Harris Theater's EAT TO THE BEAT, Family Series to Return During 2013-14 season

The Harris Theater's 10th season sees the return of the popular lunchtime Eat to the Beat and Family Series, which offer fun and family-friendly performances, all at an affordable price.

The Harris Theater's 2013-2014 Eat to the Beat season includes six exciting performances: Deeply Rooted Dance Theater (Nov. 1, 2013), DanceWorks Chicago (Jan. 30, 2014), Chicago High School for the Arts (March 6, 2014), Trey McIntyre Project featuring students from the Music Institute of Chicago (April 4, 2014), Music Institute of Chicago (April 23, 2014) and Chicago Academy for the Arts (May 28, 2014). For the Harris Theater's 10th season, the DanceWorks Chicago performance will take place in the evening at 5:30 pm so guests can enjoy a "Dance Hour" after a hard day's work. The rest of the Eat to the Beat performances are scheduled to start at 12 pm and guests can buy lunch from some of Chicago's best local food trucks on lower Randolph drive, or bring a bag lunch.

The Harris Theater Family Series - a program aimed at fostering the next generation of arts lovers - includes three fun, interactive programs from the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (November 23, 2013), tap sensation and Tony Award winner Savion Glover (January 25, 2014) and the critically-acclaimed, Boise-based Trey McIntyre Project (April 5, 2014).

Tickets, subscriptions and lunchtime passes for Eat to the Beat and the Harris Theater Family Series are now available online at HarrisTheaterChicago.org, by phone at 312-334-7777, or in person at the Harris Theater Box Office at 205 E. Randolph Drive in Chicago.

The Harris Theater's 2013-2014 season's Eat to the Beat performances:

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
November 1, 2013
The mission of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater is to re-imagine and diversify the aesthetics of contemporary dance by bringing together modern, classical, and African-American traditions in dance. In its uncompromising pursuit of excellence in performance, the development of new choreography, the training of dancers, and the creation of a diverse audience, the company seeks to demonstrate how art and beauty play a transformative role in society.

DanceWorks Chicago
January 30, 2014
The beat goes on with Eat (and Drink) to the Beat, a NEW addition to the Harris Theater's menu of offerings this season. Innovative partner DanceWorks Chicago returns to the stage with vibrant dancers, fresh choreographic voices, and a program that will send you dancing into the night.

Chicago High School for the Arts
March 6, 2014
The mission of The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) is to provide artistically gifted, diverse Chicago high school students intensive pre-professional training in the arts, combined with a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum.

Trey McIntyre Project featuring students from the Music Institute of Chicago
April 4, 2014
The highly innovative Trey McIntyre Project (TMP) returns to the Harris Theater with an exciting premiere of a Harris-commissioned work. Talented local student musicians from the Music Institute of Chicago will perform live in this collaboration with TMP dancers. This hour-long performance is one that everyone can enjoy.

Music Institute of Chicago
April 23, 2014
The Music Institute of Chicago brings some of its most promising talent from the Community Music School and acclaimed Academy program to perform a selection of solo and chamber music classics. These award-winning musicians represent a variety of ages and feature accomplished young musicians from the Music Institute's wind, string and piano divisions.

Chicago Academy for the Arts
May 28, 2014
The Chicago Academy for the Arts' Repertory Dance Company returns to the Harris stage to showcase the professional training dancers receive under Artistic Director Randy Duncan. The Academy is Chicagoland's independent conservatory prep high school where aspiring scholar-artists master tools for critical thought and authentic creative expression.

The Harris Theater is grateful to the Chauncey & Marion D. McCormick Family Foundation for its underwriting support of the Eat to the Beat Series. In addition, the Theater is proud to recognize the following Eat to the Beat lead sponsors: Sarah Solotaroff Mirkin for DanceWorks Chicago's performance and Paul Boulis for Chicago High School for the Arts and Chicago Academy for the Arts' performances.

The Harris Theater's 2013-2014 Family Series performances:

Puerto Rican Arts Alliance: Loíza in Chicago
November 23, 2013
Loíza in Chicago will explore the West African and Spanish history of Puerto Rico's Vejigante tradition. This presentation will feature AfriCaribe, a local Bomba y Plena ensemble, for a show filled with percussion-driven music and dance forms rooted in African traditions and accompanied by vibrant Vejigantes masks and costumes.

Savion Glover
January 25, 2014
Savion Glover is best known for his wildly popular Broadway shows, including The Tap Dance Kid and the Tony Award-winning Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk as well as films such as Happy Feet 1 and 2. Children and their families will have the opportunity to experience Glover's genius as a tap master in a dynamic performance created specially by Glover for the Family Series.

Trey McIntyre Project featuring Music Institute of Chicago
April 5, 2014
Trey McIntyre is back at the Harris. This time with the world premiere of a Harris-commissioned work. Local musicians from Music Institute of Chicago will perform live in this collaboration.

The Harris Theater is grateful to Exelon, which is serving as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2013-2014 Family Series. The Theater is also proud to recognize Peter and Shana Ellis as lead sponsors for the Savion Glover performance.