River North Chicago Dance Company has catapulted it from a local dance "group" to the status of one of the country's most dynamic, nationally recognized professional companies. Each season, the Company brings energetic, marvelously trained performers and a gutsy, entertaining repertoire to thousands of new fans.
 
The works demonstrate depth and sophistication, yet what remains constant is the commitment to creating an accessible, enriching experience for audiences comprised of seasoned dance patrons as well as those having their first encounter with concert dance.  Additional information about the company can be found at: http://www.rivernorthchicago.com.

Program information for the Harris Theater's 2010 - 2011 Eat to the Beat Series is as follows:
Eat to the Beat: River North Chicago Dance Company
Friday, November 12, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Tickets are $5.
With an eclectic repertoire which spans "from ballroom to ballet....this is a company that can do it all." (Chicago Sun-Times) Come experience for yourself the great variety of this renowned jazz-based company with this artistically diverse performance-including a sneak preview of a world premiere work by emerging choreographer Sidra Bell, and highlights from works to be performed on their upcoming November and February programs at the Harris Theater.

Eat to the Beat: Chicago High School for the Arts
Friday, January 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Tickets are $5.
With an incredible interdisciplinary tour-de-force, the brilliant young students from the renowned Chicago High School for the Arts will showcase their extraordinary talents in a performance featuring each of the school's artistic areas of concentration. From the stage of the Harris Theater, ChiArts students of dance, theatre, choral and jazz music will exhibit their exceptional skill, while an installation by the school's visual artists will be displayed in the lobby.
 
Eat to the Beat: Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago
Friday, March 25, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Tickets are $5.
Experience the high-energy high-impact performance and the enthralling art that defines one of Chicago's most ethnically diverse dance companies. Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago captivates audiences with "technical mastery and stamina that had [the] packed house audibly gasping." (Chicago Sun-Times) From traditional jazz dance to the contemporary works of today, their incredible canon of repertoire spans nearly 50 years.
 
Eat to the Beat: Chicago Academy for the Arts
Friday, May 13, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Tickets are $5.
Witness the future of dance when Chicago's most thrilling young talent from the area's most acclaimed performing arts academy take the stage of the Harris Theater. Don't miss the stars of tomorrow in the debut of the Chicago Academy for the Arts Repertory Dance Company, performing works by Randy Duncan, Joseph Holmes, Eddy Ocampo, and other renowned choreographers. 
 
 
Subscription packages for the Harris Theater Eat to the Beat lunchtime series are $10 for four performances and individual tickets are $5 each. Tickets are available at the Harris Theater box office located in Millennium Park at 205 E. Randolph Dr., by calling 312-334-7777 or by visiting www.harristheaterchicago.org.

The Chauncey & Marion D. McCormick Family Foundation is the Lead Foundation Sponsor of the Eat to the Beat Lunchtime Series.
United Airlines is the Official Airline of the Harris Theater.

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is the Lead Underwriter of the Harris Theater's Rental Subsidy Program.

The Harris Theater is partially supported by the CityArts Program 4 grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

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