Dane Campbell Given The 2009 Dance Chicago's Choreographer Of The Year Award

Dance Chicago, in conjunction with the Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation, awarded Dane Campbell the 2009 Dance Chicago Choreographer of the Year Award.

He was selected based on the three pieces he created for the 15th annual Dance Chicago festival. Those distinctive works and performance locations were:
· Be Our Guest (Full Effect Dance Theatre) (11/7 and 11/15 Theatre Building Chicago)
· Jook Joint (Full Effect Dance Theatre) (11/31 North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie)
· Hip Hop Matrix (Full Effect Dance Theatre) (12/12 Music Institute of Chicago, Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston)

He received a $1,000 prize from the Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation, which was presented at a reception in the Cliff Dwellers Club on Friday, December 18th. As Chairman and Artistic Director of Full Effect Dance Theatre, Campbell has helped craft FEDT from a Chicago juke dance squad to a film and stage performance company said to be "the training ground for tomorrow's entertainer". Full Effect dancers have worked with artists such as Missy Elliott, Ciara, Keyshia Cole, Lupe Fiasco, Beyonce, Olivia, R Kelly, Xscape, just to name a few. They have appeared in several music videos and even Verizon Wireless commercials. After winning a slot on the nationally syndicated Randy Jackson's America's Best Dance Crew (MTV), in 2008, the company toured Europe bringing Chicago's unique style to Italy. Their unique dance style, innovative choreography, and breath-taking theatrics have set them apart in the Midwest Hip Hop dance market.

Now in its eighth year, the Choreographer of the Year award is presented annually to the choreographer who represents the highest artistic level of choreography during the month-long Dance Chicago festival, gains favorable responses from the audiences or press, and distinguishes themselves as a new and significant face in Chicago choreography. Past winners of the Choreographer of the Year award include Julia Rhoads (2002), Paul Christiano (2003), Lauri Stallings (2004), Eddy Ocampo (2005 and 2007), Brock Clawson (2006) and Lizzie MacKenzie (2008).

"Dane is the perfect choice for the Choreographer of the Year award," said John Schmitz, Artistic Director and Curator of Dance Chicago. "His works have some of the most thrilling dance moves and those that saw the jaw-dropping performances were awestruck. Dane Campbell embodies everything the Dance Chicago Choreographer of the Year Award represents."

In addition to the Choreographer of the Year award, Wilfredo Rivera and Christopher McCray were awarded the Dance Chicago Outstanding Choreographer (Body of Work) Award for their significant contributions to the 2009 festival. Receiving Dance Chicago Outstanding Choreography Awards (New Voice) were:
· Autumn Eckman
· Laura Kariotis
· Madeline J. Renwick

For more information on Dance Chicago, visit www.dancechicago.com

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