Chicago DanzTheatre Presents BINDIS AND BRUISES and ECUENTROS

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble continues with their 15th season dedicated to the woman's voice. True to their social justice mission of "Performance With A Purpose," CDE creates change through one voice, one story, one person at a time with Bindis and Bruises and Encuentros. Bindis and Bruises, conceived and co-choreographed by ensemble member Priya Narayan and directed and co-choreographed by EllyzaBeth Adler, tells the individual stories of eight women suffering from sexual, dating and domestic abuse in Indian-American culture, which occurs regularly all over the world, but is rarely discussed. Despite their individual struggles, each finds a way towards healing.

Bindis and Bruises weaves together the stories through dance and theatre to uncover inner strength and hope with a unified voice, addressing the fact that one out of four women will be victims of abuse. This multiracial cast of 10 women breaks down the stereotypes and shame that often silences victims. CDE's founder and Executive Director Adler is a survivor of dating violence and rape from a college relationship. Her experience is what impactEd Adler to form a company that tackles social justice issues; however, this is the first time that CDE is creating a show around the topic.

"When Priya approached me two years ago with the concept for Bindis, I knew that this was the right time to finally start talking publicly about my experience," said Adler. "Since then, many other women have come forward to share their story." Narayan's impetuous for developing the productions came out the brutal 2012 gang rape of Jhoydi Singh in New Delhi, so she looked at her own community in America and the silence and shame that comes from abuse. On the same program, CDE will present Encuentros, choreographed by Silvita Diaz Brown of Sildance/AcroDanza, which integrates dance, sound, text and acrobatics in a triptych representing relationships through infatuation, imperfection and self-actualization. The 30-minute program of Encuentros explores the journey a couple takes and on a political level, gender equality within the patriarchy.

Bindis and Bruises and Encuentros run approximately two hours with one 15-minute intermission between each piece. Bindis and Bruises will extend for one more weekend on March 18 and 19. A special portion of proceeds will be donated to a local women's organization. A panel discussion will take place after each show on the final weekend.

Bindis and Bruises and Encuentros will perform at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster, Chicago, IL 60640. Free street parking on Foster and neighboring streets; CTA Bus Stops #9, #50, #92

TICKETS: 773-486-8261 and www.brownpapertickets.com $15 | Advance$20 | Door$10 | College Students and Seniors (with ID) FREE to high school and elementary age students

CAST: [Bindis and Bruises] Alexandra Elam, Shakala Kulkarni, Brittany Harlin, Susanna Hostetter, Jillian Leff, Sara Maslanka, Ana Martinez Medina, Priya Narayan, Maren Rosenberg, and Lucía Mier y Terán. [Encuentros] Silvita Diaz Brown, Carlos Lopez, Christopher Knowlton, Ingrid Larson and Tatiana Sanchez.

STAFF: [Bindis and Bruises] EllyzaBeth Adler (Director and Choreographer), Ashley Bowman (Production Manager), Mike Goebel (Light Design, Bread and Roses Productions), Sara Maslanka (Artistic Director), Priya Narayan (Conception and Choreographer) and Maren Rosenberg (Co-Writer).

[Encuentros] Silvita Diaz Brown (Choreographer/Director), Elizabeth Collins (Costume Design), John Lawrence Geary (Musician/Composer), and Lani Montreal (Dramaturg/Writer).

ALSO: CDE is partnering with the Women Empowerment Organization for Inner Voices Workshops, aimed to

help diverse women connect with their creativity and are open to the public. Date and time to be determined. For more information, visit www.danztheatre.org

Partnering with Ebenezer's artists in residency, the Windy City Gay Men's Chorus, Chi-Town Squares, and other musicians, CDE will raise funds for the maintenance and improvement of Ebenezer Lutheran Church on Saturday, February 14 at 8 p.m., $20 tickets.